Walkin The Dog

boss or to be humiliated in front of the people who saw him as a friend.

That evening he went to Iula's diner and ordered the fried chicken. It was the best-tasting meal he'd had in many years.

?This chicken's good, I,? Socrates told her. ?You doin' somethin' different??

?It's just the same old chicken,? Iula said. ?An' it's just the same old me.?

You look as good as it taste

was what Socrates wanted to say but he didn't because he was a murderer again and a murderer had no right to flirt.

?What's wrong with you, Socrates?? Iula asked.

?How you'n Tony doin'?? Socrates asked back.

?He's okay I guess. He moved back out last Friday.?

?Moved out? I thought you two was gonna get married again??

Iula rubbed the back of her neck, raising her elbow as she did so. Socrates remembered that gesture when she was relaxed at his house late in the evening.

?I should'a known that he wasn't no different. Naggin' me about why I couldn't close the restaurant down and spend the day with him. You know a business cain't run itself.? Iula looked directly into Socrates' eyes.

?I'm sorry about that, honey,? Socrates said. ?You need a good man. And you deserve the best.?

?I don't know about all that,? Iula said. ?But I sure could use some company.?

Socrates knew that in a few hours or a few days at most he was likely to lose his freedom, forever this time.

?Could I walk you home after?? he asked.

?If you want.?

?I'll just wait for ya then.?

?You will??

?Yeah. Sumpin' wrong with that??

?No. Nuthin' wrong but maybe just weird. I mean you don't come in on chicken night. An' you ain't been in at all in weeks. An' I thought you give up on walkin' me home, that you was with that Charlene Willert.?

?An' I thought you chose Tony,? Socrates replied.

Iula's nostrils flared. Socrates could see that she wanted to say more but didn't know how. She

had

decided on Tony. What Socrates did was none of her business.

?What night Topper come in?? Socrates asked hoping that he didn't sound desperate.

?Why??

?Iula, can you get up off me an' be civil? I'm sorry if you mad. I thought you wanted to marry Tony. I stopped comin' 'cause I don't have no right to want you like I do if I cain't put up my nickel.?

Iula's orangish skin brightened and her lips quivered with words that she held in.

?He be in in about a hour,? she said finally.

When Socrates touched her arm she sighed.

?Hey, hey, Mr. Fortlow,? Nelson Saint-Paul, more commonly known as Topper, said. ?How you doin'??