The Greedy Heart

Food for thought?

NATHANS POV

Damn, thinking about food and now I’m suddenly starving, hearing my stomach growl. Hopefully, we stop soon, trying to think of anything else other than food. Thankfully, Fred pulls up somewhere and we pull into a parking spot. He comes around from the front and comes to my side to open my door. I get out the car and notice were outside some shopping center that showcased multiple food places near the Buckhead District.

I turn to Fred and ask, “Where’d you want to eat?” Looking out at all the options in the area, not knowing exactly what he planned on eating or if we arrived to pick up my evening attire.

He points to a*****e that boasted a bright orange sign that read ‘FARM BURGER’. Interesting, hopefully it’s not some health-conscious place. I mean if I’m going to eat a burger, I want a good greasy burger, with lots of cheese.

“I heard some of the guys talking about this place. They say it's pretty good with some juicy burgers and everything’s fresh even their fries.” Fred explains.

“Okay, as long as you swear it’s not some health-conscious place. Then we can go in, I’m seriously hungry and I’m up for some good ol’ greasy burger, not cardboard.” I tell him, making my way towards the building.

“Hey, it’s my first time too! If you don’t like it, we can stop and pick up something else, wherever else you’d like. So, no promises, okay?’ he calls to me from behind.

I laugh at him knowing he was growing nervous, “Alright, alright, no worries. You know I don’t ever waste food, so we can check it out. If anything, it will appease me for now, and if I’m still hungry I can grab more food tonight.” We make it to the establishment and Fred holds the door open for me.

The place was busy with customers, so after perusing the menu for a few minutes. I tell Fred what I wanted and went over to look for us a table to sit in. The way I saw it, it was like a fast-food burger place but an upgraded version. Fred comes back with a numbered placard for our order and takes a seat across from me. Noticing some stares from the people, seated next to us, I began to get uncomfortable. I was able to catch a few of the murmurs.

‘Who is that?’

‘Is he some movie star?’

‘God, he’s so sexy! I wonder if that’s his boyfriend. Why do all the hot guys have to be gay?! Ugh!’

‘Now that is what you call, dessert!’

That last comment, Fred must’ve heard it too as he busted out laughing. Knowing that my cheeks were turning red, I turn my chair to stare out the window. Luckily, I was able to grab a clean table near the window and began watching the hustle and bustle of the people outside. From across the street, I see a woman walking with a little girl, she was wildly out of place. She looks somewhat disoriented and very thin; her clothes and the little girls’ clothes were wrinkled and dirty. She seems to be making her way towards one of the side alleys, I kept an eye on her for a minute, when I notice a man had his eyes on them.

He seemed to be following them but keeping some distance away. He was wearing a dark jacket with the hood up, apparently trying too hard not to be noticed. I hear our number called out, I look at Fred and he gets up to grab our order. I quickly turn back to the woman, and catch the suspicious man turn into the side alley that the woman went. Feeling that something wasn’t right, I look around to see if anyone noticed the suspicious man outside. No one seemed to be paying attention as they all seemed to be staring at me, not noticing anything else.

I get up instantly, as my inner buzzer was going off in my head. I had to make sure that the woman and child were okay. I gesture to Fred as he is grabbing a tray full of food and tell him to meet me outside. I exit the restaurant hastily and jog across the street, my long legs making it quick to the side alley. Even though it was brightly lit, it was still not a safe place for any woman or child to enter alone. I cautiously enter the alley way, keeping in mind of all the possible places someone could hide and jump out at me. I know that Fred was somewhere nearby as I can hear him calling out my name, “Nathan!”

I hear someone scream, “Get away from us! Leave us alone!” With my heart racing I run towards the voice and see the suspicious man trying to grab the little girl away from the woman. What the hell?

“Hey! Leave them alone!” I cry out, striding towards them. I notice that we’ve reached a dead end to the alleyway, and I was blocking the man from scurrying away. Gotta love these damn creepy alleys, there was always something bad happening at night in them. The man lets go of the girl and pulls a knife out of his pocket. The woman grabs the girl into her arms and hurries into a corner, wedging the little girl behind her using her own body as a shield to protect the girl.

“Why don’t you mind your own business, pretty boy?” The man snarls at me, garnishing his knife in front of him waving it back and forth. He lunges for me, and I catch his arm easily with my large hand and quickly disarm him of the knife, kicking it out of the way. Twisting his wrist enough for him to holler in pain. Then by pulling his arm all the way to his back, I make him go down to his knees. Where he yells in pain, “Hey! Come on now!”