The Way We Were

The Way We Snipe

"This is your first night off in weeks. Months really and you want to host a dinner party for Tina and the new kid?" Mal crossed his arms.

Marcy sighed as she filled another potato skin with mixture. "I promised I'd help her get with him. As you've said, this is my first night off in a while so this is the only time I could do it. My next night off is in December."

"Why can't she get this guy on her own and we spend the night together?"

"You know Tina's really shy. And I've talked to Sam. He's shy, too."

"Why do we have to pair them up? Why can't any of your other friends?"

"They're your friends, too."

He rolled his eyes. "You're my friend."

"Please, Mal? I don't know what you have against dinner parties but can you just do me this one solid?" She got up and put her arms around his neck.

He pressed her close and breathed in her fruity scent. "I guess. But you have to stay up with me and talk."

"Are you kidding? I have-" His brow rose. "I mean sure."

He kissed her quickly. "What do you want me to do?"

"Check on the lasagna."

W.W.W.

"Thank you so much." Tina hugged Marcy as she hung up her coat. "I'm so nervous I think I'm going to throw up."

"He ain't that cute." Marcy joked.

Tina gave a hysterical giggle.

"Okay, you need to calm down. Come help me in the kitchen." Marcy took her arm.

Tina took deep breaths. "Do I look alright?"

Marcy looked at her black silk shirt with full tiered skirt. "It's a lot of black. Aren't you hot?"

Tina gave her a look. "I'm a goth."

"That didn't answer my question."

Tina breathed deeply. "No, Marcy. I am not hot."

"Too bad. I think you're hot."

Tina stared at her. "Was that just a long set up?"

"Nope." Marcy let her go and went to the oven to check on the buns.

"Wow! Those smell delicious! What are you making?" Tina sat on a stool.

"Lasagna, twice baked potatoes, Caesar salad and my Nana's cook's honey buns with Parm." Marcy slid the buns back into the oven. "Do you want some wine? It'll calm your nerves."

"Yes, please. I love coming over to your house. I feel like such a grown up."

"Why?" Marcy poured her a glass of red.

"You don't get it but you're kind of sophisticated."

Marcy burst out laughing. "Not even a little bit!"

"You are!" Tina sipped.

"Pfft!" Marcy rolled her eyes. "Sam will be here any minute. Have you thought of what to talk about?"

"I thought maybe you and Mal could talk to him for me."

"T!" Marcy set her hands on her hips.

"You've already talked to him! I don't know what to say!"

Marcy sighed. "He's into comic books-"

"I don't know anything about comic books. Artie and I used to fight about that."