Episode 3 of Broken Chains

The Dinner

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(Emily, AI Generated photo, owned by Flaat Library)

I spent hours yesterday trying to pick something to wear tonight, and the only thing I could find was a black button-up short-sleeve shirt. I decided to wear it with my dark blue jeans that I got on my first shopping trip with Emily. I probably spent an hour looking in the mirror, deciding how to do my hair. I chose to slick it back with the hair mousse that Emily got me and sprayed a bit of the cologne that I found in the clothing shop. It had a sweet and oaky scent that reminded me of walking in the woods with my father. Tonight was the first I have felt nervous, not even when the Raiders came to the camp or the virus took over our city. This was a whole new level of nervous, I didn't even get this nervous when I was dating Victoria. What is wrong with me!

I took a few deep breaths, the way my mother showed me when I would get upset. I think I am ready to meet Emily for dinner. She chose a steakhouse on the main deck; I haven't had a real steak in five years, so I am looking forward to this.

Sincerely,

Carter

________

Carter made his way down the hall to the elevator, which was empty, and walked out onto the white glass floor of the main deck. Hardly anyone walked around at this time; they were either eating dinner in their rooms with their families or in the cafeteria. Carter took another deep breath and made his way to the steakhouse to wait for Emily. They decided to meet at 5 o’clock, but Carter wanted to be there early so he could get a table ready for them.

“How may I help you, sir?” A tall, thin woman with short brown hair that curled under her chin greeted him. Her name tag read Sue.

“Uh…” Carter hesitated, “I need a table for two?” His social skills weren't the greatest.

“Of course!” Sue grabbed two menus and walked behind the small wall that stood behind the stewardess bench. There was calm music gently playing, with large and small round tables in rows filling the small space. She walked to a booth that was fitted into the wall with a curved bench surrounding the small table. “How’s this?” Sue grinned.

“Perfect, I am still waiting for my…” He didn't know what to call Emily, girlfriend? Friend?

“I’m here.” Emily’s voice rang from behind him. He spun around to see her weaving around the tables towards him. She was wearing a new bright yellow dress with blue flowers, white sandals, and her hair was in two braids that gently bounced on her chest as she walked.

“Wonderful! Here are your menus, let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.” Sue placed them on the table, bowed, and made her way back to the front.

“Shall we?” Carter grinned, spreading his arm out towards the table to allow Emily to sit first. She grinned and followed his gesture, scooting in towards the center of the booth. He took another deep breath to relax his heartbeat and scooted in close to her, handing her a menu. “Anything look good?”

“Uhh…” Emily said, scanning the menu for something she liked. “Maybe the brisket and baked potato? But I am not sure…”

Carter couldn't help but stare as she read the menu. She was so beautiful and smelled like lemons and honeysuckle. Her eyes were dotted with grey eyeshadow and mascara. A memory of watching his mother get ready for work popped into his mind. The thought of seeing his mother again gave him pain in his chest. He struggled to shove the emotion down.

“Are you okay?” Emily asked, looking concerned.

He had not realized she caught him staring at her. “Oh…” He looked at his menu quickly to avoid eye contact. “Yeah… sorry.” He could feel his cheeks blush.

She placed a hand on his. “Carter…” Her voice was soft and sympathetic.

Carter sighed. “You remind me of my mom…” He regretted saying it as soon as it came out of his mouth.

She pulled her hand away and stared at him in wonder. “What does that mean?” Her voice grew more quiet.

“In a good way. As I was watching you read the menu…” he looked into her blue eyes. “I had a memory of watching my mom do her makeup for work. You don't look like her, but you're kind like she was.” He felt tears in his eyes.

Emily grinned at his sentiment, “That’s sweet of you to say.” Her cheeks turned pink, and she looked down at her hands fidgeting with her dress. “Did she die?” Emily whispered. There was no one else in the restaurant except them, and a man hunched over the bar on the far side of the room.

“No, she and my father were selected in one of the first assemblies.” Carter looked back at his menu. He didn't particularly like talking about his family, but he knew the conversation would’ve come up eventually. “They were farmers and owned the Durrant Ranch. I was left to care for my brother and sister.” He stared at the menu, not really reading it.

“You’re a Durrant?” Emily asked, intrigued. “That’s cool.”

“I guess… It belonged to my grandparents, but…” He didn't want to say the next part, but he knew she would ask. “They got sick.” He was confident that she would know what that meant.

“Oh…” She paused. “I am so sorry, Carter.” She lost a lot of her family from assemblies and sickness, so she understood his pain. She grabbed his hand and turned his face towards her with the other. “I understand how it feels to lose the ones you love in this… mess of a life. I am here if you ever want to cry, or vent, or shoot things.” She grinned.

“You can shoot?” Carter felt joy from this. Victoria wasn't a great shot, and he had taught her as much as he could, but he always felt as if she pretended to be a damsel in distress, one of the many annoying things about her that he had not realized bothered him, until after she left.

“Duh! My dad taught me back in Washington. We would go hunting for deer every year. He was the best butcher in town.” She spoke in a proud voice.

“I’m impressed. Not a lot of girls our age can shoot.” Carter said, feeling his heart beat gain momentum.

“Well, I'm not like other girls.” Emily winked, scooting closer, her thigh touching his.

“What can I get you?” A short, chubby man spoke loudly at them. His name tag read Bill. He was dressed the same as Sue. Carter found it odd how simple their names were.

“Oh.” Carter jumped, startled that someone else was there. He had felt lost in the ocean blue of Emily’s eyes. “I will have the ribeye, green beans, and the loaded baked potato.”

“I will have the same thing.” Emily said quietly, still staring at Carter.

“Okay! Be back.” Bill spun on his heel and took off towards the revolving door behind the bar.

Carter looked back at Emily. She didn't hesitate leaning up towards him and kissing him. Carter grabbed her waist and pulled her in closer, then slid his hand up her back and behind her neck. His jaw moved with hers gracefully. He was mesmerized by her scent, her taste. He didn't dare pull away.

“Wow…” Emily whispered gently, releasing the kiss. Her heart was racing now, and the urge to leave the restaurant was strong.

“What?” Carter felt the same urge, but shoved it aside and smiled.

“That was amazing. And the first kiss I have had in years.” She laughed small and blushed again.

“Same.” Carter smiled. Emily scooted away from him a little and fidgeted with her dress. “Are you okay?” He asked.

Emily nodded, “I uh…” She didn't want to tell him the thoughts that raced through her mind. “Just really like you.”

“Oh…” Carter felt his face getting hot. “I like you too.”

“Really?” She looked up at him, her eyes dancing back and forth, looking at his. “Because I thought maybe I was too forward.”

“No, not at all.” Carter liked that she knew who she was and wasn't afraid to take risks. “If you weren't going to do it, I was.” He smiled. Emily smiled back.

“Here you are!” Bill returned with their food and placed the plates in front of them.

“Thank you!” Emily spoke cheerfully, unfolding her napkin and placing it in her lap.

Carter watched her excitement for the food that was in front of her. He felt happy with her, happy to be here, and happy that they were on the same floor. “Do you want to go for a walk after dinner?” He asked.

Emily paused and looked up, shocked. “A walk?” She wondered where they would go. The abandoned hallways?

“Yeah.” He grinned, “I found a place you will love.” Emily grinned and nodded. “Okay, let's dig in!” Carter whispered, and picked up his fork and knife. Emily made a high pitch squeal of excitement and cut into her steak.