Maria stuck her hands in the pocket of her leather jacket, wishing that she had remembered to bring gloves. Fall in Chicago always hit so fast, and the lines between summer and winter were so thin. Exiting the el station she tried to get her bearings. She didn’t know the city, and she certainly wasn’t well acquainted with wicker park. Damen, that was the street. Now where was the café?
Earwax. She saw the large sign outside the old building and crossed the street. Warmth hit her as she entered the dimly lit and smoky establishment. She looked around. Dario, a young and well dressed Italian man, waved at her.
“Maria,” he said, pushing his glasses back up on his nose. They were always sliding down on him.
“Hey Dario,” Maria sighed. “what’s good here?”
“The coffee.”
“Funny.”
“I’m serious,” he said. “the food here is just an afterthought.”
“Well, I’m starving, I guess I’ll have to settle for an afterthought.”
“Get the vegan omelette.”
Maria set the menu down.
“You have to be kidding me.”
“I’m serious.”
“It’s dark in here.” Maria complained.
“So take off your sungl—“Dario began. “Oh. Yeah. Sorry.”
“Can I get you anything?” The waiter, somewhat scruffy with his unkempt hair, wearing a tee shirt and jeans, sauntered over. There were the hints of tattoos peeking out from his shirt sleeve.
“Um, yeah, double espresso and I’ll just have one of your banana nut muffins I guess.”
“Is that it?”
“Yes it is, thank you.” Maria turned to Dario. “What happened to you? You used to have such great taste in restaurants.”
“It’s walking distance from my apartment.”
“I must have passed ten different restaurants from the el to here, don’t give me that.”
“Yeah, well this is one of the only places I hang out in anymore.”
“Fine,” Maria shrugged. “So you have family out here, right? Is that why you moved out here?”
“No, ah, they helped me get on my feet when I moved out here, but I haven’t talked to them in awhile. ”
“Oh. So what are you doing then?”
“Uh,” Dario shifted uncomfortably. “I just finished a temp job. I was working the mail room for awhile at this publishing company but, ah---“
The waiter brought Maria her espresso and muffin.
“Would you like anything else?” He asked again.
“No thank you, not just yet,” she began to look annoyed.
“So you know what happened to Lucia?” Maria asked.
“Not exactly,” Dario said.
“What—“
“I didn’t see her after that day, no one did, but it was weird, she left this behind.” Dario reached into an olive drab backpack and pulled out a thick, leather bound book.
“Her diary,” Maria whispered. “she left this behind?”
“Yeah, apparently.” Dario shifted uncomfortably. “Um, you should have it but if you decide to read it, just be careful—“
“Be careful?”
“It’s just kind of…strange. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Strange.”
“Yeah, she sort of,” Dario shook his head. “she had things going on with her, internally, that I had no idea about.”
“Well, I’ve known her my whole life, I doubt anything in it will shock me.”
“No?” Dario said cryptically. “Anyhow, I have to go, I have a job interview.”
“Oh. Well, good luck, what are you interviewing for?”
“Telemarketing.” Dario gritted his teeth.
“Fun.”
“Yeah, it’s not been one of my better years. I’ll bounce back, I always do.” He left a five on the table. ”Call me if you need anything else while you’re in town.”
Maria watched as Dario walked out the door of the café. She shook her head. Dario had never seemed like the strongest sort. When he was involved with her sister, he had been possessive and insecure. He was bright enough of a man, but he had no shortage of inner demons. Perhaps that could be said about anyone, but Dario seemed particularly susceptible to his. Still, he was worn down and defeated, even for him. It was inexplicable.