The Lunch Date

Samantha looked down at her watch as she walked into Millie's Diner. It was 12:20. She always liked to arrive a little early, especially when she was nervous. She asked the hostess for a table for two in a quiet corner of the patio. As she walked behind the hostess, she looked around the 50s style diner. Kitschy artwork hung on the wall next to large Coke signs glowing neon red. In the corner, a jukebox was playing Elvis's "Don't be Cruel." Didn't really seem to be a place that James would pick. As she remembered him, this place would be...well....a little too cheerful for him. Of course, he did have children now. "This would be a good family restaurant," she thought to herself. The hostess swung open the French doors that led out to the patio. "Now this is more like it," she inadvertently said out loud. The hostess gave her a smile and sat her down at the far side table underneath a large maple tree. The patio was dotted with bistro style tables and chairs, and pots filled with petunias and large grasses. In the center was a beautiful arbor with roses climbing up the sides. "This is beautiful. I'll have to remember this place," she thought.

She looked down again at her watch. It read 12:27. Her anxiety shot up. She didn't know why she was so nervous to see him. "It's just two old friends getting together for lunch, nothing more." She said that to herself knowing it was a lie. She was hoping that it could be two friends getting together for lunch, but she had no idea what they were anymore. Friends, former friends, former lovers? There didn't seem to be a classification for them that seemed to fit. All she knew was that she missed him, no matter what their past was.

Her right knee started bouncing up and down. "Stop it. Take a deep breath." Just then the waiter showed up. "Are you eating alone?" he stated. "No, I am waiting for someone." "Okay, well I leave some menus for you to look over, and I will check on you in a few minutes." He tossed two menu at the table and was off to the next set of people waiting. She breezed through the menu. Standard fare; sandwiches, burgers, salads, etc... . She sat back in her seat looking around at the trees and buildings that surrounded her. "God, I hope I'm not making a mistake," she said under her breath, almost as a prayer. Just then she heard footsteps heading towards her, she turned her head and looked up. "James!" she said with an enthusiasm that surprised even her. He stood there, smiling, staring down at her, "It's so good to see you Sam."