The Anniversary Date

Marjorie hurried into the living room waving a large heavy envelope.

“Look!”

Robert, who was sprawled on the couch drowsily watching a basketball game on television, started upright.

“What? Where’s the fire? What’s going on?”

“Read that,” Marjorie said, shoving the envelope into his hands and silencing the TV.

“Hey! I was watching that …okay, okay, I’m reading.”

He extracted a sheet of heavy vellum paper and smoothed it open.

“Dinner reservation for two on Friday, 14th at 8pm at La Casa Blanca. Who sent this and what’s the occasion?”

Marjorie put her hands on her hips and glared at him over her glasses.

“Deirdre’s been kind enough to give us a gift certificate to a fancy restaurant. Aren’t you embarrassed that your daughter remembered our thirtieth wedding anniversary and you didn’t?”

Robert grinned and shrugged.

“What can I say? I have many good qualities, but remembering occasions is not one of them. You must admit I do come in handy when the car needs work.”

“That’s why I haven’t divorced you ... yet. Husbands are easy to replace, but good mechanics are hard to find,” Marjorie said, reluctantly smiling. “Come on now. She’s about to Face Time us.”

“You know I hate Face Time. Everyone looks like they’re at the bottom of a well, or in a hostage video,” said Robert, groaning as he followed Marjorie into the dining room where she had her laptop set up on the table.

“Hush now and stop fussing,” Marjorie said.

After a few minutes a fuzzy looking Deirdre appeared on screen.

“Hi, guys,” she said. “Sorry, but the Wifi’s not great here.”

“That was so sweet of you to think of us,” said Marjorie.

“You deserve it. The restaurant has got great reviews on Yelp and Google, and it’s even been featured in some gourmet magazines. My friend Damien is the maître d there, so I put a word in his ear to make sure you get great seating. Just to warn you, Dad…you’ll have to dress up a bit. You know, wear a suit and tie. Don’t get overwhelmed by the all the silverware.”

“Really?’ said Robert. “Can I pick my teeth at the table?”

“Eww, Dad. Don’t be gross. I’m just trying to say that it’s a bit more formal than the restaurants you usually go to. Call me after and tell me how it went. Anyway, I’ve got to rush. I’m finished here in New York for now, but they’re sending me to Hong Kong on assignment next week, so I’ve got a ton of stuff to do. Love you both. Bye now!”

Her image faded off the screen, blowing kisses to them.

Robert looked at Marjorie.

“I really don’t know where that child came from. It’s as if we’re barnyard fowl that raised an exotic tropical bird. Overwhelmed by silverware indeed.”

Marjorie sighed.

“I know. She’s become such a globetrotter that I feel intimidated sometimes. But she means well. I don’t think she realizes that she's giving us an inferiority complex.”

On the evening of the anniversary dinner, Marjorie gave Robert’s tie a final tweak and stood back to admire her handiwork.

“There. You cleaned up nice.”

Robert gagged and clutched his neck.

“Don’t be so melodramatic,” said Marjorie. “It doesn’t hurt you to wear a tie occasionally”

Robert rolled his eyes.

“Help me, please,” said Marjorie, struggling into her good dress. “I can’t reach.”

“You look nice,” Robert whispered in her ear as he zipped up her dress, a gleam in his eye. “Do we have time to …”

“Don’t even think about it,” said Marjorie, deftly stepping out of reach. “I just did my hair.”

She glanced at her watch and frowned as the front doorbell rang.

“What in the world? At this time of evening? Robert, pull the curtains and pretend we’re not here.”

“Too late,” Robert called to her. “Look at this.”

A shiny black limousine was parked outside on the street. The driver smiled and tipped his hat.

“Come on, Robert,” Marjorie said, grabbing her coat and handbag. “We can’t keep him waiting.”

The driver held the door and bowed slightly as they entered the limo. Marjorie nodded her thanks as she subsided onto the seat, gasping as she adjusted her dress.

“I think this dress shrunk in the closet. I should have bought something new. Oh, well, at least this one has stretchy fabric.”

The limousine glided out into the traffic. Marjorie gazed out of the window.

“I feel as if I ought to be giving the royal salute,” she said. “You know, the wave you do like you’re screwing in a light bulb.”

