Fleur De Lies(40)
“Sounds good. That’s what I’ll have. I could do with a good ole American breakfast.”
“Make that two,” said Krystal as she perused the sumptuously fluffy creation before me.
“D’accord.” Patrice scribbled the orders on his pad before whisking himself off to the kitchen again.
“I can’t handle the buffet this morning,” Krystal complained. “Too many men waiting to ogle me.”
“Could be the mascara,” I said as I poured a ramekin of what looked like ketchup over my omelet. “Maybe you should try something less transformational.”
“So, where’s the bus taking us this morning?” asked Woody as I savored the flavorful herbs of the most appetizing omelet that had ever occupied my mouth.
“Someplace that begins with an E,” said Krystal. “Which reminds me.” She dug a whole bottle of jumbo softgels out of her totebag and plunked it on the table. “You wanna try one of my supplements, hon?” She unscrewed the cap and offered one to Woody. “I guarantee it’ll work better than those little weenie pills you got with you.”
“Hell. Why not?” He plopped it into his mouth and downed it with a gulp of coffee.
“I don’t imagine you’ll be needin’ one, Emily. Yankee women aren’t known for their delicate constitutions.” She downed one herself before tossing her hair back over her shoulder and fanning her face. “This mornin’ sun is an absolute killer. I’m about to burn up.”
I waved my fork in several directions. “Lots of empty tables in the shade,” I said hopefully.
“Change places with me,” urged Woody as he got to his feet. “Shoot, I haven’t been hot since the North African campaign in ’42.”
Krystal grabbed her tote and slid over onto his chair. “So … what was happenin’ in ’42 that sent you to Africa, hon?”
She’d obviously bypassed the war museum in Arromanches.
“Were you huntin’ big game? Euw! Did you get to shoot one of those elephant guns? I would kill to pull the trigger on one of those puppies.”
The dining room started filling up as Woody launched into a detailed history of Axis invasions, Allied strategies, and the best World War II movies available on Netflix. As I devoured my omelet, an army of waiters flew past our table, some wielding beverage carafes and order pads, others carrying chafing dishes of hot food to the central serving station. The noise level increased. The wait staff quickened their steps. By the time a young waiter arrived at our table, Krystal’s attention span was so maxed out with world history, I figured she might even be desperate enough to discuss advanced funeral planning. Specifically, Woody’s.
“Two breakfast specials.” The waiter slid the plates onto the table and paused a bit breathlessly to ogle Krystal. “Bon appétit.”
“Did y’all see the way he looked at me?” she whispered when he’d departed. “I get those looks all the time. It’s so annoying.”
I dabbed my mouth with my napkin and pushed away from the table.
“Of course you get those looks,” Woody allowed. “I mean, a fella would have to be blind not to stare. Isn’t that right, Emily?”
“Absolutely.” I stood up. “I’m off. See you guys on the bus. And a word of warning to the faint of tongue: go easy on the horseradish sauce. It’s got a kick.”
“The hotter the better!” boomed Woody as I grabbed my shoulder bag. “So tell me, little lady,” he asked Krystal, “where was I in my narrative? Had I reached V-E Day yet?”