Very Un-James-like
“Images flash before my eyes, James.” Martha was quiet. Usual for her when she was troubled. But not for long. James was a patient man, so continued reading his evening newspaper. “Are you sure you want to travel into the snow and mountains?” He folded his paper neatly and set it aside. He hadn’t told her that he was having second thoughts. James Digby, not one to spontaneity, always needed a plan. After reading his brother’s letter the week before, he had wanted to visit Tom right away. Thus the suggestion for a winter holiday. Martha had been both excited and hesitant at the time. They’d had little talk about it in the days to follow, but he had noticed that Martha had been unusually quiet, so hadn’t brought it up. “Yes, I heard you. What has you worried?”
“Oh, all the airport issues that have been in the news, people not getting to where they want to go or getting home. I know that most of that is the south holidays but I can’t help but think it would affect all the rest of travel. Then, we really aren't ‘snow people’ James. And I heard Miss Emelina saying there is a new Omicron variant out there. Something about more transmission or something. James we can’t afford to get sick and not be at home and Tom and Sofia get sick because of us……..” She stopped to take a breath. “ Martha, I’ve had second thoughts as well. I just wanted to see Tom when I brought it up, but I’ve had time to consider all the risks. We’re not that young anymore. I also saw the pandemic issues brought up in the paper tonight.”
Martha brightened. “Let’s go out to supper James! It’s been too quiet around here and we’re getting to be a couple of old fogeys.” She already had her jacket on, and picked up her purse. “Wait for me!” James had been ready to just put his feet up and listen to some opera. It was his habit to enjoy the quiet. “I guess we have been too quiet, but shouldn’t we be cautious about this new variant. A restaurant?”
“James Digby, don’t be an old fuddy-duddy. Of course we should be cautious, but if we go to our same restaurant, wear our masks and do all that social distancing, we should be all right. They are so good about cleaning all the tables, still wearing masks…..they take care of their customers.” She handed him his jacket, took out their umbrellas and started out the door. “It’s still wet from the snow, Martha, be careful where you step.”
~~~~~
Arriving at the restaurant, it had started to rain heavily just as they parked. “It’s not much of a walk to the door, but let’s not get soaking wet before we go in.” James agreed and they both hoisted their umbrellas against the rain's onslaught. A quick glance across the parking lot for cars coming, they walked quickly to the door. Shaking the rain from their umbrellas, they folded them up and stepped into the warm foyer. “Here, James, I brought a bag for them so we don’t drip all over the floor.” Stashing them away, she looked up. “My, it’s busy in here tonight. Isn’t that Samuel and Elizabeth over there.” She waved. Elizabeth had seen them come in and beckoned them over just as the maitre’d was about to ask them where they’d like to sit. “I see our friends over there, dear, we may be joining them.” The young woman nodded and spoke to the next group in line, thinking to herself, ‘I hope they do, because they won’t get a table.’ A new smile pasted on her face behind her black mask, she hoped her eyes crinkled enough and went to the work of escorting the group to the only remaining table.
“Come, join us!” Elizabeth scooched over in the booth to let Martha in. Samuel moved his coat behind him. “Here James, guess this seat’s for you.” Everyone settled, they beckoned their waiter over. Elizabeth volunteered “Could we have two more table settings, please? Our friends are joining us. We can share our menus.” A cheerful young man, he quickly brought the necessary settings. “I’ll bring water for everyone and give you time to look at the menus.” Samual already knew what he was having and slid his menu over to James. “The Philly steak’s on special tonight. They do a good one here.” Turning to the ladies: “I suppose you’ll be having salads.” Elizabeth looked at him sharply. “Sam Forrester. I cook all day, every day and it’s time for me to have someone else’s cooking. I’m having that fancy steak and mashed potatoes dish ~ see here on the menu. Then I’m having the tiramisu.”
Samuel laughed. “I suppose I’m paying for it all.” Only James and Martha knew that they went on regular date nights and Samuel always paid the tab. If he was ever questioned about it “I’m old fashioned and the man pays for his girl.” Their young man returned to take their orders. The men just saw themselves in the young men doing what he needed to hold body and soul together. The women, a sly nod to each other, saw the young man of their teenage dreams waiting on them. He saw the two couples as ‘elderly’. He had gotten used to being eyed approvingly, by women old enough to be his grandmother. At first embarrassed by it, now he was just respectful of them.
~~~~~
Over their suppers, they had discussed the world’s problems, including the winter trip that the Digby’s had considered. Solving little but the fact winter was no time to be traveling in the mountains, they enjoyed each other’s company away from the Estate. Paying their bills, they went their separate ways. The rain had let up and the clouds had cleared. A oval waning moon, lit up the dark Island night. City streets glistened black, reflecting streetlights and traffic lights. “Let’s drive along the water, Martha. Out of the city’s glare.” Martha patted his arm. “Why James, are you taking me to park? I’m not sure my parents would approve of you keeping me out this late.” He pulled into a parking space above the ocean. “You’ve caught me, my sweet. That’s exactly what I’m doing.” He turned the car off, put his arm around his wife and stroked her hair. She leaned into him and sighed. “It’s been a wonderful evening.”
“Ah me! how sweet is love itself possess’d,
when but love’s shadows are so rich in joy!”
~ William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
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