Char takes it all in stride, her eyes wide and curious, glancing around at the exquisite table settings and intricate dishes being delivered from the kitchen. She seems relaxed and not at all uncomfortable, so I at least know I’ve donesomethingright. She’s always had a good sense for people and places and a well-honed ability to adjust to new surroundings. She may have beenquiet back in the day but having worked many a shift at the diner with her mom, she’s always been personable and adaptable to any situation.
Then there's me; a rancher and a simple man who is happy to spend his days working the land and tending to the animals he's raising. Someone happy to stay behind the scenes to make sure everyone he loves and cares about is happy and has everything they need. That's exactly why I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb in a place like this. But I meant what I said, I wanted to make this date memorable for Charlie. The first one of many if I have anything to say about it. Discomfort be damned.
Once we’ve taken our seats, the maître d' hands us the menu. That's when I know I'm in trouble. There are so many options, and I don't recognize any of them, which means I have absolutely no idea what to order, let alone what wine to pick. I don't evenlikewine usually, so now more than ever, I feel like a complete fool.
Char must notice my discomfort. "This menu might as well be in another language. In fact, I'm not sure that it'snot. Should we just close our eyes and pick a few things at random? You never know, we might find somethin’ we like." She shoots me a warm smile across the table and I can tell she's trying to put me at ease.
I manage a half-hearted grin in response, trying to hide my embarrassment. "Sure hope so, doc. I figured there’d be steak and vegetables on the menu I could order.” I glance down at the menu and wince. “But I’m not even sure any of these mealshavemeat in them.”
A giggle escapes her and the corners of her eyes crinkle. She reaches across the table and takes my hand in hers. "It's alright, Austin," her voice is soft and reassuring, "how about I pick a fewthat I think you might like? Think of it as our own little culinary adventure."
When the server appears and Char gives him our order, I look around the room and get a good look at the sheer opulence of the place. It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
The chandeliers hanging overhead are a collection of gathered glass shards that help cast a warm glow across the polished wooden tables and plush velvet chairs. The atmosphere in the room is one of elegance and refinement. It feels like I’ve traded in my work boots for a night at the opera. And for the record, I’ve never been to the opera and don’t plan on doing so.
As I sit there and listen to Charlie charm the server, I can't help but think about how different our lives have been. Char and I have spent so many years apart yet somehow, the mountain spirit felt it was time to bring us back together. And now, here we are, sitting in a five-star restaurant, about to share food I have no idea about, after spending one of the best days of my life together.
It wasn't what we were doing or the fact we're on a mini-getaway, it's that I'm doing it with Char. As long as I have Charlie by my side, I'll be a happy man. Except when I feel like I've screwed it all up.
Stealing a glance at Char I see her eyes filled with wonder as she takes in the lavish restaurant. There’s a mixture of excitement and nervousness in her expression that makes me want to reach over and reassure her. I give her hand a gentle squeeze, letting her know that I’m feeling it too.
“This has definitely been a day full of surprises,” she says, turning her attention back to me.
I chuckle nervously, rubbing the back of my neck. My skin feels too tight and definitely not right, and despite the company, suddenly I want to be anywhere else but here.
My heart jumping into my throat. “Did you not have a good time?” I ask.
Her eyes jump wide. "Of course I did. I can't wait until all of the stuff I bought today is delivered. I just meant that sittin’ here, in this lovely restaurant that's as far away from the food at Ma's diner asAustraliais to Alaska. It's nice, but it's just…"
My back goes ramrod straight. “Do you no like it? Because we can leave, Char,” I say, looking around the room for our server. “I’m sure we can cancel our order,”
"Austin, no. I like bein’ here with you. It's… nothin’. Let's just enjoy our night," she says, shaking her head. Her brows pinch together as she studies me. There’s something working behind her eyes, but I can't get a read on it–or her.
That’s when the server arrives with our first course, sliding a rabbit-sized meal on a giant plate in front of each of us. I have to admit, it looks good. Even my unrefined eye can tell the dishes are presented in such a way that they’re more art than food. It looks so fancy I’m not sure where to start. Instead, I just sit there staring at my plate.
Char seems to sense my unease and offers me a reassuring smile. "Trust me, Austin. I'm sure it's delicious. Let's just try it first and see. We can always go somethin’ else if we don't like it. I saw a burger joint around the corner from the BnB.”
I shake my head. "No. It's fine. It's good." I reluctantly take a deep breath and dive into the meal in front of me, picking up the biggest fork out of the three on the table and stabbing at thesmall round pile ofsomethingin front of me. The flesh of what I assume is a type of seafood separates easily and a rich, aromatic smell wafts towards me. With a quick glance over at Char who's watching me curiously, I cautiously take a bite, my taste buds dancing with new flavors that I've never experienced before. First savory, with a hint of sweetness, before a wave of bitterness hits my tongue, and I quickly swallow it down just to get rid of it, grabbing for my water again and emptying the glass in one giant gulp.
“Whatisthat?” I say without thinking.
Char giggles, taking a bite of her own, her expression mirroring my experience as she quickly chases her mouthful down just as I did.
"I don’t know but Ireallydon’t think this is our kind of food, Austin” she says cautiously. “I appreciate the thoughtfulness and–”
“Oh, thankgod,” I say, lifting the napkin from my lap and dumping it on the table. Standing up, I hold my hand out for hers. “A burger soundsrealgood right about now.”
“Yes!” she says with a laugh, taking my hand and moving to my side.
Five minutes later, I pay for the meal we did not and would not be eating, and lead Charlie back out on the street, turning in the direction of the BnB and hopefully that burger place she mentioned.
“Austin?”
“Yeah?” She comes to a stop on the corner of the street and tugs at my arm to get my attention. That’s when I see the concern written all over her face.
“Are you OK?”
“Yeah,” she sighs. “I was just wonderin’ ifyouwere.”
