It Is What It Is

The Lunch Date

Jesus fuck why does she have to look that good on a weekday? Sarah thought to herself as Jessica entered the restaurant. Jessica was dressed head to toe in black. Black jeans, a simple black tank top, a black blazer, black heels, and a large orange purse in contrast with all of the black. 

Sarah stood up and gave Jessica a soft smile and a quick kiss before the both of them sat down. 

"Hey." Sarah said.

"Hi..."

The two women sat in silence, eyes locked on each other, until their waiter made his presence know.

"Hello ladies, my name is Gregory, I'll be taking care of you two this afternoon. What drinks can I set you guys up with?"

"An iced tea for me, please." Jessica said without breaking eye contact with Sarah.

"Make that two teas." Sarah said.

Poor Gregory, he could practically feel the tension in the air between the two women.

"Alright, I'll be right back with those teas for ya'll." Gregory said quickly and walked away.

Jessica picked up her menu on the table and thumbed the laminated pages opened. Skimming over the endless choices of sandwiches, burgers, salads, and soups, she found herself most distracted by the woman sitting next to her.

"Sarah, what's good here?"

"Umm, well, their bacon cheeseburgers are pretty good. But, I'm sure that you'll probably like something other than a burger..."

"A burger sounds good to me.."

Honestly, at this point anything sounded good as long as she was with Sarah.

Gregory came back with the teas.

"Here we go." He said setting them down,"Are you ladies ready to order?"

"We sure are. Looks like its going to be two bacon cheeseburgers."

"Of course. How would you liked those cooked?"

"Medium, please."

"No problem. Anything else?"

Sarah looked at Jessica, who was shaking her head.

Gregory scribbled down the order and walked away with a nod.

As soon as her turned, Jessica grabbed Sarah's hand and started to trace her big knuckle with her thumb. 

"You look beautiful today." Jessica whispered so no one would hear them.

"Jess, I'm literally in a sweatshirt and leggings."

"That's beautiful to me."

The whole exchange was done as quietly as possible. Their relationship was still very new and they didn't want the press to hound them right away. God knows they both had their fair share of questions. Jessica liked to keep things quiet and behind closed doors. Not because she was ashamed, it's just the kind of person she was. Sarah, on the other hand, wanted to shout out to the world that she was dating the one and only Jessica Lange, but she respected her lover and kept it quiet. 

"You wanna know something Jess?"

"What's that, darling?"

Sarah lean forward so that only Jessica could hear her.

"I can't wait until I can kiss you in public. I can't wait until we show up to a premier or something and you're on my arm. I can't wait." 

Jessica's other hand came up to cover her mouth while she kept he eyes down at the table. Her cheeks now had a tinge of red to them and Sarah could tell that Jessica was smiling.

"Yes, well...I feel the same way. I'm just not ready yet." Jessica whispered back before taking a large gulp of her tea.

Sarah gave an understanding smile.

"For now, I have all that I want, even if it is hidden from everyone. I wouldn't change a thing, Jess."

Jessica squeezed Sarah's hand a bit to show what she couldn't say aloud.

For the next 15 minutes, the two sat in a comfortable silence, slowly sipping their tea and lost deep in thought. 

Gregory soon came holding two white plates containing their lunch. 

"Alright, here we go. Anything else I can get for you two?"

Jessica looked at the pile of salty fries next to her burger.

"Some ketchup would be nice." She said politely.

"Of course, Ms. Lange." He said and he turned to retrieve the condiment.

Sarah raised one eyebrow.

"What?" Jessica asked.

"The legendary Jessica Lange eating a burger and fries with ketchup." Sarah said right before Gregory placed the bottle on the table.

"Yes. And? Honey, it's a crime to eat fries without ketchup." Jessica said squirting the red liquid onto her plate.

"I just never would have pictured you eating like that. Like, with your bare hands." 

"Sarah. I am human too, you know. And bacon cheeseburgers are probably my most favorite food in this whole wide world."