Food, Music, and Candles

Now that we are alone Jamie looks at me and realizes that she was neither given a menu, nor even given a choice of food. “What’s going on here? Is this like one of those eat what you are given places?”

With us sitting together in this booth I casually put my arm around my sister-in-law and instinctively pull her into me. She slides her body until her form is pressing against my own. “Not usually, but I always get the special so that’s what he was going to bring the both of us. He understood what I was saying for you. You will like it, he brings fish in from Malibu fresh three times a week, some local kids there.”

“Listen Mark, I know you are just being nice, but I reeaally don’t care if it was fresh from Hong Kong daily. I am just worried most of these places cook it too high and burn the flavour out of it.” Jamie says as a heavy sign escapes her.

With the smallest amount of trepidation I reach across Jamie with my back hand and cup it gently around her far cheek and pull her gently towards myself. With little resistance from her, she allows not only her head but her entire body to be pulled to lean against me. With Jamie leaning on me like this, only a few moments with nothing but a peaceful silence. Leaning over I place a gentle kiss on the top of my sister-in-law’s head when she throws herself into my lap and wraps her arms around me and starts to sob uncontrollably again as she throws her face into my chest.

We sit there for only a few more moments when the door opens and two waiters enter. “Your kale and banana smoothie sir. And Mr. Lamorello sent in a bottle of 2006 Aldegheri Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico for the lady. He made some comparisons about beauty and perfection but please forgive me madame, I feel they are not for the unacquainted to repeat.”

With the sudden interruption Jamie stifles her crying. Reaching up to my face with both of her hands she places one on either side of my face. Gently she pulls my face down as she leans upwards and begins to press our lips together in a non sisterly way. While I am completely surprised by the tenderness and intimacy of this kiss I do not pull away. Before I fully register that I am kissing my sister-in-law, Jamie breaks the kiss, looks deep into my eyes, and emotes as much as she says, “Thank you.”

Jamie extricates herself from my lap and takes the place setting beside me. “The bottle has breathed since noon so I do believe it is ready to be enjoyed, would the misses like a glass?” Without a word spoken, Jamie communicates a confirmation that she does. With the expertise expected the waiter pours the single glass. While the first is dealing with the drinks the second waiter pulls out a decorative zippo and lights the three candles at the center of the table. As the pair politely excuses themselves the last one out the door dims the overhead lights to a barely there causing the majority of the illumination to emanate from the candles.

In the now romantic feeling room we once again alone we make eye contact and I see there is still redness throughout her eyes from her short cry session. With us being out I do not want to trigger another emotional outburst in either direction so I stick to fluff conversation topics which seems to make Jamie rather happy. After the briefest of time the waiters return carrying our meals followed by Mauricio.

“Ah my friends your food is ready. Signora I had them make you a halibut lemon press, with a side of steamed vegetables. It is magnifico, but still it pails in comparison to your..”

“Ok ok, Lou, enough flirting with my lovely date. Don’t you have a wife working in that kitchen back there?” I cut off the stout Italian before he possibly goes so far that he upsets Jamie.

“Ah yes signor, my Tesoro is there, but a real stallion is never tamed and must always run.” Mauricio playfully jests.

“And I will be sure to let Chiara know that the gate was left open and her stallion is on the prowl.” I say through a playful chuckle retort.

“Oh signor you wound me so. My Tesoro...” through his throaty baritone he starts. The door to the room opens again and a raven haired voluptuous beauty steps in. The sight of his wife walking in causes the portly Italian to pale. She instantly starts heatedly and firmly talking at him switching back and forth from Italian to English fluidly. Mostly I catch something about being busy and he’s here slacking.

After a cuff for show up the back of Mauricio’s head she turns to us and through an incredibly thick accent, “Signor e Signora please excuse us, we are very busy. Please enjoy your meals.” To which she takes Mauricio’s arm and lead him back into the dining room.