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“OK.”
“Is everything OK?” I asked. He sounded so tense.
“Yeah. I’ll see you later.”
Later at Bacchanalia looked more like earlier at Fado.
I went home and changed into a short black minidress I’d been saving for months. I’d freeze my ass off in the December cold, but it would be worth it when Ian saw my legs out. Before I left, I rolled a clumsy joint with the marijuana and set it out on the coffee table beside the couch. “Here’s hoping,” I said, winking at it.
I stepped into Bacchanalia like applause was certain. I was sure Ian had gotten there early and had a bouquet of red roses waiting for me. There were flowers, but no Ian.
A waitress with green eyes and a bouncy ponytail led me to the table Ian had reserved. There was a beautiful arrangement of flowers sitting in my seat.
I picked them up and smelled them before placing them on the table.
“Would you like something to drink while you wait for Mr. Dupree?” the waitress asked.
“No. I’m sure he’ll be here any minute.”
Minutes went by. The tables around me started changing courses. I began to look odd sitting there alone.
The waitress came back with water and a new question.
“Perhaps a glass of dessert wine? Sweet for your birthday?” she asked suggestively.
“Sure,” I agreed. I was beginning to get anxious and wanted to settle my nerves.
The tables around me were moving onto their third course. The couple sitting beside me asked if I would take their picture. I looked at my watch a few times.
Soon my wine was almost gone.
TO: IAN DUPREE
TIME: 8:47pm
Hey Babe. I’m at the restaurant waiting for you
Where are you?
TO: IAN DUPREE
TIME: 9:13pm
Hello? What’s going on? Still here waiting . . . My bday
will be over in a few hours. Hurry.
TO: IAN DUPREE
TIME: 9:36pm
What’s up?
The waitress came over and asked very politely if I was expecting my guest any time soon and if I wanted to order anything. Hidden in her tone was a rush to turn the table over to another reservation. “I won’t charge you for the wine,” she said sympathetically. “And the flowers were on the house. Your date told us it was your birthday.” She smiled and signaled for the waiter to come and pour me another glass.
TO: IAN DUPREE
TIME: 9:50pm
