Chocolate Reality (11 page)

“Which apron did you give him Heather?” I asked. “Your professional white one, or your girly pink one that I bought you for Christmas last year?” I asked her.

“Well, I stuffed it all into a plastic bag, so he won’t find out until he gets there – but of course the pink one.” Heather giggles.

I started to laugh. That was exactly something she would do. I can just see Matt’s face now when he pulls out his chef’s uniform in front of all those guys.

“Too bad you didn’t have someone to take a picture,” I said to her as I gathered up my coat and purse.

“Oh, but I do. I called Pastor Miles who is leading the group tonight. I told him what I did, and he can’t wait to see Matt all dressed up. He’s agreed to take a few pictures for me,” she said as she grabbed my arm and led me to the front door.

“Now that’s a sight I definitely wouldn’t want to miss. So, where are we going?” I asked her as I locked up the door and started out towards her car.

“I thought we could go out for dinner tonight, just you and I. It’s been awhile since we’ve gone out and had some girly fun. I’m in the mood for some nice Italian food, how does that sound?” she asked me while doing a little dance in the snow by her car door.

“Well, you definitely seem to be in quite the mood tonight.” I said to her. “What’s up? I didn’t think we were doing the girly night thing until next week?” I asked with a hint of hesitation to my voice.

Heather is normally a spontaneous type of girl, but she’s acting a bit, hmm, I don’t know, strange tonight. Something is definitely up.

“What do you mean, what’s up? Why does something have to be up when all I want to do is go and have some fun girly time tonight? I don’t want to wait until next week.” She stopped her twirling and stood there with her hands on her hips, almost like she was ready to do battle.

I place my hands up in the air. “All right, All right. I give up.” I say as I start to laugh. It feels good to laugh. I think I need this tonight.

“Good. Now get in the car and let’s go. I’m hungry.” Heather said to me with a sigh as she stepped into her car and started it up.

*****

We ended up at Mama Rose’s, the best little spot in town for Italian food. I absolutely love their Fettuccini Alfredo. I usually try and do take out here at least every week as a special treat to myself. Once in a while I’ll come in and dine, but not too often. This place has a real romantic flavor to it, and it’s too much to handle at times.

The moment we walk in, we are instantly greeted by Mama Rose herself.

“Wynnie, Wynnie. So good to see you.” she greets me while enfolding me in a warm hug and kisses on each cheek. “It’s been too long since you came in here. I haven’t seen you in over a week now. I made a cheesecake just for you, and you never come. Wynnie, Wynnie, what am I gonna do with you?” she says as she pats each cheek gently.

“Heather. Now this is a treat. So good to see you. I remember when you girls used to come in here all the time. Then you get married, and you don’t come in as much. And where is that handsome man of yours?” she asked as she glances behind us.

“It’s just us Mama Rose. We’re having a girl’s night tonight” I say to her as she takes us to a secluded table.

“A girl’s night. Just the thing you need I think. Now you come this way. Best spot in the room, nice corner where you girls can have a quiet evening. And I will have a mochachino with chocolate whip cream and shavings to you in a jiffy. Come, come.” Mama Rose clapped her hands while leading us to our table.

“Mochachino and cheesecake. Mama Rose, you spoil me.” I declared to her as I placed my arm around her thick waist and gave it a squeeze.

“Ah, Wynnie, you need to be spoilt every now and then.” she replied as a blush swept across her face.

“Now, sit, chat and enjoy.” and with that she left us and disappeared behind the counter to make our sweet drinks.

As we sit, I take a glance around the restaurant. I absolutely love how Mama Rose has created the ambiance for the room. White Christmas lights are wrapped around the walls and create a soft glow throughout the room. Ivy is intertwined amongst the lights, and there are long wooden shelves along each wall holding antique items that range in size and detail. On one wall you can find white water pitchers set among antique looking mirrors that are surrounded by either potted plants or flowers. There are wall sconces everywhere with dimmed lights to help create the soft atmosphere that is part of this place. Soft classical music is being played somewhere. You almost expect to see musicians suddenly appear walking among the tables, serenading each couple as they hold hands, gazing into each other’s eyes. On each table is a cream-colored tablecloth, complete with a dazzling place setting and a candleholder. Each corner holds a tall plant, and there are mirrors situated in the perfect spots around the room to help catch the soft glow from the candles, and lights. The perfect setting for romance.

