Traveling Vivian

Chapter SixtyNine - The Date

Felix was charming, sweet, smooth and everything a man should be. His words enticed me to a frenzy of fine headaches and soothing comfort of kisses and hugs. My heart raced when we planned dates for a night or so. Every phone call or text I got I was happy to know it was from him. Best part of Felix was he welcomed Ella as his own baby. He loved Ella as much as I did and he got her toys and food whenever she needed it. He offered to watch Ella when I was at work and he offered to take her out for a day at the park. Felix was the man I needed to be the father figure of Ella.

We were out for a dinner date while Linlee watched Ella. Felix and I clung our arms together as we strolled down the boardwalk. We walked by shops and places to eat as the water for the harbor crashed into the pier. People were walking about as the next cruise ship boarded their next four hundred passengers.  Felix held my hand and kissed my forehead.

“Vivian, have you ever been in a cruise before?” He asked.

I looked at the ship as it blew it’s horns. The funnels sprouted out exhaust as I shook my head. Calvin was too busy to ever plan an extraordinary trip and Phil never thought much about me. “Sadly no.” I answered as I sighed.

“Vivian we have to go on one! It is fun! I love it and I take trips there every season or so.” Felix mumbled.

I nodded and clapped my hands with glee. “Yes! Let’s do it then! Spring is just around the corner.”

Felix nodded and said, “Alright. I will call for a date soon. Come on. We have reservations for Little Italy.”

I looked at the quaint corner Felix pointed and gasped. Standing in the corner was a tall brick building, about forty stories, and on the top of the building held the neon bright green sign “Little Italy”, I opened my eyes wide and quickly ran to the corner. I heard Felix running behind me as I giggled.

“Vivian! We could do some Christmas shopping too! The thirtieth through thirty-nine floors are all stores to shop. It’s our mall here in Chicago.  Come on! I bet you’re hungry. I know I am,” Felix said as he caught up to me.

I smiled brightly and a footman opened the door to the steady and beautiful building. Christmas ornaments adorned the walls as a massive rug covered the golden wooden floors. I held Felix’s hand as we got to the elevator. The elevator packed with hungry people or nervous shoppers. Another man pressed the button and we were off . The elevator was marbled with black tiled walls with speckles of glitter. There was cheerful Christmas songs playing as people chattered about presents. I looked at Felix and tighten my grip around his hand.

We arrived at our destination as people slowly exited out through their floors. I looked at the footman and thanked him. Immediately, there was a glass door that separated the restaurant and the elevator. To the right, there was a bar and when we opened the door to the restaurant, a romantic setting with dimmed lights surrounded the place. Square tables covered with white cloth crossed the room with couples sitting in them. There were a few open tables and in the far back, there were glass windows in which anyone could see the tall skyscrapers of the city along with the highest tower, the clock tower.

We followed our blonde hostess to the table and I gasped. In the farthest back right corner by the window, was our table. It was covered with red cloth instead of white and it had roses in a beautiful black vase in the center of the table. I smiled and laughed a bit at Felix as he held my hand and we sat down. I looked at the menu and before I knew it, I knew what I wanted. I looked at Felix as he skimmed over the drink menu. Felix was a bit older than me but at least he was set with life. He had a tattoo parlor and he loved rock and roll. I was only seventeen but I knew I wanted to be with him. We could have it all. I looked at the waitress as she placed a basket of fresh baked warm bread in the center along with a soufflé of olive oil drizzled with garlic.