Robert held a finger to his lips and sat with his head cocked to one side.

“He’s got a suspension problem. That, or he needs new tires,” he said, straightening up. “I’ll tell him when we get there.”

“Only a mechanic would notice car noises on a special evening,” said Marjorie. “Talk about taking the romance out of it.”

Robert frowned.

“What’s wrong with that? I’d want to know if it was my limo. It’s not romantic to end up stranded at the side of the road.”

“It’s just that…oh, never mind,” said Marjorie. “We’re here. Behave yourself.”

“Careful now. You’re beginning to sound like Deirdre.”

As they exited the limo, a tall, well-built young man in a tuxedo stepped forward to greet them.

“Robert. Marjorie. Welcome to La Casa Blanca. Maybe you remember me? Damien.”

Marjorie stepped back and stared.

“Damien? Deirdre's friend from sixth grade? My goodness, look at you.”

“You used to be skinny as a celery stick, and didn’t you wear glasses?” said Robert. “Oof!”

He gasped as Marjorie elbowed him in the ribs. Damien laughed.

“It’s fine, Ms. Marjorie. I went through an awkward phase as my mother used to say. It’s very nice to see you both again. Follow me.”

The restaurant was decorated in shades of beige, cream and white. They were seated in a booth with opulent padded seats and soft lighting. The only color came from a little arrangement of deep red carnations on the table. Classical music was barely audible in the background.

“May I bring some wine? We have a very nice Chardonnay that’s smooth with a complex and distinctive aroma.”

“Does that mean it tastes good?” said Robert.

Marjorie shook her head and groaned.

“What? There’s no point pretending, Marjorie. Damien, we’ve known you since you were a whippersnapper. This isn’t our natural habitat. We’re relying on you to guide us, so we don’t make fools of ourselves.”

Damien winked as the waiter brought over enormous burgundy colored, gold-tasseled menus.

“No worries. Have a look and I’ll translate.”

Marjorie scrabbled in her bag for her reading glasses. Her eyes widened as she saw the prices.

“Getting sticker shock? Allow me to pour you some wine,” said Damien. “I have strict orders from Deirdre to tell you to ignore the numbers.”

Marjorie shut the menu and used it to fan herself.

“You go ahead, Damien. Get us a starter, a main course and a dessert. Anything with chicken for me.”

“Anything with beef for me,” said Robert, handing his menu to Damien. “There. Made it simple.”

“Cheers!" said Marjorie, sipping her wine. “Mmm. This is a lot better than that supermarket stuff. I’m going to be getting ideas above my station.”

“I agree,” said Robert. “I could get used to this.”

The food was beautifully presented and excellent. Robert sighed contentedly as they enjoyed an Irish coffee to finish the meal. Damien came to the table and smiled.

“Will you give Deirdre a good review? Please send her my love.”

“This was the best,” Marjorie said, dabbing a tear. “It was so kind of her, and it’s good to see you doing well. Life wasn’t always kind to you back in the day, was it, Damien?”

Damien shook his head, smiling ruefully.

“Indeed, it wasn’t. That’s why I appreciated your kindness so much.”

Robert cleared his throat.

“Well, you know we can’t compete with all this fancy stuff, but you’ll always find a welcome at our place. Come on over one Sunday for dinner,” said Robert. “Marjorie still does a great pot roast and apple pie.”

“Thank you,” said Damien. “That would be nice. Now I believe your limo is waiting.”

“Darn, I forgot to tell the driver about that suspension,” said Robert.

Once at home, they shed their finery with relief and donned their robes and slippers.

“Let’s call her now,” said Marjorie.

“Hi, sweetheart. Dad and I had a wonderful time. Thank you so much. Damien’s turned into a very handsome young man. He sends you his love.”

“Did you really like it?” said Deirdre anxiously. “You never know if the reviews are accurate.”

“The food was delicious,” said Marjorie. “It’s so nice for me when someone else does the cooking. And Dad only picked his teeth once or twice, I promise you."

“What?” gasped Deirdre. “Wait… you two…. you’re pulling my leg, right?”

Marjorie and Robert shook with laughter as they waved her goodbye.