Page 17 of When Sinners Fear
“One whiskey, a hot dog and nachos,” I give him my order with a soft smile, a little less flustered than I was a few minutes ago.
He leads me to one of the tall tables around the small bar area and helps me up onto the cocktail stool before heading to order. As I sit and wait, the anxious feeling returns, like we shouldn’t really be doing this – the drinking. But today has been more fun than I’ve had in a long time. It’s been childish, fun, exciting, and nothing like I’d imagine a first proper date with Knox Cortez.
He comes back with drinks in hand, this time with a tall, clear glass alongside a short one. If I had to bet, I’d say there was even more amber liquid sloshing around the ice cubes than there was the first time.
“Try this,” he says, handing it over to me.
I sip, and an instant thud of sweet, bubbly lemonade hits my taste buds. I look up at him, surprised. “This is alcohol?”
“Vodka. And it's cheap, so it's weak.” He raises his glass in a toast. “To science.”
“To science.” I clink my glass to his before taking a long sip. Just like before, I can feel the warmth of the alcohol infuse through me. Sweeter maybe, but it's still there.
“Do you struggle with the science of religion?” Knox asks. I frown at him, trying to work out my answer.
“There is no science to religion, not that I can see, at least. It’s a belief system that many rely on. I’m not one of them and prefer facts.”
“You see things in black and white?”
“I wouldn’t describe it that way, no. But I can see why you’ve suggested it.”
I take another sip and am pleased when a waiter brings over a tray of food. I’ve not eaten like this since coming home, and there’s something comforting about grabbing fast food.
We both eat, happy to be distracted from our conversation. Although, I think I know Knox isn’t finished with his line of questioning.
“Can I ask, how did you know the answer to my question?” I scoop up a dollop of sour cream onto my nacho and keep my eyes off his.
“I read it at some point. I consume knowledge in a particularly useful way. If I read it, I retain it.” He takes another bite of his hotdog and brushes the crumbs.
“As in an eidetic memory?”
“Yeah.”
“You didn’t think you should have mentioned that to me before?”
He chuckles. “You changed the parameters of the quiz. It might not have worked out.”
We continue eating, and I drink the rest of my Vodka. Knox is right, and it’s easier with food. I still feel it in my head, though. Thankfully, the questions I have push the anxiety away.
“Tell me how you recall facts? Do you have to search for the information, or does it come to you? Do you know you know the answers?”
He finishes his hot dog, and I take a bite of mine. “It depends. When you started asking me the question, I had to run through what I’ve read in the past to find the answer. Other facts or information that’s more commonly used is automatic.”
“It’s fascinating. Does it help with your grasp of numbers?”
“I don’t know any different, but I imagine it gives me an edge. Drinking suits you. Softens your edge.”
“I have an edge?” I ask.
“You have inhibitions. If you want another date, we’ll be getting rid of them. I can’t promise another science museum next time, though.”
“I’m sure we could find more than science to discuss.” The words slip from my lips, but my eyes go wide in shock. I want to slap my hands over my mouth.
“We’ve not touched on morality yet. We still have time.”
The drink disappears, but Knox tops it up one last time before we head back out to take in more of the exhibitions. The alcohol has helped me find my voice, and I narrate our journey back around the space.
He listens, adds his comments, and also keeps close. He’s tactile, ensuring his hand rests at the small of my back for most of the time, and takes my hand as we thread through the crowd. I watch his confident stride and let my gaze travel across his shoulders. My mind is completely consumed by the man in front of me. I feel out of my depth and flustered when I look at him for too long, but I want to dare myself to keep watching all the same. He’s interesting, knowledgeable, and seems interested in me.