After a server brings our mochachino’s, Heather and I settle in for a girl fest.

I’m feeling a bit leery of where our discussions might lead us. You never know with Heather what journey her thoughts will take you. I figured it might be safer if I was to start the journey before she actually does.

“Okay Heather, fess up. What do you have up your sleeve?” I asked her. With all her dancing, laughing and sly looks, I knew something was up.

“Well, why don’t we just enjoy our chocolate drink, eat some good food, and then go from there?” Heather suggested while she toyed with the glass in her hand.

“I’m game.” I told her. “As long as you promise to fess up later on. I’m not going to let you get out of whatever it is you have to say that easily.”

Heather just laughed at me as our server came to the table with complimentary garlic bread from Mama Rose. She even topped half of it with melted cheese, yum, just the way I like it.

We both decided to order our usual. I had the fettuccini while Heather ordered the special three-cheese lasagna. If we work this right, we will sit here long enough to enjoy our food, chat up a storm with each other, and still leave room for dessert at the end. When Mama Rose makes one of her special cheesecakes, you are just not allowed to pass that up. I am really hoping that she made her special Turtles Cheesecake, or even a Chocolate Chip Cheesecake.

After chatting about normal girl things, from the likes of the new shoes Heather bought this week, to my need for new throw cushions on my couch (thanks to my new pets), Heather decided to drop a bomb on me.

“So Wynne. I got a hold of Rich and found out he is still single.” Boom.

*****

I could hear the whistle of the bomb from the moment Heather began with ‘so Wynne.’ When I heard the word ‘Rich’, I knew it was directly above me, and when she said ‘single’, that was when the bomb exploded. I felt paralyzed for a split second. Complete and utter shock and disbelief. Shock that this came out of nowhere. Disbelief that she would actually go behind my back and get in touch with Rich. I feel myself becoming immersed within those feelings until from the depths of my being I manage to resurface and actually hear what she just said.

“You did what?” came exploding out of my mouth. The disbelief and the beginnings of what I can only describe as outrage could be heard within those three words.

Heather just sat there calmly, nibbling on a breadstick while I felt like I was inside an out of control locomotive.

“I found Rich for you.” She said as she let another bomb drop and explode around me.

I couldn’t believe I actually heard her say that.

“Why?” I asked her in stunned disbelief. “Why would you do that?”

“One day you are going to wake up from your dreams and realize it is all too late. I don’t want that to happen to you. I love you. I’m your best friend. Why wouldn’t I do this?”

I wanted to reach out and throw away the breadstick she nibbled on and them stomp on it.

“Um, maybe because I never asked you to. Or how about because you knew that I wouldn’t want you to. Really Heather, I’m not all that happy about this. I can’t believe you would go behind my back and do this.” I answered her in even more disbelief, if that was even possible.

“Okay. So, get over the shock, and realize what I originally said to you. Rich is still single. 100% free to take if you so desire. No, I didn’t tell him that you are looking, or even dreaming. I just casually said hi to him and asked him what was new.” Heather took another sip of her fresh hot mochachino.

“Oh, and by the way, he said to say hi.” She added.

Another bombshell just hit me.

He said to say hi. He actually thought of me enough to say hi to me. A smile start to take place, if not on my face, cause there was no way I was going to let Heather off the hook that easily, but definitely in my heart.

“Oh, you just casually said hi to him. How casual Heather? Did you meet him on the street, bump into him and then realize who he was? Where did you see him Heather. And why haven’t you told me about this sooner?” I asked her. Something smells just a bit fishy here.

