Love at first Meal

6. Of People and Patience

The dialing tones droned on, the phone kept ringing, Sophia started to fidget. Suddenly the ringing stopped and it was silent. "Hi there, you've reached James Donaldson, leave a message and I'll get back to you." An enthusiastic voice said through the speaker, Sophia let out a frustrated sigh. A beep sounded through the phone and Sophia awkwardly spoke, "Er hi," Sophia paused, "I don't know if you meant to give me your number but um anyways, I'm Sophia, the waitress from The Enchantment." Sophia once again paused and tried to think of something to say,"Well I suppose, um, if you want to, call me back?" Sophia clicked the red end button and slumped into the arm chair resting beside her.

The sound of a door slamming open blared through Sophia's apartment, Sophia immediately stood up and rushed to the knife rack. "Honey, I'm home!" A booming voice sounded around the house, a voice that sounded all too familiar. "Dionne!" Sophia shrieked, "You scared the living death out of me!"

"Well, at least you're not a zombie anymore." Was Dionne's sassy remark, the click clack of Dionne's 5 inch high heels came closer to Sophia, Sophia smirked when she saw her friend; she was still taller than Dionne even when Dionne was wearing high heels. Dionne plopped onto the couch and lifted her feet onto the glass coffee table, "Sometimes," she began, "I really regret getting a hospitality degree." Dionne sighed,"I used to love people now they're the bane of my existence; they always want this, or that, or the food isn't arranged right, or the waitress isn't the one they wanted, or they wanted more berry sauce-that kid had sauce left over by the way, heaps of it- it's horrible. Sometimes I want to quit. Sophia, be a dear and get me a glass of water with three ice cubes, a slice of lemon, a straw and a few drops of lime juice."

Sophia stared at Dionne, dumbfounded at her rant. "Well, Sophia! Do I have to repeat myself?" Dionne bluntly said, "Can't you see I have a serious dilemma here? You know what? I had an idea! I should study botany! Oh, Sophia, can't you see, I've found my true calling!"

"Er, Dionne, I think you're tired. Go to sleep."

"No! I have to go home and google botany. Oh I'm so excited." Dionne ran to the door and paused with one foot in along with her head and the rest of her body out, "See you in two days, or tomorrow if I want, anyway, toodles." And with that she was gone. Sophia stood, yawning and walked towards her room. She tripped up and after catching herself looked down to see one of Dionne's high heels. She groaned and picked it up, when would that girl learn, this was the fourth time.

Sophia threw the shoe towards the door in case Dionne came back for it but she didn't think that likely after seeing the look on Dionne's face. She was asleep before her head hit the pillow, she barely had the energy to change into her pajamas.

"Oh my, she lives here? Really? But it's a dump. I mean not literally of course but still, she obviously has taste I mean look at that coffee table, but this place is tiny and on the wrong side of town. Oh yuck! look! Beige! Beige!" The horror in the voice was profound. Sophia looked around, the noise, she realized suddenly, was coming from her living room, she jumped from her bed and tried to sneak towards the source of the sound. She was intercepted by a rainbow creature a tiny bit taller than her that bowled into her and sent Sophia sprawling. It took her awhile to realize that the creature wasn't a creature and was in fact Naomi.

Her pounding heart slowed to a steady rhythm and her breaths evened out. She lay back down onto the ground, her friend still resting partially on top of her. "Hi Naomi, you sounded odd in there, I didn't recognize your voice." Sophia knew she sounded puzzled but it had been rather odd.

"Oh, that? That wasn't me. I'd hoped to save you a little longer from my dear sister and mother but they insisted on coming. Beware they are nightmares." As she said this a strangely eerie voice sliced through the calmness of the apartment, "Naomi!" It screeched, "Where is she, I don't have all day and I want to meet her. You were the one who said we would be standing near each other in the wedding, I have to know my bridesmaid buddy! When did you meet her anyway?" the voice was getting closer, "I mean, I find it a little, hmm, strange that she just randomly appeared."