Free Second Chances by Claude Dancourt

focused on her companion again. Arthur sipped his drink.
    “So, I take my coffee black, no sugar and I speak Italian. You’re allergic to seafood. Even the score: tell me something about yourself.”
    She gave it a little thought before answering.
    “Christmas is my favorite time of the year.”
    “I had guessed that. Tell me something else.”
    His blue eyes on her were unsettling. Suddenly the young woman realized the dinner looked a lot like a date; which was probably his intention from the beginning. Once again, Arthur was playing tricks on her. She could not trust him; his actions always hid ulterior motives.
    “I live alone; I love children and I love my job at the Foundation; I play the piano; I love books and horror movies; I can’t keep a plant alive for more than two months. I love live concerts. Is that enough for you?”
    The avalanche of information was flooded with evident annoyance. Arthur backed into his chair. He didn’t understand why she sounded angry all of a sudden. Her temper fuelled his instantly.
    “You forgot about your favorite dessert and animal.”
    “Raspberry sorbet and cats.”
    Their appetizers stopped the growing argument. They ate in silence and the delicious food helped to settle their respective flaring moods. Arthur put down his fork first.
    “My turn, then. I visited Italy after Uni, and learned the language. I speak bits of French too, mostly because I dated women from the country. I used to do a lot of sports, but lately I lack the time except for occasional indoor training. I read so much during university I refuse to approach a book now. I listen to whatever the radio is playing; I have never had a relationship that lasted more than two weeks. I don’t have plants. I cannot remember the last time I took a proper holiday. I like chocolate. No preference for cats or dogs.”
    Maya looked closely at him. Who defined oneself with so many negations? Suddenly she doubted she knew who Arthur Pendleton was, at all.
    The food was incredible, and it helped finding a safer conservation topic, as Maya asked Arthur to tell her about Italy. She listened as he slowly opened up, talking about the beautiful of Venice and Florence. He described the wonderful buildings, the art and the Dolce Vita, and she discovered he could be simple and passionate, a side of him that was new for her and she actually liked. He still used irony to mock Italian Machismo, and exuberance, but he did it in a teasing way, to amuse her rather than to vex.
    “… Seriously, he could not be older than twelve. And here he was, parading and putting his sunglasses down his nose to wink at women twice his age. And it worked!”
    “They were probably making fun of him…”
    Arthur shook his head. “No, not at all. Believe me, I know when a woman is interested or not.”
    Maya opened her mouth to retort she had no doubt about it, and closed it in extremis. Arthur noticed her hesitation and fell silent, his grin vanishing quickly. Their waiter arrived to clear their plates; both welcomed the interruption.
    “May I bring you some desert? Coffee?”
    Maya shook her head.
    “Oh, no, thank you. I could not swallow another bit. It was delicious.”
    “Caffe dopio per me.”
    “Si signore.”
    Casual conversation seemed no longer an option. Maya sipped her water. She regretted holding her tongue earlier. Maybe Arthur would have understood she was teasing, and just joked back. He was glimpsing toward the kitchens, probably hoping for his double expresso to arrive as soon as possible. She sighed internally. No, Arthur ignored about self-derision. Teasing his dating habits would have been equally disastrous. So be it. She had questions, and he was already antagonized…
    “I still don’t understand why you can’t simply say no to Robert about his marital ideas.”
    Arthur reacted instantly. “You don’t know what it’s like to deal with a man who does not consider “no” as a suitable answer.”
    She did not; but she