Chapter 3: … You look lovely!
At exactly six o’clock, Bob pulled into the driveway and smiled. “You look lovely.” He got out of the car and opened the door for me.
“You look mighty handsome yourself….did you finish your ‘to do’ list?”
“I think so. Laurel, the past few weeks have been very hectic for me…. getting things in order…- getting ready to leave for a while…. all the things you can’t leave hanging until you get back. Then there are friends…. I didn’t realize I had so many. They all had to take me out for a drink or dinner. The relatives all stopped by to wish me luck… I can’t believe how fast the time flew by.”
Something about this conversation didn’t sound good, but I didn’t want to know just yet. This was probably going to be a very special occasion that we would both remember for a longtime.
Bob had made reservations at an elegant inn, about fifteen miles from town. It overlooked a lake and the landscaping was picturesque, in a pristine sort of way. An old tall sailing ship was on the far side of the lake. Ducks, swans and geese wandered in and out of the water with their young ones trailing behind.
We were seated by the window, which provided a panoramic view of the entire lakeside, a truly romantic setting for such an emotional evening. I studied Bob’s face and thought, “I feel so special walking beside him or sitting across the table from him. If only we could continue our lives together without interruption for the war, If only …”
The waitress came with the menus and asked if we would like to order drinks. Bob wanted a beer and I ordered a rum and coke.
I studied the menu for a while, with the feeling that I was being watched. I raised my eyes slightly and surveyed the room. Penny Parker was in a dark corner with a bookie from town who wore his shiny black hair slicked straight back.
I said nothing to Bob — no need to point him in her direction,
Bob looked up at me. “Suppose I order Chateaubriand for the two of us?”
His question left me speechless. I had no idea what “Chateaubriand” was — – it sounded like it might be a bottle of wine. I was just about to say that the rum and coke was just fine, when I noticed Chateaubriand was on the entrée menu. I prayed it wouldn’t be snails. “That sounds good,” I replied.
more tomorrow…
