The Ten Year First Date

The Steak House

Walking through the familiar double doors into the red and black charcoal scented restaurant was becoming a habit. Oh, who was I kidding, it was a habit and always had been. It had been right from student days, through the beginning of the company to now. It wasn't exactly cheap, but it was the best. It was comfortable, tasty and I knew what I wanted without even looking at the menu.

As we sat down, Jeannie only removed her coat and gloves, leaving her hat firmly on the top of her head. Luckily, the Steak House was relaxed enough that she could get away with it. Jeannie flicked out her hair and let it fall around her shoulders. She fiddled with slightly with the neck of the jumper and made all sorts of faces while she did so. I never knew precisely why Jeannie wore polo necks when they got on her nerves so much. I knew that she was getting really annoyed when she rolled the collar down as far as it could go before finally leaving it alone. I smiled and giggled lightly before looking back at my menu just in case it had changed in the last week. It hadn't.

'What?' she asked, making gestures with her arms.

'I thought you said people change.' I giggled, putting my menu down.

'They do.' Jeannie answered, finally happy with her appearance after a little more fiddling.

'Then why are you doing what you always do when something is annoying your neck?' I asked, mentally adding a number one to my score sheet.

'I don't always do anything.' She defended, knowing full well that I was right. Another point was going on the score sheet, but then I rubbed it off again. I didn't want to get too ahead of myself.

'Yeah, you do.' I said, picking up my menu again, mainly for something to hide behind if Jeannie started to kick off. 'So, what are you having then? The usual?'

'Nah.' Jeannie said, shaking her head. 'I'm not that into beef anymore.' This coming from the woman who told me she wanted a divorce over a roast beef dinner!

'Ok.' I nodded, pursing my lips. 'Well, I like beef, so I'm having what I normally have. You take your time, we've got all night – ish.'

'We have?' Jeannie asked, raising her eyebrow.

'Yep, we have.' I said; know that didn't have to be at our final destination until just before midnight. 'So, like I said, just take your time.' Jeannie raised her eyebrow again and picked up her menu. The same waitress that had served me and the "family" a few weeks previously politely walked up to our table. She must have recognised me as I could see her face filled with panic. I felt like saying to her that she needn't have a breakdown as Mattie wasn't with me, but the slight relief on her face when she looked around and saw that it was just Jeannie and I was enough.

'Hello.' She said politely, pen and paper at the ready.

'Hi there.' I said, closing my menu. 'I'll have the ten-ounce rib eye, medium rare, with all the fixings please.'

'And for the lady?' the waitress asked, turning to Jeannie.

'The grilled chicken pasta please with a side of garlic cheese bread.' She answered. The poor waitress looked as though she was going to keel over! She looked back at me with a face like thunder. Apparently, this girl had been brought up by the religion of the cow, and she was already mentally planning my death in her head but for bringing another non-steak loving person through her doors.

'And to drink?' she almost seethed.

'Bottle of red?' I asked, offering the question to Jeannie who just nodded. 'Bottle of red.' I confirmed. The waitress grabbed the menus and sloped off, the steam almost visible from her ears. Jeannie and I watched her go before looking at each other and bursting out laughing.