Ice Blue Eyes by Ron Walden

Author:Ron Walden
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Publication Consultants

In Seattle, the business week was coming to a close. Colin James picked up the telephone and dialed his friend at SeaFirst Bank. The voice on the other end sounded tired.

“Ben Gerlitz, how may I help you?”

“Ben? Colin. I just called to see if you could get away for lunch.”

“Good to hear from you, Colin. Yes, that sounds great. Where do you want to go?”

The same railroad-car restaurant was selected. It was about the same distance for each man to drive. Colin arrived a couple of minutes before Ben. He got a table and ordered coffee for himself.

When Ben arrived, Colin could hardly believe his eyes. Ben looked terrible. His eyes were red; he needed a haircut; and, as he picked up the menu, his hands were shaking.

“Are you okay, Ben?” Colin asked.

“Yeah, fine.” The waiter was asking Ben what he wanted to drink. “Vodka martini,” he replied.

“I don’t mean to preach to you, Ben, but it seems to me that you have been drinking an awful lot lately.”

“Bankers are expected to drink a lot,” he answered. “If I drink enough, I could be Bank President.” He gave a dry laugh and returned to the menu.

“I have to ask, Ben. Something has been bothering you for a while now. What is it? Is there something I can do to help you?” Colin voiced his concern.

“Nope, I’m just fine.” The statement came with a large amount of sarcasm attached.

“I’m worried about you. In the past few weeks, you have been drinking every day and you don’t get out to do anything. Since you got that promotion, you’ve really changed. What’s happening, Ben?”

“Nothing that concerns you, Colin. Leave it alone.” The waiter delivered his drink. “Bring me one more,” he told the waiter.

“I’m just trying to be your friend. I wish you would let me help you.” Colin’s worries for his friend were deepening.

“You don’t have to worry about me, Colin. I have a black-haired angel, with ice blue eyes, to look after me. I’ll never have to worry again.”

The waiter came with another drink for Ben, and the two men ordered lunch. The silence was thick as the two men ate. Colin couldn’t imagine why Ben refused to confide in him. In the past they had found it easy to use each other as a vent for building frustrations. Colin noted that, once again, Ben had made reference to the lady from Juneau. He didn’t know what significance that held, but he knew that she had something to do with what was happening to Ben. The silence continued for the rest of lunch. Ben picked up the check.

“I’ll get it.” He pulled some bills from his pocket and placed them in the leather book with the bill.

Outside in the sunshine, Colin waited. As they walked to their cars, Colin tried once again.

“I wish you would allow me to help you, Ben. Call me if you change your mind.”

“I will. Don’t worry, though. I’ll call you this week.”

Colin watched as his friend drove away in the direction of downtown Seattle.

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