Drue, Jen and Joey sat down at a table in the café. Coffee and muffins fulfilled the purpose of breakfast that particular Friday.
“I don’t see what there is to discuss,” Jen complained. “I’m not posing for your art class.” Joey had been taking these classes on the side, needing to get enough credits to graduate while pursuing her hobby.
Drue raised an eyebrow as Joey continued begging. “Please? You could make sixty bucks.”
“I don’t care.”
Drue interjected, “Is this about the human form?” Joey nodded. “Hmm, maybe you should, Jenny Penny. Why deprive the students of NYU of such an opportunity?”
“Why would you want other people, other guys for that matter, to see your girlfriend naked?”
“Because you have an amazing body?” He grinned, then added lewdly, “I need an excuse to see why Joey’s so interested in your participation. Maybe I’ll luck out and she’ll be all hot and bothered over the experience.”
That was rewarded with a punch in his arm from Jen and a glare from Joey.
As Joey and Drue argued, Jen was paying attention to the lady who just sat down. She was a short lady with long graying hair in a braid who came to this café every day. She slowly sipped her espresso while reading a newspaper. If Jen squinted, she could picture it was her grandmother sitting there. Grams could very easily be doing something resembling that back in the small town.
Joey snapped her fingers in front of Jen’s face, getting her back in the conversation. “You okay?”
Drue groaned, “Not again. You watch her practically every day. Why is that?”
“I wonder what her life’s like. She speaks fluent English; I’ve heard her chatting with the guy at the counter. Yet she reads La Repubblica.”
Joey looked over at her. There was something that seemed familiar. Maybe it was how she had such a welcoming demeanor. “Would you just go and talk to her? She’ll love to hear what you have to say.”
Jen rolled her eyes but obliged as she stood up and approached the table.
Drue shook his head. “How did that work for you and not me? I’ve been begging her for months.”
“Because those are the exact words she tells me when I’m in a club except for the opposite gender. Maybe she feels guilty about all the losers that have come out of it.” She shrugged, “So now that Jen’s away, when are you proposing to her?”
“I thought I’d do so on February 13th. That way, should this not work out, I won’t ruin Valentine’s Days in her future.”
“Leave it to you to get pessimistic regarding getting engaged.”
“Marriage is the beginning of the end of your life.” Drue took a bite from his muffin and offered Joey a shrug.
Joey snickered, “No wonder you two have survived this long.”
Jen returned to the table before Drue could reply. “How would you like a dinner at an upscale restaurant?”
“That depends why. Does it involve annoying your parents again?”
“Um, no.” Jen blushed as she recalled the ways she’d used him in the past in bouts of revenge.
“Actually, I suggested it.” The Italian lady interrupted, her accent carrying through the air. “I see you two here together often. It would be a different experience.” She patted Drue on the shoulder to emphasize her point.
Jen grinned at that. She’d been trying to think of a way to propose to him and saw this as a golden opportunity. “Rita, I’d like you to meet my boyfriend Drue and my friend Joey.”
“Joey?” Rita inquired. “That’s a unique name.”
“It’s short for Josephine.”
“Ahh, Josephina. Bellisima. One of my daughters has that as a middle name. Anyway, it wouldn’t exactly hurt business either.”
Jen chimed in excitedly, “Her husband and her son co-own the restaurant. Rita’s the hostess.”
“It’s a family affair. Some are cooking, some are waiting tables. They’re all around.”
Drue replied, “Sounds just like…” He was interrupted by Joey kicking him in the shin.
Joey continued as if she was finishing his sentence, “…a wonderful close-knit family.” Now she knew why the lady seemed familiar. She’d seen a photo of Rita in her own home, as a matter of fact. That meant that the family wasn’t entirely the way it sounded.
Rita smiled warmly, “That’s more or less true. There aren’t many cohesive family units nowadays.” She didn’t notice Joey’s frown but it did catch Drue’s attention. Jen was too enthralled with her manner to detect anything abnormal. “If you want, I could reserve you a table. It can get very busy.”
Jen exclaimed, “That would be great. Wouldn’t it, sweetie? Or, could even consider a double date…” If she picked the right date, she could get Pacey in town so she was among friends when popping the question.
“Oh, no you don’t, Jennifer Lindley!” Joey scolded.
Rita held onto Joey’s wrist, startling her. “Actually, it would be wonderful if you could. You have to take advantage of any opportunity. A dinner among friends is worth savoring.”
Joey protested, “This should be a romantic dinner, not one with tagalongs.”
Jen kidded, “Haven’t you realized a referee is required?” To Rita, she replied, “I see us needing a table for four in the near future. Maybe even this Friday night.” Jen winked at Rita while Joey groaned in defeat.
“That could be arranged.” She checked her watch. “I have to open today. But I’m sure I’ll see you again before then to settle on details. Or…” She dug through her purse until she found a business card and handed it to Jen. “You can call me. I normally make the reservations anyway so it shouldn’t be a problem. Have a nice day.”
Jen smiled, shaking her hand, “Thank you. You too.”
When Rita left, Drue gave Joey a dirty look. “What the hell did you kick me for?”
“I can’t believe you two were buying that bullshit!” Joey exclaimed.
Jen cooed, “Oooh, who woke up on the wrong side of the bed today? Or should I say, every day.”
“Do you have any clue who she is?”
“Huh?”
“Check out the business card.”
Jen finally checked the card. She then realized there was a significant problem. “You knew?! And you let me make a fool of myself?”
“No, not at first. But as she began talking, especially about the family business, it clicked.”
“How long has it been?”
“My understanding is they haven’t talked since before we met him. They talk through relatives because his dad is such an asshole. He knows the address, yet doesn’t give a shit.”
“Do you think Rita knew who we were?”
“That would depend what information his siblings provide.”
Drue was lost as to what the ladies were talking about. He propped his head on his hand, watching them discuss this.
Joey continued, “It’s a shame we can’t get him here this early in the morning. I mean, he gets home from work about three in the morning. There’s no way he’d come here at 9 without a very good lie. I’m not sure it would be worth it. He obviously won’t set foot in the restaurant; the whole family would be ready to attack.”
“Here’s what we’ll do. We will have a dinner there and sneak Charlie into the conversation. His mom, after all, has no problem hearing second-hand information about her son. Maybe he’ll get that job with the reputable play he’s been practicing. After all, ‘The Incredibly Disappearing Budget Extravaganza with Special Guest The Script Holes’ has to be closing soon. Rita seems rather cultured so it could work.”
Joey nodded, “Parents, despite what they say, want their children to be successful and happy.” She then rescinded that remark, “The possibility of one out of two ain’t bad.”