Follow on building a second Character. Delimma

Delimma cont... Building in another character.

Steph continued to glance out the window of the stardust café. The wind had whisked up a pile of dry leaves funneling them into a twister, scooting them down the pavement like a scared foxy.  He put his Mocha down and pulled up his collar. The café was warm but the sight of the leaves and biting wind made him feel cold and alone.

He was still fiddling with his mobile, still undecided. He wondered if anyone had noticed the smiles between them, the looks, the touching.  The text messaging had reached an all time high and he was sure Jock would have noticed, after all they were the best of mates and had been partners for over 10 years. These days it was less work, and hours of talking, copious coffee shops and finding every opportunity to be on the job with Chevron.  Steph’s stomach was sick with guilt; his face wore the lines of tension. He was deep in reflection, undecided when the door flung open and in walked Jock.

“Top of the morning to ya Steph” and he turned to the pretty blonde bomb shell behind the counter “and I’ll have me usual thanks darling”. She smiled and obliged, she knew them well and felt safe with them there. “I’ve been looking all over for you” said Jock, “and where’s Chevron she’s not far behind ya most days”.

Steph was not in the mood he knew where Jock was coming to and the last thing he wanted was to discuss his personal life with a mad Irishmen and an ugly one at that. All those street fights had left there mark!  Besides he knew Jock would read him like a book, like an arrow hitting it’s mark he did not need Jocks ramblings or Judgment. What did he know anyway his own marriage barely lasted 5 years. Steph took another sip of his luke warm Mocha and tried to divert the conversation away from what was to come.  “So we going hunting this year Jock” said Steph.  Jock just looked at him his expression said it all. Steph quickly launched in before he had a chance to speak, “look Jock just leave it alone all right,  I don’t wanna talk about it. Steph expected a torrent of advice and judgment but instead he saw a sympathetic friend who some how understood. “I tell ya what” said Jock “what say I just listen; we can all see what’s going on Steph its all around the precinct and its only a matter of time and Alex’s will get to hear, and I love her like me own Steph”.

Just then the pretty young waitress brought over Jocks long black, placed it down in front of Jock.  Steph said, “sweetheart you better give me one of those we’ll be here for a while”.