Mr. Mendes

chapter 15 - the date

I hear my heels click on the dimly lit pavement as I'm lead into a fancy Italian restaurant. I stand behind Jack as he talks to the waitress on the front of house about our table. While I'm waiting my gaze wanders and I take a moment to look at the interior of the restaurant.

The room is coldly lit, lamps on every side of the wall, which is made out of exposed cream brick. The vibe is somewhat welcoming although Jack and I did get some stares from older people who were probably wondering where our parents were.

The waitress and Jack finish their conversation and she leads us over to our table. It was directly opposite a large bay window. Disappointingly, the view was not of a hot costal beach, but actually of the car park in front. As we're walking, I pull down my figure hugging dress so it didn't look too short, I didn't want Jack getting the wrong idea. I sit opposite the window so I can look out into the distance if I get bored. The girl hands us two leather bound menus and tells us the specials for the evening after taking our drinks orders. I see Jack watching her as she walks away and into the kitchen. He turns back to me and gives me a small warm smile.

"So any ideas on what you're having?" He asked while perusing through the options himself.

"Everything is so expensive, I don't know if I can afford this." I said quietly, sighing a little.

"Don't worry about it. I'm paying. It's my treat." He said dismissively

"No it's okay, I at least want to pay for my own." I admired the fact that he was trying to be chivalrous, but it didn't seem because he actually wanted to treat me. It was more like he had the money to give away.

"Seriously, I don't mind." He laughed a little, trying to break up the tense atmosphere.

I decided not to challenge him, knowing that he wouldn't back down anyway and it would just cause unnecessary commotion.

The waitress from earlier returns with our drinks and then takes our food orders along with the menus. I'm trying to think of something, anything to say, but nothing is coming to mind. I thought this would be fun, not the most pretentious and awkward meal I've ever been to.

"So Jack, do you have any hobbies? You like football right?" My mind finally thought of a conversation starter.

"Yeah. It's really great. I love the fact that we're all a team and we're in it together, whether we win or lose."

Football is probably the only thing you have ever stayed committed to.

"That's really nice. Anything else?" I asked, trying to drag out this theme as long as possible.

"No, not really." He didn't ask about me and the conversation dried up again. I looked out the window at the cars that were pulling into the restaurant. I almost spat out my drink as I saw whose car just pulled into the lot.

Oh no. Not you. Anyone but you.

Mr. Mendes.

"Eleanor are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost." He said, scanning my features with moderate concern.

"Um, yeah, fine," I paused and took a breath, "Sorry, I thought I saw someone I knew."

"Why is that such a problem?" He laughed, "Do you not want to be seen with me or something?"

That's exactly my problem.