“Well, casual enough.” Heather admits, albeit a little bit hesitantly. I knew it. I knew something wasn’t right.

“No, don’t look at me that way. I received a letter in the mail from the University asking for donations. I noticed his name as a teacher there along with his email address. I just thought I would drop him a line and say hi. After all we are old friends. I figured that if I could find out if he was still single or not, then I would know whether or not to encourage you to find him. You know he’s the man in your dreams. You can’t deny that. You still love him, or at least hold onto the love you felt for him. What could it hurt to get in touch with him and see where it will lead? There’s no ‘significant’ other in the picture, so what have you got to lose? And don’t say your heart. I’ve heard that line one too many times lately. It won’t work with me.” Heather lectured.

“I’m not giving you a line Heather. What if I’m not actually in love with the man, but rather with the idea of the man? In my dreams he might be Mr. Perfect, but in real life, he’s probably far from it. My heart will get hurt Heather. Hurt, because if it doesn’t work out, then I have been living in fantasy land, being in love with the idea of a man.” I confessed to her. I leaned forward onto the table and placed my head in my hands. It was hard to admit that to her.

Heather covered my hands with hers.

“Well of course you are in love with the idea. But don’t you think it’s time that you get a hold of the man and get to know him? I doubt very much that it would take long for you to quickly fall in love with the actual man instead of the idea.”

I raise my head and glance at Heather. She is giving me a sympathetic smile. She does understand what I am going through.

“I know you are right. But I am actually enjoying the idea. It’s a lot safer.” I admitted to her.

Heather began to laugh. Mama Rose was walking through the dining room and quickly came over to our table. Mama Rose glances from Heather to myself, shrugging her shoulders and sits down. There’s nothing Mama Rose likes better than to be with a crowd that laughs.

“Oh Mama Rose. Wynne is trying to make me believe that she is a chicken. Can you believe that?” Heather continues to chuckle while shaking her head.

I give her a glare, trying to silently portray that she needs to be silent. It’s one thing to admit my weakness to my best friend. It’s another to admit it to anyone else.

“Wynnie? The same girl who created a business out of nothing but sheer passion? Who was strong enough to hold her head high after being left at the alter? The same girl who isn’t afraid to dine alone or to build her own dream home out of a run down house? Not our Wynnie.” Mama Rose mockingly exclaimed while holding both hands to her chest.

Mama Rose can be too cute at times. Especially when she tries to be serious when you know inside she is really laughing.

“Yes, that Wynnie,” I said as I glanced at Mama Rose. “It’s a whole lot easier to be strong in areas that don’t affect the deep secrets in your heart.” I told them.

“Well of course it is my girl. But who do you think gives you that strength for those areas? The same one who will expose those deep secrets so you can be a stronger person. There is no secret that is too deep for the light of God to penetrate and expose. He will only expose those secrets for your benefit, not for your harm or for your humiliation. Too many people see their weaknesses as a hindrance in their lives. Instead we need to see those very weaknesses as secret strengths. Imagine the things God can do through us when we surrender to him those areas that are the most protected?” Mama Rose said softly to me while gently patting my hand.

I close my eyes. Lifting my head high, I try to force the tears that are threatening to escape to stay behind my eyelids. I’ll just let them think I’m praying while I try to compose myself.

Sniffling, I give Mama Rose a hug.

“You are so right Mama Rose. Whatever would I do without you?” I ask her.

“Well, it would definitely make it easier to keep some of this weight off” Heather laughingly confessed while trying to hide her stomach to make a point. All three of us begin to giggle.

“Now, I think it’s time for my cheesecake, don’t you think Wynnie? Made special just for you.” Mama Rose says to me while she takes a chunk of my cheek in her fingers and squeeze.

“I could never pass up your cheesecake. I think I’ll even take a piece home to enjoy later on.” I answer her with a grin on my face. I just knew she would have some cheesecake for me. What a perfect way to end a very emotionally draining day.