Free Saving Scotty by Annie Jocoby

Ryan was deliberate and cool. “Christmas. Yes. Staying in a ski town over Christmas is out of this world. My ex and I sometimes spent our Christmases in Gstaad. It was always an amazing adventure during that time. We also went there at other times during the years. What about you? Did you visit Italy during the year, or only at Christmastime?”
    “No, only during Christmas. That was our thing.”
    Bingo. So, now we had the town in St. Croix, and we were reasonably sure that the pervert was there with my Scotty, as opposed to being at one of the other places around the world. So, now, let’s leave. I was now chomping at the bit.
    Ryan wasn’t quite ready, though. “So, Italy, Greece and St. Croix. Quite diverse vacation homes. Did you guys go anywhere else?”
    “Yes, of course. We adored travel. China, Russia, Australia, Japan, India, Egypt. You name the country, and we probably went there. Unless it was war-torn, of course.”
    Ryan nodded his head. “But you just went to these places to visit, though, right? Or did you have homes elsewhere as well?”
    “Yeah, we just visited these places. Our only homes were in Greece, Italy and St. Croix.”
    I felt my knee moving a mile a minute under the table. I got out my phone and texted Ryan. “Come on, let’s move.”
    Ryan felt his phone buzz. “Would you excuse me? I didn’t want to say anything, but I’m expecting a call. My mother has been sick in the hospital. I need to see if this text has anything to do with that.”
    “Of course,” Elle said, but I could see the disappointment in her eyes.
    At that, Ryan got up from the table.
    I just looked at Elle through my thick glasses. She smiled warmly at me, but looked around, waiting for Ryan to return.
    “So, how long have you been working with Ryan?” she asked politely.
    “Uh, not long. About three months. I’m really happy to be able to get the chance to work on animal rights projects though.”
    “And what do you do?”
    “Well, right now, I’m really just in training. But I hope to become the liaison between the foundation and outside funding sources. I mean, our organization doesn’t take in the money, but we find people to give it to. Grants and that sort of thing.” I hope that she doesn’t ask me much more, because I really don’t know what I’m going to say.
    She nodded her head. “ Its good work you guys are doing.”
    “You too,” I said.
    Then we both looked around the restaurant uncomfortably. I didn’t want any more small talk, and neither did Elle, apparently. She smiled at me, again, more plastic this time.
    Finally, after what seemed like ages, but probably was only a few minutes, Ryan reappeared. He had a very serious look on his face. “I’m so sorry. My mother has taken a turn for the worse. I, uh, will have to cut this dinner short. I paid the tab . But, I’ll be in touch about our partnership.”
    Elle nodded. “I’m very sorry to hear that. I hope that your mother gets better.”
    “Me too,” he said. Then he looked at me. “Sorry, Nico. But looks like we have to be getting back to Kansas City ASAP.”
    I took a deep breath. Thank you, Ryan. I stood up. “Elle, it’s very nice to have met you. Sorry we couldn’t get to know each other better.”
    “Yes, it was very nice meeting you, too.”
    Ever the gentleman, Ryan said “Can I escort you back to your car?”
    “That would be wonderful.”
    So, the two of us escorted her back to her car, which was in an underground parking garage. Elle gave both us a hug goodbye, and she looked longingly into Ryan’s eyes. “I really hope to see you soon, Ryan,” she said. “Maybe on a more personal basis next time?”
    Ryan nodded his head but said nothing. “Perhaps. At any rate, we can really make a difference to those puppies by working together, can’t we?”
    Elle tried to hide her disappointment at the obvious rejection. “Yes, we sure can,” she said weakly. Then she blushed, ran her hands through her hair, and