I have no intention of mentioning my previous encounter with the photographer, so I simply reply, “She’s going to take a headshot of me tomorrow for the hospital.”
“Great girl,” Kevin says. “She loves her work and it shows in the pictures she takes.” I immediately feel guilty for being part of what must have been the worst day of her professional career.
“I’m looking forward to it,” I tell them. Which isn’t exactly the case, even though I am looking forward to seeing Finley again.
The waitress drops a platter of cheese curds on the table before asking, “Would you like to order your supper now?”
“We’ll wait a bit,” Kevin tells her, before looking at me. “You might like these so much you’ll want another batch for yourmain course.” I can’t imagine that will be true, but I don’t say as much.
Shelly picks up the first curd. “There are three standard sauces—honey mustard, ranch, and pepper jelly.” She dips her bite into the pepper jelly and pops it into her mouth. The expression on her face is one of pure enjoyment. Picking up her beer, she takes a sip and swallows before telling me, “That’s how it’s done. The curd first and then the beer chaser.”
Kevin and I follow suit. He dips his into the ranch, so I choose honey mustard. “Huh,” I say after finishing my first bite. “It’s kind of like mozzarella.”
“These are tangier and less salty,” Shelly assures me.
“Not as stretchy as mozzarella but, wait for it, they squeak.” Kevin bites into one, relishing the sound.
I try both the ranch and pepper jelly before declaring, “I like them.”
Kevin raises his glass and toasts, “Welcome to Wisconsin, Tommy! You’re as good as a native now.”
I’m not sure about that, but I do know I will always remember cheese curds fondly. I ask my companions, “What do you all do around here for fun?” I have yet to go anywhere other than the hospital or the grocery store, but I’m looking forward to venturing out.
“Oh, my goodness,” Shelly says. “There’s a lot.” She itemizes, “In the winter you can go sledding, ice skating, skiing, or snowmobiling. In the summer, there’s swimming at the lake and fishing. Golf, if that’s more your bag.”
“I love the fall,” Keven adds. “Wait until you see the leaves change color here. It’s perfection!”
“What about spring?” I inquire about the current season.
“It’s kind of wet out right now,” Shelly says while wrinkling her nose like spring isn’t where it’s at.
“You could go to the movies or bowling,” Kevin suggests.
Shelly sighs. “The park district offers a pottery class.”
“Darts at the pub,” Kevin interjects.
I laugh. “It sounds like you’re pretty much just waiting for summer at this point.”
My new friends nod their heads in unison. “Pretty much,” Shelly agrees.
The waitress comes back to check on us and takes our dinner order. While the curds were enjoyable, they’re sitting in my stomach like a lead weight. That’s why I opt for a salad. Kevin and Shelly both order burgers. My mother would be appalled that any of us are eating more. She’d be half-way home on her way to the Peloton in her closet to burn off the already-consumed cheese.
The evening flies by in a flurry of chatter. I like Kevin and Shelly very much. Living next door to them will be like having a second set of parents close by. When it’s time to go, Kevin asks, “Where did you park?”
“I haven’t gotten a car yet,” I tell him.
“I was wondering about that. I haven’t seen one in front of your house.” Shelly confirms the stereotype that people in small towns are aware of everything.
“I might need to take a driving refresher course before I get one,” I confess. “There’s not much occasion to get behind the wheel in New York City.”
“Kevin teaches drivers’ ed in town,” Shelly says excitedly. “He can help you.”
“I sure can,” her husband agrees. “I can do it without having you sign up, too. I wouldn’t want you to have to pay.”
I don’t want to take advantage of him so I say, “I’m happy to do it officially and take the class.” As long as I can fit it into my schedule. That’s another thing about being an ER doctor. Shifts change from week to week so it’s nearly impossible to have standing engagements, like taking classes.
“You wouldn’t have to take a Wisconsin driving test at the DMV that way,” Shelly offers. “Just show your certificate and your Wisconsin license is as good as yours.”
