"May I see the dessert menu?" Annie accepted another menu that Robert took from the rack and held it up to the light. Remembering the event that morning, she quickly fingered her way through the available chocolate-based desserts.
Her finger stopped on Sheppard's Special Chocolate Surprise. Mixed flavored-gelato on a base of chocolate cake, covered with liquid chocolate, sprinkled with nuts, served with wavers and topped with a single cherry. Her mouth watered at the picture and description. And look at the price!
She showed the Surprise to Robert. "Mother will definitely order this. We'll have to choose a cheaper wine."
Robert quickly paged through the wine menu and pointed out an alternative. "It is a lot cheaper, in case Mr Billings decides on an extravagant dessert too."
"I doubt Father would but it's better to be safe. Go with that wine." As Robert turned away, she added hurriedly, "The price! My parents mustn't see the price!"
The wine was going to cost more than the main courses and two Chocolate Surprises. Father would definitely be concerned if he saw the price.
"Ah, I see." Robert looked distantly at the dark ceiling for a second. "I can select a few bottles and present it for them to choose. A compromise between selecting for them and letting them choose."
"And leaving them to think that they're choosing their wine," Annie added.
"Of course, I shall be guiding them towards the best choice." Robert smiled.
"Please do it that way," Annie approved.
Shortly after that, Robert wheeled a cart of wine bottles up to her parents. It was great timing, since her parents had stopped talking. There was a long discussion and by the time the wine was selected and served, the main course was ready.
"It went better than expected," Robert reported after he had served the main course, "Mr Billings was concerned about the price. It took a while to reassure him that the wine had been paid for."
"Thank you, Robert." Annie smiled.
Robert looked at her closely. "Ms Billings, have you had anything to eat?"
"Well... I had a snack earlier." She had eaten a peanut butter sandwich before she dressed up. She had not the appetite then to eat much.
"May I serve you some sandwiches then?" Robert offered.
Annie glanced uncertainly at her notepad.
"Oh, don't be concerned. It'll be with the compliments of the house."
Annie gave a small smile. "Okay, then."
The sandwiches were served along with another napkin. As Annie reached for one, she saw her gloved hand. She decided to remove the glove before picking a sandwich. She was feeling a little hungry. The food, and a refill of juice, was welcome.
She was about to start on a second sandwich of roasted beef and lettuce when Annie heard the piano. Outside, on the stage, the pianist had finally arrived and was playing a gentle tune. Probably a warm up of sorts. She conferred once more with Robert to be certain that the pianist will play the song for her parents at the appropriate time, during the lull after dessert was ordered.
The timing was perfect.
Immediately after Robert had left with the order for dessert, the pianist played True Colors. Annie saw that it had the intended effect when her parents looked up in recognition of the tune. Mother leaned closer to Father for a whispered conversation.
It had been the song played at the time when Father had proposed to Mother. Father had been having trouble with work so Mother had prepared a special dinner to encourage him. She had selected Cyndi Lauper's True Colors to play during the meal. Father had known then that she was the one he wanted to be with and had proposed at that moment.
Annie had gotten that information out of Mother's recollection of the event during one of their drives home.
After he had delivered the desserts to Mother and Father, Robert reported to Annie. Mother had ordered Sheppard's Special Chocolate Surprise as predicted. "How about a scoop of gelato, again with the house's compliments?" the waiter offered.
Annie beamed a radiant smile. "Yes, please."
Sweets would always brighten up a little girl.
No comments:
Post a Comment