One & Two
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CHAPTER ONE
“ Stop it Eddie ! You ’ re scaring me ,” Tanya yelled , pushing the imaginary brake peddle on her side of the pickup . The big , silver F-250 barreled down the service road of the north freeway , flying past the blur of colored neon lights . Interstate 45 spanned the length of Texas from Galveston to Dallas . This section of freeway , just east of Houston , had every food franchise , retail outlet and bail bondsman you could imagine .
Here we go again , Eddie thought . “ What ? I ’ m driving the way I always drive ,” he said , as the Déjà Vu sensation passed . Tanya had suggested they take separate cars out to dinner , Eddie said , “ No way !” and offered her , her choice of dining establishments . She was losing her appetite . The evening sun glared through the window . Tanya couldn ' t see where Eddie was looking . His eyes hidden behind a pair of Costas del Mar , mirrored sunglasses . She wondered if he was eyeing the traffic or the legs of the blonde in the sports car which he seemed to keep pace with . “ Are you watching the road ?” she asked . “ I ’ m a professional driver . I ’ m always watching the road . If I drive aggressively , it ’ s just a habit ,” Eddie stated as if that put his jerky outing into proper perspective . “ Habit ? What , so now you ’ re Mario Andretti drafting a Porsche ? Better change lanes and cut off the mini-van about to get to the red light ahead of you ,” Tanya said , her manicured nails digging into the leather arm rest . " Once , I would like to make it to a restaurant for dinner without feeling like I ’ m about to toss lunch .”
Eddie braked . The truck slowed . “ I ’ m sorry . I ’ m a thoughtless jerk who loves you enough to slow down . Look , I ’ m going the speed limit ,” he grinned , placing his hand on hers . Tanya ’ s knuckles were losing some of their tense whiteness . His fingers laced with hers . He glanced at the diamond ring he had given her seventeen years ago and knew she deserved to have a bigger stone gracing her delicate finger . “ So , where are we eating ?” Choosing the most expensive restaurant she could think of “ Del Frisco ' s Double Eagle Steak House comes to mind .” Eddie paused , “ Mmm ... O ... K ... That sounds good to me ...” Eddie knew he ’ d easily drop two to three Franklin ’ s at Del Frisco ’ s . In his mind , bigger rock or phenomenal filet , sated spouse or couch night , he was the winner on this trade up . His better half simmered . Eddie turned on the radio , he hated the silence .
Eddie found a parking space and ran around the truck to open her door . She knew she couldn ' t stay angry with him for long . As Tanya stepped from the vehicle , he pulled her into his arms . “ I love you and I would never hurt you ,” he said , holding her tight and kissing her deep . Tanya didn ’ t want to kiss him back . She didn ’ t want to give in but it was impossible . There was no way she could look into his sad eyes , whenever he upset her , which from the beginning happened daily , and stay pissed off . The recklessness Eddie exhibited , when they first started dating , was exciting . Tanya ’ s life had been very predictable , that is until Eddie stepped in and swept her off her feet . She thought when they had their first child , a baby girl who he cherished , he would grow up . Eddie was now thirty-seven going on seventeen .
Stepping from his arms , she walked toward the steakhouse . He bounced after her . Tanya felt like she was in high school on a first date every time they went out together . His enthusiasm for life was contagious and it never waned . Eddie pulled open the large wooden door . The sound and smell of food being prepared erupted from within . He started to enter ahead of her , paused , turned , donned his most charming smile and escorted her past his out-stretched arm . She poked him in the ribs as she passed . He bent down and was kissing her neck as the hostess said , “ Table for two ?” Tanya nodded . Eddie was busy and ignored the lovely , young auburn , haired girl that escorted them to their table .
The booth awaited and Eddie still had his face buried in Tanya ’ s black , silky , shoulder length hair . She struggled to break his grip as people began to stare . “ Enough !” she laughed and punched his shoulder . “ Why do you do that ?” she asked . “ So I can prove my wife beats me ,” he said , sliding in next to her and pulling up his sleeve to show the red mark left from the blow . “ No one would believe you for a second .” He cowered .