Chance Encounters

“Of course. I’m just a little tired is all. You okay?”

She grinned with sincerity. “I’m fine.” She stared out the window and watched as the water crashed onto the giant boulders, sending parts of the sea hurling in all directions. She thought how the water seemed angrier up here than it did at home. In Southern California, the ocean lapped at the sand. It rolled softly onto the beach and then lulled itself back out again. It never appeared mad or angry, the way the ocean waters seemed to up here.

“Do you remember when we first met?” Clay asked and interrupted her mental comparison.

“Of course I do.” Her eyes softened at the memory.

“My little social butterfly,” Clay reached across the table for her hand.

“My little wallflower,” she responded with a laugh.

“Good evening,” a voice boomed between them. “I’m Becky and I’ll be your waitress tonight.” Her smile was big and her teeth, a perfect shade of white. Her long black hair was pulled into a slick ponytail that accented her cheekbones. She wore a white button-down shirt and black slacks. Caroline noticed that she wore a black bowtie as well and thought to herself how cute it looked.

Becky gently placed a small wicker basket in the center of the table before asking, “Can I start you off with something to drink?” She looked from Caroline then back to Clay.

Clay looked at Caroline. “Care, would you like some wine?”

Caroline took a quick breath. She hadn’t even looked at the wine menu yet. “Um, sure. Do you have any recommendations? I like the sweet stuff,” Caroline said with a chuckle.

Becky smiled and her large hazel eyes seemed to smile as well. “We have a really nice Riesling or a Gewürztraminer. They’re both really sweet.”

“Which one do you prefer?” Caroline wondered.

“Um, personally, I like the Gewürztraminer the best.”

Caroline eyed Clay who nodded his head in approval. “Okay. Let’s do that,” she chirped.

“Would you like a glass or a bottle?”

“We’ll take a bottle, thanks,” Clay answered.

“Great, I’ll be right back.” Becky turned to walk toward the large oak bar.

“Happy birthday, baby.” Clay looked longingly into her eyes and Caroline felt herself get uncomfortable as thoughts of Jackson invaded her mind with a vengeance. She struggled to fight them off.

“Thanks, babe.”

Caroline peeled back the forest green cloth napkin in the basket and revealed a small loaf of fresh bread. The warmth rose briskly to her fingertips and she pulled her hand back.

“Ah, that’s hot,” she waved her fingers back and forth.

“I’ll get it for you.” Clay gestured politely as he tore a chunk from the loaf and placed it on a small plate. “Here you go, baby.” He scooted the plate toward her.

“Thank you.” Caroline reached for the glass that held olive oil and poured a small amount onto her plate. “This is cute,” she said, referencing the hand painted olives and sunflowers that adorned the bottle.

Becky quickly returned with the wine and two glasses. She placed a glass in front of each of them and proceeded to pour a small amount of wine into each one. Clay swirled the wine around in the glass and then sniffed it before trying the sample.

Caroline grabbed her glass and took a sip. “It’s so sweet. I love it!”

Becky stifled a laugh and turned her attention toward Clay, who smiled at his girlfriend. “It’s good, thanks.”

Becky filled their glasses. “Are you ready to order or would you like a few more minutes?”

Clay eyeballed Caroline. “I’m ready if you are.”

Caroline nodded before ordering the seafood and pasta special. Clay waited until she handed the waitress her menu and then ordered some sort of fish dish that made Caroline laugh.

She looked up, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Sorry, that’s just a funny name.”