Operation Rock of Ages: Exodus

ORA: Exodus Chapters 2 - 4

Jayson had set up a table in one corner of the cafeteria as far away from the other seating as possible. He had a small radio playing nearby, softly flowing classical love songs. The table was set with a tablecloth and dishes. It looked like a fancy restaurant, including candles flickering in the middle.

"Wow," Mariam said in appreciation. "It's so beautiful!" Jayson pulled out her chair and, as she sat, he gently pushed her chair in. He purposely had her sitting with her back to the cafeteria for two reasons. First, he knew she would be constantly looking to make sure people weren't watching her and second, so her focus would be on him.

"Normally, we would get menus and I would order for you, if you would allow me, showing off my gentlemanly side. But, since we are not in a fancy restaurant, as I would have preferred for our first date, I have arranged some help to at least make it feel like the real thing," Jayson said looking into her eyes. There was so much more he wanted to say to her, but when he looked at her, his thoughts got all jumbled up. He had planned on being smooth and charming so as to sweep her off her feet, but it just wasn't happening.

Jonathan came to the table with a pitcher of water and filled their water glasses. He tried to look like the snooty French waiter he had experienced on his first date but failed. "Hey, Mariam," he grinned, "I'll be your waiter tonight. What would you like to drink?"

Mariam laughed and reached across to squeeze Jayson's hand. 'Jonathan being the waiter was perfect', Mariam thought. Already feeling less nervous. "Water for now is good, thank you." He nodded and then set a bowl of salad before each of them.

Jayson wanted to groan when Jonathan started speaking. Jonathan was supposed to be acting like a waiter not a friend, but when Mariam laughed and touched his hand and he was a puddle once more. As long as she was enjoying herself that is what counted. Jayson ordered a coke on the rocks to be funny and it kind of fell flat. He mentally took a step back. He knew he was trying too hard and needed to be more natural.

"So," Mariam said once Jonathan left, "where did you find the candles?"

"I made them, too. Engineering helped me with the wiring and the LED hook up. I figured that I would try to recreate what I could since we couldn't go out."

"It's perfect, Jayson. Down to the last touch, perfect. Now, I'm glad Sasha talked me into being a giant Barbie doll. It wouldn't have felt right dressed in normal clothes."

"You take my breath away, Mariam. Thank you for giving me the honor of your first date," Jayson said seriously.

"Thank you for making my first date special," she smiled softly.

Dinner arrived. Jonathan put a tray down on the next table over to start unloading the entrees and Bess came to the table with breadsticks. "I saw you come in and was so glad I didn't make spaghetti," Bess said with a smile. "What, with you in a spiffy white shirt and you in your beautiful dress. Very glad, really." With that Jonathan put a plate down in front of Mariam and then Jayson.

The food looked and smelled delicious. Bess had certainly out-done herself. She definitely was not a typical military cook, running her cafeteria like a 5-star restaurant on a 2-star budget. The things she did with what she had was nothing short of miraculous. Chicken cordon bleu, with her own twist, dirty rice and garlic green beans.

"Bon appetite!" Jonathan said as Bess and he walked away. Jonathan came back a few minutes later and set deserts on the table along with a pitcher of water. "This food is great, I am going to sit down and enjoy it while it's hot," Jonathan said. "Y'all are on your own. I really hope you enjoy this evening."