What’s a cheeseburger between friends? When: Day after this text. Where: Park Rating: Low (stop being surprised) Status: Complete
Messy albeit delicious
As promised, Roman gathered a bit of food for the both of them. He was taking his break outside of the office today, and the glee was present in his step. Even his secretary eyed him with a bit more suspicion than usual. That was fine with Roman, he didn’t really care.
The pit stop to pick up their lunch: he kept it simple with a couple of cheeseburgers, fries, and drinks. Messy albeit delicious. It was the perfect meal to chat a bit over and go back to the daily tasks of life satisfied on.
At the destination, Roman got out of the car, gathered up their things and began to head toward the little place designated to dine. The park was nice; it was emptier than he thought it would be but for the day and time he found it fitting.
Everything was within walking distance in Searchlight. Telling the other mechanics he was going to lunch, Tal made his way to the park a few short blocks away. He was sitting under a covered awning at one of the picnic tables when Roman drove up.
Tal was in a pair of jeans, a dark blue t-shirt, and boots. Standing up, he smiled but tried not to do so too brightly.
“Hey.”
Roman couldn’t help but admire the bulk of a casually dressed man in the shade. Even in that dimmed light Tal was bright and it nearly hurt Roman’s eyes to behold him. “Hey there,” the lawyer greeted.
The bags and drinks would be set down, one for each of them, and Roman took a careful seat on the bench opposite Tal to give the man space to eat. “Glad you took me up on my offer. Slow day at the shop?”
He took a moment to tuck his tie in between the gap in his shirt where the buttons were, so as not to mess it up, and then Roman unpacked the lunch from the bag set in front of himself.
Tal breathed as slowly as he could through his nose as Roman walked over. There was something about those warm eyes that caught him, along with those shoulders. “Having a good day?”
He remained standing until the other man sat. He took his seat opposite the lawyer and smiled at the scent of the food. “I am too. A little bit. But it has its busy times and slow times.”
Tal watched Roman as he tucked in his tie, both fascinated and attracted. Blinking and to avoid staring any longer, he went along unpacking his lunch as well.
“I feel like my work never has a lull,” Roman offered, laughing a bit. “But then I suppose it goes back to the old saying that nothing worth having comes easy.” His eyes would wander to Tal as he finished unpacking his lunch. “I hope this choice of lunch is alright. I realized after I had offered that I didn’t know what you preferred. And I didn’t know how to ask you without being embarrassed.”
He ate a French fry, musing a bit. “Working with your hands must be something that makes you proud.”
“I get that. Sometimes the auto shop is like that.” Tal smiled, liking how Roman laughed. “It’s okay. I can eat almost anything.” Then he lifted an eyebrow at the ‘embarrassed’ comment.
He unwrapped his burger a little and took a big bite, careful not to get mustard or the like smeared on his face. “Mmm,” Tal hummed through the bite and swallowed. “Proud...I don’t know. Satisfied, yes. I like the focus.”
“My father used to tell me that putting your hands in the dirt created beautiful things,” Roman shared. “I believe the story behind that is - working with your hands can bring a sense of pride because you did something for yourself.” That story was one for the record books, and the conversation occurred when Roman was four and his father was lecturing him on the success of the real estate market.
He was fortunate that Tal had such an appetite. It didn’t surprise Roman that much, though.
Tal never shared anything about his family. They weren’t worth it after what they had done to him. “It makes sense. I’ve always liked mechanics. Probably could have been more. But I am proud of where I am now.” He spoke and then took a sip of his drink. And that was a bit of him opening up even though vague.
“That is wonderful,” Roman nodded. It was excellent to be in a good place. Even if it was a small auto body shop in a small town.
“Is this what you’d like to do for the rest of your life?” He inquired, curious. Was the auto body shop a milestone to something greater, or was Tal entirely satisfied where he was. “And please, don’t feel as if you have to answer any of my questions. I am just trying to get to know you, so feel free to set the pace.”
Setting his burger down on a napkin, Tal took a french fry from his package and ate it. He nodded, “Thank you.”
Then he blinked slowly. “...I’ve thought about it. I’d like to work on bigger projects where I have more leisure time.” Then Tal shrugged. “It’s taken a while for me to get to this point.” He confessed.
“As in classic vehicles? Restorations?” Bigger projects could vary on opinion. He took a bite from his burger, chewing slowly. He typically avoided processed food like this, but this time he found it enjoyable because of the conversation. “Would you own your own place if you could?”
“Perhaps...and even train engines. Something that could allow me to take a vacation or two.” Tal nodded, sipping his drink again and watching Roman eat. He didn’t take the other man for a fast food type, but perhaps it was a kindness. “Like an auto shop? Maybe. Do you own your law..place..firm?”
“Sure, if that’s what you’re good at and you like, why not own your own shop?” Trains sounded interesting. He didn’t consider trains in the same association of vehicles but it made sense.
