Dinner Reservations



“Is this some kind of joke?”

Ray stood poised with his hand on the cold metal of the door handle. “What do you mean?”

Lisa waved her hands up and down her body. “Do I look like I’m dressed for White Castle?”

Ray’s eyes wandered down Lisa’s black cocktail dress. His eyes skimmed down the sheer black stockings covering her legs, and rested on her black suede stilettos.  He shrugged. “You look fine.”

Lisa’s mouth fell open. “I look fine?” She swung her head around to see whether anyone else had heard this. A couple of guys were headed back to their pick-up truck, but didn’t acknowledge the couple by the door.

“Are you seriously taking me to White Castle for Valentine’s Day?”

Sure that this was his cue, Ray tugged the door open. “Yeah. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

Lisa stood rooted to the spot. She planted her arms across her chest, her small black pocketbook banging abruptly across her stomach. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep her chin from trembling. She’d bragged to all her friends that Ray was taking her somewhere special for Valentine’s Day. It was the one time they’d been envious of her. None of her friends had dates and planned to go out for margaritas and a movie – an “Un-Valentine’s Day” of sorts. And now it seemed that their evening plans were better than her own.

“What’s wrong?” Ray asked. “You like White Castle.”

“But not on Valentine’s Day!” Lisa blurted out as a sob escaped her.

Ray shook his head and let the heavy glass door shut. “You’re never happy, are you, Lisa? You know I don’t have a lot of money. My truck needs work and I spent a lot of money on that little dolphin thingy I got you. Maybe you should find some rich guy who can take you to Longhorn.”

Lisa wiped the tears from beneath her eyes. She just knew the mascara smears were ruining her make-up job.

“Just take me home,” she cried.

“Happy to.” Ray stomped off toward his truck. Lisa trailed after him on her 4-inch heels. “Last time I’ll try to do something nice,” he muttered as the truck door slammed on his relationship.