eating inside the Athenian

on a warm sunny day you must be in a hurry to do such a thing. the wait list had two groups ahead of us, so that's what we did. the women at the table next to us, mature, however, were eating inside, so the larger, white linened hippier looking of the three said, "we're going to go back to my place, sit on the porch, open a bottle of Pinot Grigio and enjoy this beautiful weather." there was an awkward silence. the woman with her back to me must have said something to the effect of "I can't drink," or "I can't drink tonight," to garner the response I heard from the hippie, "Well, I'm drinking a glass." the third, matriarch, who may not have heard any of this as she seemed to be spacing out looking at the non-drinker's hair, "I was just admiring your hair. It's beautiful." and the chatter continued, but I focused my attention on the beauty I had in my immediate company.

this was the site of our first date. we ordered the same and talked about what we could remember about the night for some time until we were both transfixed by the women's continued conversation. the third matriach had just returned to the table after a bathroom break. the ladies had ordered and when asked if they wanted Feta cheese on their salads, two had said no, while the third, the hippie, said yes, even though she didn't want any. She gave it to the other while the third was in the bathroom. Now, returned, with news, "Feta cheese is $2.50 extra," she is informed that her friend had already garnered the Feta from the hippie and didn't have to pay. feelings must have been hurt, but she did not let on.

feelings are alway hurt in relationships. time and love can be our only cure. there is no prescription for hurt feelings, but time and love. these women must have both for each other.

then the men, the older men, walked in and sat down, at the table next to the women. we had a perfect view of all. the men ordered their salads and when asked if they wanted Feta cheese on their salads there was a moment that seemed to last forever where the women had a chance to let them know that it was going to be $2.50 extra!

but they remained silent. maybe they have husbands at home. maybe they weren't attracted to these two older men, seemingly their same age. we wanted them to say something. they were so quiet. it must have been on the tips of their tongues. maybe you've got to be young to take a chance. I'm sure glad I did.

eating outside of the Athenian on a warm summer's day almost a year ago now there was no hurry. there was time. the price of Feta may have been different, but we weren't aware. all we knew was what was in the air.