Like Dizzy Gillespie's Cheeks

Sixty-two

The Fog City Diner was a relatively new establishment as far as Chicago eateries go. It's not like a Morton's, or a Chicago Joe's, or Rosebud's, but for some reason, this California import fit in well, as opposed to something like, say, Spago. I played a party there once, and it felt like, once people walked through the doors, they all of a sudden tried way too hard to be something they weren't—patron and employee alike. Me, I was L.A.

With two iced teas on the way, Kate and I sat across from each other looking in opposite directions—there were a lot of people to look at—she, throughout the restaurant, and me, out the window to State Street. At least I think we were on State. Who the hell cares? The important thing is ... I was about to ask her about New Year's.

"Kate." She stopped looking around and started playing with the NutraSweet. "Why do I feel like it's our first date—not that we're on a date—but I've got that sort of nervous, walk-on-eggshells, I'm-not-sure-what-to-say feeling ..."

"Yeah, me too. And yes, Mr. Greene, this is sort of a date. I asked you to lunch, although you already had a date with Max, so it's sort of like you have two dates."

The actor/model brought our iced teas.

"Are you guys ready to order?" he said in his perfect actor/model voice.

"We're waiting for one more person, thanks," said Kate.

"Oh, that's right ..." he said with his imperfect actor/model memory.

"I need to get some things cleared up before Max gets here."

"You've got about forty-five seconds."

"Shit."

Max approached while finishing a phone conversation, as only he can do. "OK, gotta go ... Sounds good, gotta go ... yeah, gotta go ... uh, oh, you're breaking up, no, I can't hear ..." He held the phone away from his face, and pushed the end button.

"Ms. Buckley, what an incredibly pleasant surprise." Max sat down next to Kate and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "I thought you guys weren't talking."

"Who gave you that idea?" Kate looked over at me as she spoke to Max.

"I don't know, you just hear things." Max looked over at me as he responded to Kate, and I just sat there, with the both of them looking at me, waiting for a response.

"Waiter?" I signaled with my hand and napkin, as though I was surrendering. The waiter bumped into a busboy as I got his attention.

"So did you guys run into each other on the street, or what?"

"Actually, I had a surprise visitor at work, and it turned out to be Sam. He told me he was meeting you for lunch, and you were paying, so I invited myself ..." The crooked smile was intoxicating.

"Well, I'm glad to see you."

"How's Tracy?" Kate asked.

It's as though I didn't exist. They were just talking back and forth like they were there by themselves.

"She's doing great, thanks. As a matter of fact, you'll see her at Springer's party."

"I don't know that I'll be going ... I was supposed to go to a wedding that night ..." Again they both looked at me and waited for a response.

The waiter arrived and checked himself for his order pad. "Shoot, I'll be right back."

"Must be his first day," I said in desperation. Max took a gulp of water, and Kate stirred her iced tea. They both continued to look at me.

"What?"

"Let me lay it out for you, Mr. Piano Man. Springer needs to know if you're playing his party. Kate needs to know if she's going to the wedding with you, or the party alone, where I might add, there are a lot of good-looking, available men, and you both need to clear up the Liz thing."