Tears Of London

Rendez-vous

JO

It is the end of the week, when Alex calls me.
I'm at my childhood house with my parents for the monthly Saturday lunch. It is a tradition in our family. Only Peter was missing, but Kelly came with an old friend my mom loves to fill the void on the fifth chair.
I make sure to leave the table before picking up my phone. My parents are sticklers for good manners, even with each other.
- Hello ?
- Hi Jo, it's Alex.
- Yeah, I know. How are you ?
- I'm great...um...are you free tonight ? he asks through the phone.
- Sure. Why ?
- I would like to see you.
- Your timing is perfect, I wanted to go out tonight.
- Well, great. A restaurant, is that okay for you ?
I think about it a minute : I didn't earn so much money that month, as I haven't go to work a lot. Eating at a restaurant...it would not be so smart.
It's okay, I'll eat butter and salt pastas for the next weeks. I can do it.
- That's perfect. Do you want me to take you on the road ? I ask.
- Well...yes, why not.
- Can't wait, I say, happy to realise I'll see him.
I see Kelly is listening to me, from the kitchen table. She's looking at me with big joyful eyes, mouth open as she mimes a girly scream of excitement. I told her about him, the other day. That day, he had escorted me to the threshold of our apartment.
I quickly introduced him to Kelly, who already loves him. She knows we're not together yet, but she already visualises our wedding.
She says he's perfect.
She said she was jealous of me.
"Why" did I ask her. "Aren't you happy with Malcolm ?"
"I love Malcolm", she answered. "But he is not the kind of guy we keep".
- Can't wait too, Alex says. See you tonight, beautiful.