“I don’t, but I would like to one day.”
“I think it’s still in the far-off future. But yes.” Tal liked the clean cut way of being able to fix things, make them better. Perhaps it was his trust issues around people. Machines were easier.
“Oh? You seem like one that has everything planned out.”
Roman smiled. “Nothing gets past you, does it?” A soft laugh escaped him. “I have a plan, I’m just trying to establish myself and my foundation here first. Otherwise I don’t think I would have much of a practice without clients.”
He mused a bit. “We’re still young, there’s plenty of times to get where we are going.”
“Exactly. Establishing oneself in the trade you want to be in. That’s me too.” Tal smiled, a laugh on his breath.
“Yes.” He grinned and ate another bite of his burger before continuing. “Will you stay in Vegas?”
“So we do have something in common,” Roman teased, laughing softly. Another few bites would be consumed and he set the burger down. “I hope so. I’m from California, actually. I came out here to make my own way, if that makes sense.”
Tal wrinkled his nose, hiding the bit of vulnerability he felt. He liked Roman so far, but the trust was still developing. Munching on some fries and a sip of drink, he nodded. “It does make sense. I’m not from here either.”
“Oh?” Roman nodded. “I feel like this place draws people,” he murmured absently. “That doesn’t make a lot of sense, I know, but I’ve noticed that many come through on their way to Vegas.” Travelers, wanderers.
Tal looked Roman in the eyes for a moment and then broke off to eat another bite of his burger. Wiping his mouth, he nodded. “I think perhaps that happens for a lot of places and people. Maybe because it’s not on a coast or near a big waterway.”
Their eyes locked. Roman remained relaxed, playful, though he could feel the seriousness in Tal’s gaze. As the other man looked away, he felt a swell of pride. “Very true. I feel like maybe we are all running from something. Perhaps that’s just me, but why else would we race to the furthest places we can reach?”
Testing waters, curious. Tal sipped more of his drink as Roamn spoke. “New beginnings maybe. Better leave any bad stuff behind.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Roman replied with a smile. “You’re very wise, you know that?” It was the truth, Tal seemed observant and perceptive.
Tal shrugged. “Not too wise.” He was so close to just telling Roman about not being smart enough to force his way out of the basement underneath his childhood home. But no. This was just their second meeting. Looking up to see Roman’s smile, he smiled softly back. “I think you are.”
“Me?” Roman smiled. “You’re very nice. Really.” He closed the wrapper around what was left of the burger, finished with it. A napkin would wipe across his mouth, fingers, and then it would go into the bag for trash. He may have been a jerk, but he didn’t litter.
His tie came out from between the gap in the front of his shirt, he set it to rights.
“Yeah,” Tal smiled back. “Really. I bet you could find your way out of any situation.” He added and he put the leftover fries in his bag and wrapped his leftover burger before putting it in as well. It would be good for a small meal in a few hours. He cleaned his face and made sure there were not any crumbs clinging to his chin.
He focused on Roman’s hands as they brought his tie back to rights. Tal tried to breathe in as quietly as possible.
“Thank you, that means a lot coming from you.” He meant that. Usually he told people what they wanted to hear because it benefitted him. But the sincerity was there now.
A small compact mirror would come out of the inside pocket of his suit jacket, and Roman took a moment to check for crumbs and then also his hair.
The compact went away and he smiled wide at Tal. “I should let you get back, I’m sure they miss you over there.”
Blinking, Tal grinned. “You’re welcome. It’s the truth.” He admired Roman in how to-do he was. But sometimes being down to earth could be better, less conspicuous.
He slowly stood up and gathered his bag and cup, pausing as he watched Roman with that mirror. “Always something to work on. Thank you for lunch.”
Roman gathered his own trash, moving to stand up as well. “You’re welcome! We should do this again sometime, if that’s alright with you. I mean, if you want,” he laughed, tossing the bag into the nearby receptacle.
“...yes,” Tal almost breathed as he replied to Roman. “I would like that.” he smiled. As he stepped away from the picnic table and waited under the awning. Tiny steps and so far Tal didn’t have any reason not to trust the other man.
That positive answer was what he had been looking for. His smile grew a touch. “Would you like a ride back to the shop? If not, that’s okay.” It was within walking distance and the day was nice, he figured that was the preferable method of travel. And he would let Tal text him when the man was ready to hang out again.
“I’m okay,” Tal nodded with a humble smile. He liked walking and being in someone else’s car was at the low end of his anxiety scale. The more fresh air the better even if it would have been nice to spend more time close to the other man.
Roman nodded. “Be safe getting back then, alright? Text me soon.” With that, Roman offered a friendly wave and then turned, heading back to his car.
“I will. Have a safe drive back to Vegas,” Tal replied. He waved back and smiled as he began to take steps alongside Roman but towards the direction of the auto shop.