The Way We Were

The Way We Dinner Party

Marcy hummed as she slid the spinach and artichoke puffs out of the oven. They were just homemade spinach and artichoke dip layered in phyllo dough and baked. She used a spatula to put them on a plate and put the pan in the sink.

Moving around the kitchen, she put the oven back on the correct temperature for the pork roast she had baking then went to fix the salad.

She was having a dinner party. Her very first and she was excited. She felt like an adult and couldn't wait to brag to her sisters, who had yet to have their own.

She only invited two couples, Karen and Vic and Mari and Sebastian. Mari and Sebastian weren't dating but Marcy hoped to change that by the end of the dinner.

She began singing as she chopped salami, provolone and mozzarella into cubes and put it in her special vinaigrette to absorb the flavors. She set the bowl in the fridge to chill.

With that finished, she went to check on the rest of her appetizers. She had Swedish meatballs warming on the stove so she cut that off and scooped them into a bowl.

She set it aside and went to slice and peel pears and apples. When she was done, she put a bit of gorgonzola cheese in the middle and wrapped Italian bacon around the entire thing and struck a toothpick through it.

She finished doing that and placed them on a serving platter before moving on to a cheese board. She used Edam cheese, Swiss cheese and a sharp Cheddar along with toasted sesame crackers, grapes and strawberries.

She brought both platters out to the dining room and set them on the sideboard before going for the meatballs (bringing toothpicks) and puffs.

The doorbell rang.

She looked up with a start and wiped her hands on her apron before adjusting her green crushed velvet sheath dress with tights and slouch booties. Her hair was pulled back into a low ponytail with a bow. "Mal?!"

Mal walked in wearing nice jeans, a dark blue plaid shirt with a tie. "Want me to open the door?"

"I'll go with you."

"Aren't you glad nobody's here? They'd talk about us for being nervous." Their family was out with the twins to get dinner to allow them privacy.

Marcy let out a breath as the doorbell rang again. "I'm not nervous. I'm excited."

"Well come on, Excited." He held his hand out for her to take.

She smiled and went to him. They went to the door and opened it. It was Karen and Vic. "Hey!"

Karen smiled in her black and white checkered fifties inspired dress. "Hey!"

"Hello. You look beautiful, Karen." Mal complimented.

"Thank you, Mal. You look nice."

"Hello." Victor Stone smiled. He was wearing black pants, a white button up shirt and a dark blue dinner coat.

"Come in." Marcy stood to the side.

They walked in and Mal led them to the dining room. "Would you like a glass of wine?"

"A glass of wine?" Karen took off her heavy winters coat.

Mal took it and Vic's. "Yeah. Unless you want a wine cooler? Vic, you can have one of my dad's beers."

Vic's eyebrows moved. "I'll take one. I gotta drive."

Mal nodded and disappeared with their coats.

Marcy pointed to the spread. "Help yourselves. I'll be right back." She went into the kitchen to grab the bottle she'd been drinking from and came back with a beer bottle.