from 'The Altered Boys Club'

     “This is a great spot next to the window,” Sebastian commented. “How lucky was that? This place is packed.”

     “The food is really good for the money. The whole neighborhood eats here.”

     The waitress delivered their orders in time to hear the endorsement and smiled as she set their food in front of them. “Anything else I can bring you guys?” she asked as she totaled the check and set it face down next to Cliff’s water glass and left.

     “God! I hate when they slam down the check with the food! It’s so rude!” Sebastian said louder than perhaps he should have, at least for Cliff’s sake.

     “Hey, Sebastian, it’s no big deal. You can see how busy they are. This way we’re not left waiting when we want to leave.” Cliff was speaking in a very low voice and leaning slightly over the table so that the whole restaurant didn’t have to listen.

     “I’m sorry, Cliff. That’s just one of my pet peeves.” Sebastian stated in a volume that matched his friend’s.

     Each of them picked up their burgers and moaned with satisfaction. Sebastian set his down as he chewed and picked up his napkin to wipe a little grease off his chin. When he had swallowed enough to be able to speak without spitting, he exclaimed, “That is a damn good burger!” He started to take another bite but something he saw through the window caused him to replace his sandwich on the plate. “Cliff, can you take care of this. Ask the lady to pack mine to go. I have to leave. I see someone I know.” He was up and out the door before Cliff could even say “sure,” or signal the waitress. He looked outside to see where his friend was running off to in such a hurry. The waitress saw Sebastian leave and came over to the table.

     “Sorry, but something’s come up. Can you wrap these up to go?” Cliff looked at the bill and handed the woman a twenty and said, “Take this and keep the change. I’ll be back to pick up our food.”

     The waitress placed the check and the money in the pocket of her apron and picked up their plates to take to the kitchen. Cliff ran out the door, trailing Sebastian down Third Avenue toward Atlantic. “Jesus!” He said out loud to himself in wonder, “he’s running straight to where we found the boy! What did he see?”

     When he finally caught up to Sebastian, his friend was kneeling next to the donation bin facing the space where the body had laid. He looked sadly up at Cliff, “This is the place, isn’t it? Is this where Ajit’s body was found?”

     “How are earth did you know that, Sebastian? You tore out of the dinner like you had seen a ghost!”

     “Actually, Cliff, that’s exactly what happened. Ajit was on the sidewalk peering in at us. I followed him here.”

     “I should have known. So, what do you make of this?”