“So-o? Tell us, how was it? You look so totally happy... is he as screwable as I thought he’d be? Are you guys, like, an item now?”
“For Christ’s sake Cory, let her answer one question before you fire another one at her.” Charlotte turned her attention to me, and asked, “So... don’t hold out on us. What did you do all weekend? Is he a keepable?”
I looked to Cory and then Charlotte, letting the corners of my mouth turn up slowly. They were under my spell now, each of them drawn forward in their seat by their anticipation of my answer.
Once I had made them suffer enough, I said, “He’s comfortable.”
Cory’s lower jaw dropped. “Comfortable? That doesn’t tell us a whole hell of a lot about his bedside manner, Meg. Come on, get to the good stuff.”
I threw my hands in the air, and replied, “He’s comfortable! We didn’t really do anything... at least not anything you’d be interested in, but I had a great time”
Cory slapped the table and turned to Charlotte in disbelief. “That’s it Char, she’s gone gay on us.”
Her remark was so ridiculous I couldn’t help but laugh. “What are you talking about?”
“Two whole days alone with a modern day Adonis and nothing happened? You’re either gay or stupid and you’re too smart to be stupid.”
“I just met the guy, how easy do you think I am?” Unable to conceal my smile, I admitted, “Alright, if I had my way, something might have happened but he has this policy... a code of ethics thing...”
“You’re kidding, right?” Charlotte asked.
I shook my head.
Cory asked, “Don’t tell me you have to be, like... married first.”
Charlotte added, “Maybe he’s the one who’s gay.”
“Would you two stop with that gay stuff? He just believes that if you learn to be friends first, the relationship has a better chance of making it for the long haul. I know it sounds a little old-fashioned, but I thought it was kind of sweet, too.”
They looked to each other in doubt, before Cory said, “I suppose it is sweet... if you’re not the one taking cold showers! I’m sorry, Meg, but if I were you, I’d attack his fine ass the very next time we were alone.”
I laughed. “That’s what makes you, you.”
Charlotte straightened her back and cleared her throat. “Well, since Meg’s news was something of a disappointment, I have news of my own.” Making sure our attention was on her, she continued, “Kevin and I are getting married in just over a month. On July seventeenth, I will finally become Mrs. Kevin Pastornelli.”
My tooth-bearing smile let her know just how happy for her I was, as Cory’s words poured out of her.
“Where are you guys getting married? You have to let me help with the arrangements... oh; I have a great idea, how about you let me take care of everything. I love parties. Meg’s party was totally rad, can you imagine what I could do with a wedding?”
“Cory, slow down. Actually, Kevin and I decided to have the JP marry us at the courthouse. We thought we’d have a small get-together afterward.”
I said, “I don’t know, it’s your decision but I’d have to agree with Cory on this one. You two did take the high road getting here; I think you should do it up big.”
Dabbing at her lips one more time, she set her napkin on the table and said, “Well, you guys will have to take this up with Kevin. He was less for the idea of making a fuss over it than I was. I have to run. I have a meeting with Bobby’s teacher this morning.”
“Parent conferences during school hours?”
“Not exactly. His principle called first thing this morning. It seems my son is quite the little entrepreneur. He has been selling his lunch off every day and it seems they have a policy against that, especially when he’s bilking the other kids for two dollars a cookie.”
Cory joked, “There’s a place in my father’s company for someone with his skills.”
As she pushed her chair in, she replied, “Yeah, well Kevin’s attitude was, ‘Hey, he isn’t forcing anyone to buy his cookies... give the kid credit for being enterprising,’ so I’m the one going to the school to straighten this out.”
Cory said, “Well, good luck and you tell Kevin that I want to talk to him about this wedding thing.”
She replied, “I will,” as she waved goodbye.
Cory and I finished our meals and as we stood to go our separate ways, she said, “Comfortable...” She shook her head. “I think that’s why I like you so much, Meg. You’re unlike anyone else I know.”