She doesn’t know, he said. She thinks she does, but she doesn’t.

You keep secrets? Jimmy asked.

How do you mean?

Secrets. Not fully exposing yourself.  She sees only skin. Not the bone or muscle, just skin. Jimmy drank his whiskey shot down. He ordered two more. Drink, he said. Go on. You’re wasting good alcohol. Robert Paul looked at him.

You think she sees right through me?

They all do. It’s their job. Like a detective on a case, Jimmy drank down another shot.  I’m two ahead of you. Come on now.

So, she knows.

Yes. Them, she, they know everything.  You can only hide for so long.

And then? Robert Paul asked.

They make a choice. They decide. Your two cents ain’t worth much.

Robert Paul put his jacket on. Drank down a shot, then the other. Shook Jimmy’s hand and wished him goodnight.

Where you going?

Not sure. Scared to go home.

Cause of what I said?

Yeah.

Robert Paul. There are always exceptions.