Theresa's Choice

Part 6

                  

"Well, shit," said James. His car, the one they used to ride to the restaurant, had stopped and broken down for the fourth time.

                "The restaurant is still two blocks away," said James, kicking on the gas pedal.

                "We could just walk," said Tessa, "I don't mind. Just park the car there." She motioned to the parking of lot of the amusement park they passed. James silently agreed and prayed that the car could move just until the lot. It finally went back to life after two minutes of trying. The car was parked, and Tessa and James were walking once again hand in hand. Their walk was silent; they were admiring the peaceful surroundings, the trees, the lights, and the cool air. They looked up at the night sky and saw the brilliant stars flashing above.  They reached the restaurant in about three minutes.

                "The reservation is under what name?"

                "Painterly"

                "Right this way, sir," said the waiter. They were led into the vast dining hall inside filled with many tables where others were already enjoying their evening. Ladies in fancy dresses and men in suits laughed the night away in this ornamented and luxurious room. The dining hall, one of the finest in St. John's, housed a grand restaurant. The food was expensive but delicious. It was a popular spot for many of the people for an evening out.

                "Our wine menu, sir," said the waiter handing James the menu.

                "A bottle of Tenuta Tignanello, please,"

                "Excellent, and for your meal, sir?"

                "We'll have the butternut squash soup,"

                "And for your entrée, sir?"

                "Lamb chops"

                "Very good, sir," said the waiter and left.

                "You like lamb, right?" James said, somewhat nervously.

                "Of course," said Tessa, "and I'm also impressed with the wine choice."

                "I asked my dad for advice," said James, "he chose this restaurant actually."

                "That's nice," said Tessa, smiling.

                "Tessa," said James suddenly and seriously, "I know what you might be thinking-"

                "Your wine," said the waiter out of nowhere, holding the bottle in his right hand. James's face of indignation and embarrassment at the interruption went unconcealed as the waiter poured out the wine. At the sight of James's face, Tessa laughed. Their glasses were filled with the aromatic liquid, and the waiter left them.

                "As I was saying," said James trying to regain his composure, "I don't want to give the wrong impression that I'm only asking you out because the Choosing Ceremony is near. In truth, the Ceremony actually helped me gather myself and the courage to ask you out.

                "You see, I've liked you for a while now, and I wanted to take the girl I would choose at the ceremony out on a first date."

                Tessa felt a mixture of relief and newfound affection for James. It never occurred to her at all that the person she liked reciprocated her feelings. She thought of how this relationship could have started much earlier had one of them confessed to the other.