I need some feedback from my readers. Should the Old Fashioned story end where it does? Or, would you, as a reader want to find out more about the two main characters? Heres thLunches Lunches Lunches By Raymond O’Connor Farrish They’re on the same committee. She’s the Chair. They never met beforehand, but He admires her poise in conducting the meeting. How she deals with egotistical personalities. He’d like to get to know her. One meeting lasts longer than anticipated. She suggests they adjourn for lunch, reconvene afterwards. Says she’ll be going to the Faculty Center, Will anyone join her? He and two other men agree. Lunch is spent talking about committee business. They’d asked for separate checks, But the waiter comes with one check. All say, “Let me handle it.” He wins. … Two days later, at lunch time, He approaches Faculty Center, alone. She also approaches alone. “Hi,” he says. “Joining someone?” “No. All by myself.” “May I join you?” “Yes, that would be nice.” They share a table for two. They order and start talking … About themselves. Their likes, their dislikes. Their work, their hobbies, their interests. Their political leanings … they share the same. They talk for two hours. They start to know each other. The waiter comes with their check. He hands the waiter his credit card. “You mustn’t do that,” she says. “He should bring us separate checks.” He says she’ll be doing him an honor by letting him pay. She bows her head and says, “Thank you.” They leave for their separate offices. … Their next committee meeting concludes before lunch time. They gather their papers, start out the door. “Look,” she says, “You’ve bought me lunch twice. “Let me take a turn and buy you one.” “I can’t do that,” he says. “My father taught me … “The gentleman always picks up the check. “He never lets a lady do it.” “But that was back in the old days,” she says. “Before feminine rights.” :“Sorry, I can’t go against my father’s advice.” … Next day, she calls him. Asks if she can pick him up. That she has something to show him. Puzzled, he says fine. He waits outside his office. Several colleagues go by. “Join us for lunch?” they ask. He says he has an appointment. She drives up, he gets into her car. He sees colleagues have observed them. Sure they’re thinking nefarious thoughts. Shrugs. She drives to a little park next to a dam. Gets out, opens trunk, Removes blanket, thermos bottle, and plastic glasses. Says, “Sit, and pour us something to drink.” He can’t help but chuckle. He’s so surprised. And delighted. She brings out a picnic basket. Napkins, plastic forks, cold lobster salad. Sandwiches, ice cream. She smiles and says, “I thought your father would say it’s okay “For a woman to set out a picnic.” He laughs, leans over, kisses her… lightly. “You are so right on,” he says. They eat and talk. Then pack up and return to campus. Both gratified and satisfied. As he leaves her car, he says, “I’ll call you.” She nods and says, “Do that.“ And drives away. He doesn’t call for three days. He’s worried about what to say. Has he gone too far already? Given her to think he might be interested romantically? It would be awful if she thought so. On the third day he calls. “I’d like to have lunch together,” he says, “But there’s something I need to say beforehand.” “What’s that?” she asks. “I like you very much,” he says, “And I enjoy your company, both personally and professionally. “ I enjoy talking with you and I value your opinions. “But, we can’t go any further than an occasional lunch, “Perhaps a cocktail at the end of a work day. “That’s as far as we can go. “I can’t be involved romantically. “I’m married. I have children.” She laughs and says she’s relieved to hear him say that. She’d been worrying about what he might have thought. Had she gone too far by providing a picnic? Would he think it was more than simple courtesy, repaying his courtesy? What would she say if he had read more than that into her gesture? “I’m married, too,” she says … “Happily,” she adds with a smile. They both breath a sigh of relief. “So, are we okay for having lunch today?” he asks. “Sure, but today we get separate checks,” she says, firmly.. “I don’t care what your father would think.” He sighs and replies, “Well he may roll over in his grave “But I guess he’ll have to get used to it.” They both laugh and say, “See you at lunch.” The End
Posted on: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 16:15:22 +0000
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