Learning to Live

Chapter 9

Halfway through our dinner, a familiar couple at the next table caught my eye. A balding, overweight man with a salt and pepper mustache and a beautiful middle-aged brunette with a bobbed haircut. I take a bite of my pork chop and almost choke on it when I realize it's Jon's parents.

Mr. Wells' eyes met mine. He gets out of his seat with a grin on his face. "Oh no," I muttered to myself. I put my hand over my forehead, trying to hide my face.

The Mrs. was alright but Mr. Wells has this habit, when he's greeting someone--especially men, he would always tap them on their shoulder so hard, that it felt like someone was hitting you with a brick...a small brick but it still hurts.

Shana looks at me confused, "Ian, what's wrong?" She turns around and notices Mr. Wells approaching us. "Do you know him?"

I open my mouth to answer her, but before the words could come out, I suddenly felt a stinging pain on my shoulder. My body tenses at the pain. His strident voice rings in my ears, "Ian my boy! How are you doing?" His breath is strong of alcohol.

"Mr. Wells. I'm fine thank you." I glance at Shana who was smiling politely at him. I pull my blazer closer to my chest, "Enjoying your evening I see."

He holds on to the back of my chair and relieves my aching shoulder. "Yes, with my lovely wife, Evelyn." He points at his wife, who was still at their table sipping wine. She waves her hand at us while I waved back at her. "We're celebrating our anniversary. Could you believe it? I've been married to that beautiful woman for 30 years. Thirty years!" He added.

"Well, I'm happy for you. Happy Anniversary Judge Wells."

Upon hearing his name Shana eyes widen, "Excuse me, Judge Wells?"

"Yes?" He answers Shana.

I tilt my head, "Do you know him?"

Shana's eyes light up, "Know him? Ian, not only is he a great supreme court Judge. He's also a published author." She looks at Judge Wells, "Sir, I've read all your books."

Mr. Wells chuckles, "all three of them?" She nods. "Which was your favorite?" He asks.

"From my mother's mind was my personal favorite. That memoir you wrote for your mother was both brilliant and beautiful. I wish I had a copy, so you could autograph it for me."

"I'll do you one better." Mr. Wells turns to me, "Ian, why don't you and uh--"

"Oh, I'm Shana Dante, Mr. Wells..."

He continues, "Why don't you and Ms. Dante come by on Sunday for brunch?"

Shana clasps her hands and grins. It made me so happy seeing that she was having a great time. "Yes, thank you. We'll love that, Mr. Wells."

She gets up and shakes his hand, "it was certainly a pleasure to meet you Judge Wells, and thank you for the invitation."

He kisses her hand. "The pleasure is all mines, Ms. Dante." Shana blushes and sits down. "Ian, this one's a keeper Huh?" He nudges my aching shoulder with his elbow. I stare at Shana and smile as he said, "Look at her. She's stunning, polite and smart...of coarse she's smart. She reads my books!" He laughs very loudly.

Shana bent her head and was clearly blushing. "Thank you."

"You're lucky Ian. I wish my son would bring home a woman like that. He's always bringing these unintelligent, classless girls to meet us. Sure they're pretty but it's nothing without the brain. Do you know what I mean? I don't know where he gets it from though." He notices a young blonde woman at the table behind us and winks at her.