The Flying Burrito Bar was a small spot close to the residential part of Emeryville. As they walked in, Penny noticed that there were only three small tables, two of which were occupied by people in conservative suits and dresses. A large white and red board listed some fifty combinations of burritos available, all vegetarian. Tim said to her, “What kind of burrito do you want?”
Penny shrugged. “Something with real beans. Surprise me.”
“Okay,” Tim said. “Mom, the usual?”
Jane nodded and set her satchel on the floor next to the chair she sat in. Penny sat next to her placing her satchel against the wall behind her. Tim went to the counter and ordered with a few gestures and then paid, standing close to where the food was delivered. A man in a green suit stood next to him, also waiting.
Penny was caught up watching the professionals who were getting a quick bite, or perhaps a power lunch. Jane lightly touched her arm and drew her attention. “Do you find my son attractive,” she asked.
Caught of guard, Penny lied. “I haven’t really thought about it. We just met.”
“He’s in need of getting laid,” Jane said and glanced over at Tim. “I don’t suppose I could persuade you to sleep with him. How about fifty dollars?”
Penny, shocked, merely shook her head. “Do I impress you as that kind of girl?”
“Oh, honey, don’t be upset,” she said. “I didn’t mean anything by it.” She placed her hands folded on the table. “So, fifty?”
Penny pulled her chair and started to stand. At that moment, Tim returned with the burritos. “I got you a bean burrito…”. He looked at Penny. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing dear,” his mother interjected. “I was just enquiring whether or not Penny here needed some money.”
Penny, upset and turning red, said to Jane, “I don’t need your money!” She grabbed her backpack and headed to the door. She thought, what total assholes.
Tim put down the burritos and followed Penny. He hurried and caught up to her just outside the restaurant’s door. He reached and caught Penny’s arm. “Hey, my mom is a little rough around the edges. Don’t be offended. What did she say?”
Penny took a deep breath. “She asked me to sleep with you for fifty dollars.”
“Oh,” he said. “She has Asperger’s syndrome.”
Penny pulled her arm away. “What?”
“I should have warned you. She has a problem behaving appropriately. Penny wasn’t that offended, just a little shocked. She had learned about Asperger’s when she went to nursing school.
“Look, I’m sorry. Try to understand; she says and does inappropriate social things, particularly with new people. I would never let her do something like that.”
Penny found Tim’s soothing behavior to be unusual given what she knew about him. He impressed her as a rough and tough Marine; he was showing a softer side to her, which she found attractive. “I know what Asperger’s is,” she said. “You could have warned me.”
“It’s totally my fault; I should have never left her alone with you. Come back in and eat with me, please. Just don’t say anything to my Mom. She won’t understand.”
Penny warmed to him. “All right, but I’m not sitting next to her.” They walked back into the restaurant. Penny sat next to Tim across from Jane and pulled her burrito platter over. Jane was halfway through hers and didn’t seem to realize that anything was wrong.
“Mom, Penny is a nice girl. She would never accept money for something like that.” He took a bite out of his burrito.
“Well, I was just trying to be nice to your girlfriend. She seems like a nice girl.” She gave sparkling smile to Penny.
Penny was fascinated with Jane’s behavior. Now that she knew about her condition, her interest in clinical psychology took over. She had dealt with various conditions in soldiers during her time as a medic in Iraq, mostly PTSD. In her experience, mostly these people needed understanding and someone to talk to.
Penny finished her burrito and stood and wiped her hands with a napkin. “I should be going,” she said.
“Can I have your number,” said Tim.
Penny considered for a moment. “Let me have your phone.”
He gave it to her and she programmed her name and number into his contacts. “There,” she said, “Call me if you want some company.” She left, walking through the restaurant door and into the street.
“Will do,” said Tim, to no one in particular after she had gone.
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