Zara

They returned to the town square the next day and stopped at a food stall near the edge.

The girl behind the counter was young. She moved fast, wrapping samosas, counting change, shouting orders.

Ned watched her, the food, the money.

-She is quite pretty, isn't she? Ned asked Meerka.

Meerka looked at the girl. She was sweating, her hair messy, but she had bright, intelligent eyes.

-She is very efficient, Meerka said.

-She is both, Ned said. Go talk to her. Ask her how she manages the cash flow.

Meerka hesitated, then stepped forward. She asked her questions. The girl, Zara, answered between customers. She was sharp.

-What are you, trying to take over the business? Zara asked, looking up at Meerka

-There’s lots of room to hock food, Ned offered.

He stepped up beside Meerka and leaned against the counter. He smiled.

-You should come for supper, Ned said to Zara. Meerka is cooking lamb. You can tell us if someone would buy it.

Zara paused. She wiped her hands on her apron. She looked from Meerka to Ned. Her gaze lingered on him.

-I might, she said, a small smile playing on her lips. How could I refuse such charming company?

Ned scribbled his address on a scrap of paper. He slid it across the counter.

-We eat at eight.

Now, the clock on the wall said eight-thirty.

Meerka was humming in the kitchen, but it was a nervous sound. The table was set for three.

-She got lost, Meerka said, adjusting a fork for the third time.

Ned sat at the head of the table. He was drinking wine from a glass that caught the candlelight. He didn't look at the door.

-She isn't coming, Ned said.

-She seemed interested. She smiled at you.

-She smiled at a rich man, it happens a lot, Ned said.

He poured a second glass of wine. He pushed it toward Meerka’s seat.

-Sit.

-But the extra chair?

-Just another empty one.

Meerka sat. She looked at the third plate.

-I wanted to ask her more about the suppliers.

-Suppliers are easy. You need to make more money than you spend.

He reached over and took the wine glass from the empty setting and poured it into his own.

He gestured to the lamb.

-Eat, Meerka. It’s just us.

Meerka took a sip of her wine. She looked at Ned. She didn’t think he looked upset or heartbroken that the pretty girl hadn't shown up. He was just eating dinner.

-You aren't disappointed? she asked.

-About what? he asked absent-mindedly. I’m here, you’re here. Everything’s still here.