THE FISHERMAN'S PIER
"Is it always this mobbed?"
Matt asks,
glancing around the restaurant. Even from the entry, he can tell
what a zoo it is tonight -- people chattering loudly, the wait staff rushing
around, and the entry packed with people waiting to be seated.
"Not this bad,"
Sarah says. "I would
venture to say it's a bit more zoo-like tonight than usual." She flashes
Matt a goofy grin.
He just rolls his eyes, though he
doesn't completely hide the glimmer of amusement. Sarah looks down at
Victoria,
sitting quite alertly in her arms, and puts a finger to the smiling baby's
cheek.
"At least someone thinks I'm funny,"
she says.
"It's only 'cuz she's not old enough
to realize what a dope you are," Matt shrugs. "Just wait 'til she's fifteen,
sixteen ..."
Sarah holds up a hand. "Don't scare
me." She is about to add something else when her attention is diverted.
"Dad!"
Bill looks away from what appears
to be an intense conversation with the hostess. "Sarah, Victoria, hi!"
he calls. His face beams -- at least, as much as it can -- but his genuine
pleasure
at seeing his daughter and granddaughter can only do so much to push the
franticness away from the front of his mind.
"What's going on?" Sarah asks, stepping
forward.
"We're short a cook. One of them
quit on me this afternoon -- I'm still trying to figure out why. And apparently
half the town has chosen tonight to have dinner here."
"Well, uh, do you think you could
squeeze us in?" she asks cutely.
"I'm pretty sure I can," Bill says,
"although you may have to wait awhile to actually eat."
"Not like we've got any hot plans
for the evening," she shrugs.
"Great." He goes back to consulting
with the hostess for a moment and then turns back to Sarah. He is about
to say something when he notices Matt standing behind her.
Sarah realizes immediately why her
father's expression has stiffened.
"Dad ... you remember Matt," she
says, marvelling at the oddness of the situation and hoping that it will
go well.
"Yep," Bill says. "Of course." There
is no trace of real warmth in his voice.
"Nice to see you again," Matt offers,
though he knows the gesture isn't really going to get him anywhere.
"So how about that table?" Sarah
cuts in.
Bill tips his head towards a corner
of the restaurant. "Let's go."
They file over to the table, Sarah
following Bill and Matt following her. The whole thing feels like a tightrope
walk to her, and she finds herself suddenly wondering what possessed her
to bring Matt here.
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