7:30 am.
Something must be wrong.
This is so out of character,
Against routine.
She enters the restaurant
And greets the hostess.

“Table for two,” she tells her
“My party should be here soon.”
“Oh,” the hostess remarks
“Do you mean that gentleman?”
She follows her gaze.
Sure enough, there he is.

“Thank you,” she says
And hurries over to the table.
He’s on time for once?
What in the world?
Something had to be wrong,
It was the only explanation

“Ah, you made it!” He stands.
Motioning for her to sit
“You say it as though I am late.”
He laughs.
“Considering I was here first
I would say that you are.”

She lets out a short breath
“On the contrary,” she says
“You are on time
Or else you were early.”
“But you said it yourself
I am always late.”

“Which is why I’m concerned.”
She stares at him.
“Would you like to order something?”
He asks as he waves to a waiter.
“You must try their waffles
They are next to godly.”

She is losing her patience.
“No, I do not want waffles.
I don’t want food, I don’t want a drink.
Stop beating around the bush.”
She folds her arms
Awaiting his explanation

“Hold the waffles,” he tells the waiter,
Then looks at her, all business.
“It is time for our regular meeting.
I presume you have something for me?
Or perhaps you have nothing at all.
That would be a refreshing change.”

“Our meetings are always at 10:00 sharp.
We meet at the same place every time.
I always wait for you
and when you show up you always get
that ridiculous coffee.
Now, what is going on?”

“I decided to change things up a bit.
Don’t you like it?”
“Change it up?
I am not convinced.”
“My dear, I am a god.
I can and will do as I please.”

They stare each other down.
He isn’t going to give in.
But she can see it in his eyes.
There is a reason for this change
“Fine,” she said, resigned.
He smiles and gives a nod

“Now, what do you have for me?”
She removes the files from her bag
The stack seems larger than last time
“Quite a ‘haul’ this time around.
I’m sure you will be pleased.”
He scowls.

“Is there a problem?” he asks
“Do you have something you would like to say?”
She considers the possibility
And thinks better of it
“Not at all.
Just making an observation.”

He puts his chin in his hands
Resting elbows on the table
“You don’t like me. You despise me.
In fact, I daresay you actually hate me.”
“Isn’t that what mortals do?” she retorts.
“We hate the gods and the feeling is mutual.”

“We do not hate mortals.
Not all of us at least.
And I am highly offended
You would so easily assume that.”
“I don’t care about offending you, sir.
And my assumption is based on fact.”

“Yes, because history always tells the truth.
Your history books say the gods are a myth
Yet somehow you have found yourself
Employed by one.”
“Not my best job choice, I will admit
But it does–somehow–pay the bills.”

He straightens.
“I am not the evil monster you make me out to be.”
Once again he leaves without explanation,
Ever a mystery to be solved.
Sometimes it really pisses her off.
But today, it’s different

She can’t help wondering
What has gotten into him lately?
What is this sudden escalation
Of caring and sentimentality?
She continues to sit alone,
Pondering it all.