"Big date today?"
Marie's father sat in the kitchen wearing his silk robe. He was reading a book and drinking coffee from a fancy mug. The room was filled with the sound of Frankie Valli and the four seasons, her father's favourite band.
"How'd you know?" Said Marie. Her father walked up to her and ripped the tag of the back of her dress and gave it to her.
"Lucky guess." He said, sarcastically. Marie smiled. Her father knew that whenever she had a 'big date' she would buy a new dress. Today she wore a navy blue dress with the thin straps covered by a white short sleeved shrug. Just above the waste it spread out into a tutu like shape and ended at her knees. She was wearing white lace ballet flats, white pearl earrings and a matching necklace. Her hair was put up into a bun with a ringlet of blonde hair hanging down on each side of her face, and in her hand she held a white and blue clutch purse.
"I'm meeting Tony at the country club..."
"Quiet!" Her father whisper-yelled, interrupting her. "You know how your mother feels about the country club. If she had her way, neither one of us would ever see the light of they're caviar ever again!"
Marie's mother was not your typical wealthy woman. Because of her business (Bernadette chique) she needed to be surrounded by a 'chique' environment. She spent most of her free time at hip coffee shops.
Marie laughed.
"I'm meeting Tony 'you-know-where' for lunch. He says he has something important to tell me." That wasn't entirely true. You see there was something important to be told, but not by Tony. She was going to break up with him. She realized she could not be un-perfect with a boyfriend as perfect as Tony. Don't get me wrong, she loved Tony with all her heart, but this was the first step to becoming un-perfect.
"Don't you have work today?" Marie asked her father, wishing to change the subject. It was Friday late morning, when most men were at work, but not her father. He always said if you work hard enough for the first 30 years of your life, you can sit back and watch your success, but Marie often tried to persuade him. He sometimes worked from home, but often read the paper and listened to music instead.
"Please Marie." He complained. "Don't hassle me now. I just woke up. You know I'm not a morning person."
Marie took a deep sigh.
"I know, but-"
"No buts, Marie. Now, help me figure out this crossword puzzle."
"I'd love to papa, but I really must get going."
She kissed her father on the cheek and paced out the door. She drove her Eco-boost powered yellow Volkswagen bug to 'you-know-where' to meet tony. When she got there, he was seated at their usual table by the corner window. Perfect, she thought. Just perfect. So romantic, full of memories. And now, all she had to do was crush those memories right where they were made. Perfect.
As she approached the 'perfect' table, he looked up from the menu in his hands and smiled at her. His eyes were like sparkling blue pearls when he looked at her. Now she was going to have to step on them. But he'll understand, she thought to herself. Won't he? Before she could answer that question she was already at the table. Tony stood up to hug her.
"I'm so glad you're here!" he said. She just smiled at him.
They sat down, and soon the waiter came to take their order.
"What will it be today?" He said smiling.
"I'll have the caviar." Said Tony. He looked like a 7 year old boy ordering ice cream. That's what Marie loved about him. He wasn't afraid to be a little immature.
"I'll have the..." Marie decided she would start eating simpler from now on to prepare herself. "...egg salad sandwich please."
"Um, are you sure ma'am?" Asked the waiter, confused.
"Yeah Marie," said Tony. "Are you sure?"
They both looked concerned. The egg salad sandwich was for people who the owners (Tony's parents) didn't want at the country club. It was French bread with egg salad in it, and that was it. It was meant to be bland. That way if you tried it, you would not want to come back. The waiters were told to suggest it to certain people and tell them it was the best thing on the menu.
Marie's eyes widened. Should I do this? she thought. She took a deep breath.
"Yes..." she said hesitantly.
"Oh, ok then. Of course." Said the waiter, still confused as he walked away.
"So." Said Tony, as though nothing had happened. "What is it you wanted to tell me?" His eyes still beamed at her.
She told him about how she wanted to be un-perfect.
"So you see," she continued. "I've written down all the things that might ruin the process and the number one thing- well, person is- well it's-" she didn't want to say it.
Tony looked confused again. He pointed to the lady at the table next to us. "No, Tony." Said Marie with a sigh. "Not Mrs. Zondervan." He pointed to the waiter. "Not Gustav either." He slowly pulled his finger towards himself as his eyes got bigger and sadder.
"Me?" he whispered.
Marie nodded slowly.
"Marie?" he said in his regular voice.
"Yes?"
"Are you b- breaking up with me?"
"No! Um, not exactly. You see-" she sighed a long sigh then looked up at him. His beady blue eyes still had a glimpse of hope.
"Yes." She said. "I love you tony, and I know you can understand. Please, come and visit me once in a while?"
"Um, well," he looked away from her. "I don't think I'd be able to." he looked stern and serious. Marie had known him since they were kids, and she had never seen him like this. Tears ran down her face.
"Well, goodbye then Tony." She said trying to smile. She walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek, and with that she turned, bit her lip and walked out of 'you-know-where', not looking back, as the waiter carried a tray holding caviar and an egg salad sandwich to the table that once held great memories, but now held a broken hearted Tony.
