Done before drinks

It’s a boot she said, though it was obvious to Dan who stood up and attempted an awkward hug when she arrived at the table on the patio. Yeah, wow, are you okay? Yes. No big deal really, I will tell you all about it, she said. The waiter pulled out her chair and she sat down. It’s nice to see you he said. You too she said and smiled. It’s my toe she said. Your toe? Feels like a lot of boot for just a toe. You know how many people say that? Sorry, you must be really tired of hearing that. It’s okay, she said. He sighed, took a breadth, and wanted a scotch. That was so dumb he thought. God, we are like five minutes in and I am already apologizing. Relax, he told himself RE-LAX. I had my toe…”Hello folks, sorry to interrupt, my name is Stacy and I will be taking care of you tonight. They both nodded. Have you been here before? Yes she said and no he said at exactly the same time, wow, okay, said the waitress welcome back she said looking at her and welcome she said to Dan. Can I get you some water – sparkling or still? – while you think about drinks. Sparkling? Dan asked. She raised her eyebrows. Sparkling then he said trying to sound more authoritative more confident, more sure. L than he had a moment ago. Not exactly asking permission but something not far from it. Relax he thought Re-Lax. My toe she continued. He smiled. I had it amputated. C’mon he said and smiled. No really she said. For real? Yes, for real. Why? He asked. I don’t want to get into all the details. We haven’t eaten, we should eat first. Okay he said, thinking about all her other toes if they were curved or curled, or long like piano players fingers, if she had a long big toe or a short one, if nails were painted, and if they were shat color they may be. If he could fit them all in his mouth. Did you hear me she asked. Sorry, what, he said. Apologizing for the second time and they hadn’t even ordered drinks. Re-lax he though relax. I asked you a question she said, he nodded. So? She asked. Yes? He said. Did you hear me? Sorry no, I didn’t. Fuck, apology number three he thought. And as he still desperately tried to remember her question, not sure why he was even bothering, Stacy appeared with two glasses, placed one in front of each of them and began pouring from a bottle of sparkling water. Have you had a chance to think about drinks she asked. Scotch double meat, laphroig if you got it, anything else top shelf if you don’t. He said articulating the thought that had been careening around his brain since he sat down. Very good she said and for you? Dirty Martini she said. Hendricks. God, had he really ordered first? What is wrong with me. Maybe, just maybeshe didn’t notice he told himself. I like your shirt she said. Thank you, he said his cheeks starting to blush, a reaction he had to compliments his whole life, worsened by the words interrupting the thought about a potential toe ring. Wait he thought, you have been here before? A few times, yes. The linguini alle vongole us to die for. Clams he thought and his eyes squinted and corners of his mouth pulled down and his nose wrinkled, nostrils slightly flared in disgust Clams?! He thought again this time speaking the word out loud. What’s wrong with clams? She asked. Nothing he said wY too fast way too defensively. Not a thing. Okay, she said. Fine, he said, oh my god are we fighting he thought. We are. When the drinks arrived she took sip, looked at her watch. And excused herself to use the ladies room. He felt the warmth on his lips, the glow as it slide down his throat and warmed him to his core. He was at that moment sure about two things, single malt is a gift to mankind and she was not coming back.