BAD WINE CRAPPY CHOCOLATE

CHAPTER SIXTEEN-2

Jesse watched this self-assured individual suddenly become bewildered by the way fate, real or imagined, had slighted him. She recognized the expression on his face: Jesse often found herself wondering if there was something, or someone, missing from her life. Certainly these feelings were in part caused by the loss of her parents, but this longing could not be fully explained by that tragic event. There was the specter of a person who had brought excitement and passion to the young woman's life lingering on the edge of her consciousness.

Jesse felt uncomfortable, yet managed to find the right thing to say.

    "Like I said, Daniel, it's too soon for this conversation. We'll talk some other time."

    "It wasn't supposed to be like this," he mumbled to himself before walking away.

    Jesse watched him walk across the crowded room. Foster came upon the group speaking with Chris Cane, and the eyes of the two gray haired men met for an instant. Somewhere in the nether regions of their minds they knew each other—all too well, each would have remarked, if they could have grasped the vestiges remaining from the events that had been undone. As it was, Foster simply melted back into the vociferous crowd.

    Senator Cane walked over to the dining area. All the tables were full, and he loathed the idea of sharing one with someone else. The people would invariably bring up some unfilled want or need (in most cases, the former) that they expected the senator to address, even if he was about to retire. Chris looked around and saw a solitary figure sitting at a table in the corner.

    I guess there's no choice. At least that fellow is by himself. I can handle one person at a time.

    "Do you mind if I join you?" Cane asked him.

    "No, not at all," the man replied.

    "How's the food here?"

    "It's pretty good. And I'm glad it is, because I recommended the caterer."

    Chris sampled the filet mignon on his plate and concurred.

    "This is good."

    "And there's the man who's responsible for it now. Hey Chou!"

    Gino Chou walked over to their table.

    "Hey, Max. How's it going?'

    "Not bad, my friend," Bardy replied. "The senator is enjoying your food. You must have ordered it from another restaurant."

    "I'm glad you like it, senator," Gino said in an appreciative tone. Then to Max, with a grin: "You wouldn't know fine cuisine if it bit you in the ass, Mr. Bardy."

    "And you should have kept the bar. You're a natural born liquor man."

    "There was too much riffraff in that place. You oughta know, because you were one of them. Do you see that guy Hoochie Koo anymore?"

    "Not in years," Bardy said. "Marriage has made rowdy nights a thing of the past for me."

     "God only knows what I would have turned into if I kept that place. The restaurant is a better gig."

    "I met my wife at that bar, so don't knock it."

    "Where is Fran?" Gino asked him.

    "My kid Ernie had a play tonight, so she went to see it. And speaking of wives, tell yours I said hi."

    "I'll give Tiffany your regards. I've got to get back to the kitchen. Thanks again for recommending me, Max. Nice to meet you senator."

    Bardy watched him leave with a smile. The two men ate in silence for a while before the senator spoke.