The dinner had been interminable. I guess bankers' dinners always are. They always seem so to me.
I'm Megan. I'm 56 years old. I'm very tall and slim, with brown-blonde hair, long, pulled back in a bun for work. I like slim-line women's business suits ... that's what I was wearing, as David and I closed the door of my hotel room behind us.
David is my brother-in-law, the younger brother of my husband, Richard. David's 50, average looking, a little overweight, and a really nice guy. Kind, thoughtful, trustworthy. He's a branch manager for one of our banks. I'm on the executive team at a regional office, three or so hours away from here. "Here" is only an hour from David and Karen's place (Karen is David's wife).
Richard and I had stayed over with David and Karen last night. This hot Friday night we were staying in the hotel where our meeting was held. Only an hour home, but the alcohol had been flowing freely, as it usually does on these junkets. So David and I both had rooms, separate rooms, at the hotel. We'd drive back to David and Karen's on Saturday sometime.
"Oh, God," I said. "These dinners are sooooo boring!"
"Still want a night-cap?" asked David.
"Take of your coat, and check the mini-bar," I said, taking off my own suit jacket. "I'll take a G&T, if they've got it." I sank into the desk chair.
David investigated the mini-bar. "Looks like we can both have a gin and tonic," he said, standing up with bottles from the little fridge. "Well stocked, even a gourmet tonic water ... no fresh lime, though."
"Just pour us the drinks, David," I commanded. "I'm parched!"
"I think we both had plenty to drink at the dinner, but OK," said David.
He poured us our drinks, handed me mine, which I set on the desk. David sat on the edge of the bed, sipping from his glass.
"Old Barton sure gassed on tonight," said David. "You must have to listen to him all the time, with you both in the same office."
"Fortunately, I don't see him every day," I replied. "But I did notice Janice and Tim sneaking out during the dinner, and not returning."
"I don't know them," said David. "Headquarters people?"
"Yes. And the rumors will be flying, because I'm sure the others at their table noticed their absence, together."
David laughed. "All busily imagining what might be going on!"
"And wishing they were party to it!" I laughed, too.
"I figure that when people are so obvious, they must not mind the speculation, really," said David.
"Oh? Is that what you figured, when you disappeared with Evie for so long yesterday evening?" I smiled at him. "Not minding our speculation?"
David paused for a moment, then, "Did you speculate?"
"Not together, out loud, we didn't," I said. "I know I had my own fantasies running wild, but Karen said she wasn't worried about what might be happening. You're a lucky man, David, with such a loving wife."
"I am lucky," he said. "Very lucky. So, what did you talk about, while I was gone? You were all gone to bed when I got home."
"We talked about when we were kids," I said. "Karen was interested to know what you were like when you were young, before she met you."
"What memories did you share, Megan?" David said. "I could enjoy a little trip down memory lane."
"Well, I explained that I was a senior, Richard was a sophomore, and we did the usual teenage things."
"How exciting," said David, a little sarcastically.
"And I told Karen how you liked to spy on us," I said, casually.
David was quiet again.
"You didn't know we knew you were there, did you, David?"
"No," said David. "I was sure my watching was a secret, from everyone, until now."
"We knew you were watching us from the first ... little Davy. You were such a sweet boy. Richard and I enjoyed putting on a show for you."
"I remember it all so clearly," said David slowly.
"All for you, little Davy. Well, not just for you. For me, and for Richard, too. We really enjoyed ourselves."
"I mostly remember you putting on a show, and Richard watching," I said.
"And now you know we knew you were watching, too, little Davy."