Good Enough(60)

She didn’t give a shit about me missing lunch with my family. Her response was for me to stay home, and for her and Jameson to go without me. The same exact response she had when I told her my family did lunch on Thanksgiving. She didn’t care. She told me to stay home and I could see Jameson at night. A very serious pattern is forming here and it’s really pissing me off. I decided to be the bigger person in this situation, and agreed to another holiday of craziness and lots of driving. I told myself we would just change it around next year, it’s only fair. I foresee a battle in my future but I don’t care. Marcie needs to put on her big girl panties and deal with it. Fair is fair.

Just like last year I don’t know what to get Jameson for Christmas. My mom just said, “A good wife knows her husband like no one else does,” and then walked away. What does that mean? That because I don’t know what to get him, I’m not good wife material? I was furious.

Bevan, Lily, Jameson and I meet at Olive Garden that night for a double date. I enter the restaurant and immediately realize my dinner choices will not be easy.

I’ve been with Jameson for over a year now and I am still extremely self-conscious about my body and what I eat in front of him. It has been a constant battle for me. This is the Olive Garden, pasta central. It screams carbohydrates. I am completely indecisive. Jameson, Bevan and Lily and all talking about pasta and lasagna. I decide to order with chicken parmigiana. It at least has protein in it. I remind myself that I need to be comfortable in my own skin. The people at this table love me for me. I feel like I’m having a mini therapy session with my brain. The waitress, whose name tag reads CANDY, brings a large bowl of salad and breadsticks to the table.

“Would you ladies like some cheese or fresh black pepper on your salad?” She asks.

“No thank you.” Lily and I respond, simultaneously.

“Gentlemen, these buns are very hot. Handle with care. I mean breadsticks. The breadsticks are very hot.” She winks then giggles and walks away.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Lily says. I roll my eyes but laugh a little too.

“Oh come on. She’s just trying to get a big tip.” Bevan says.

“I’ll give her a tip. Wax your upper lip. Get a new lipstick shade that isn’t from the 80’s and if you thinking flirting with men at a table with their significant others is going to get you a bigger tip you are fucking clueless.” I state.

“I’m saying something to her.” Lily avows.

“Awww shit babe. I don’t want my food spat on.” Bevan pleads.

“He’s right Lil. If she continues and you want to say something can you at least wait until we are done with our meal and say it on our way out.” Jameson requests.

“Fine.” Lily utters.

And Candy did continue, the entire time we were there. Pathetic innuendos about the taste of the wine, the heat of the food, the sweetness of the desserts. I had never seen Lily’s face get so red. She looked like the tomato painted on the wall next to our table.

When it was time to pay the bill Candy attempted to hand it to Bevan but Lily snatched it right out of her hand. “Rule number one sweetie. Never assume the men are paying for the bill. Number two, never flirt with men while they are dining with their significant other. Number three, you aren’t getting shit for a tip for acting like a whore. This is the Olive Garden, not Hooters.”

Candy’s eyes were as wide as the moon. Her jaw was dropped to her chest. She was in disbelief at Lily’s words. Bevan and Jameson kept their heads down. I’m not sure if they were embarrassed or if they were trying to hide their amusement. I wasn’t trying to hide anything. My smile was huge and my laugh was loud. I waitressed when I was in high school. There are a lot of important people skills to learn and Candy needs a few more lessons.

Candy just stood there. She stared at us not moving, not saying a word. It was getting awkward.

“Why are you still standing here?” Lily barks at her. Candy shakes her head as if she is shaking her mind from a daydream and walks away.

“Holy shit, Lily! That was some serious shit you just laid on her,” I say.

“Well I’m sorry but she was completely out of line. I could see if we were dining at a strip club I would expect that behavior but this is a frickin’ family restaurant. Grow up.”

I couldn’t argue with her there. She opens up the bill and she tells us the total is $115.17 Jameson takes out his wallet. Bevan takes out his. Lily and I grab our purses, and we all start throwing twenties on the table. Jameson asks for the bill so he can see what exactly our meals and drinks costs to make sure we put out enough. Bevan counted up the money and said there was one hundred and twenty dollars.