Conversations

"Hey, Craig," John said as he pulled up a chair at his friend's table. He always knew he could find Craig in Pop's Coffee Shop around five-thirty most evenings, but certainly on a Friday.

Craig looked up from his book and smiled. "Hey, John."

"What're ya doin'?"

"Reading."

"Yeah, but reading what?"

"The history of..." Craig paused, sighed and added, "John, do you really want to know or is this just your usual preamble?"

"Usual preamble?" John frowned. Did he have a usual preamble?

"You want us to spend the evening together and you track me down in here, make small talk before you ask me out for a meal. Then later we go back to your place and either watch a DVD or play a game of poker or whatever."

"Ah." John smiled. "So, Craig?"

"So... What?"

"Which will it be? Meal followed by DVD or a game of poker?"

Craig grinned and shook his head. "Okay, John, either or both." Craig stuffed his book back into his bag and then downed the rest of his coffee. Still holding the cup, Craig raised his eyes, narrowing them as he asked, "John, are we... dating?"