“Table for 2 for Broccoli”.
“Right this way Mr. Broccoli and madam”.
We’re at a small, elegant, and uptown restaurant I am barely able to afford –
it’s her birthday –
she smiles brilliantly and floats delicately into the fancy straight-back chair,
as the maître d' holds it out for her – then pushes it in –
he’s beaming and doesn’t seem to see me at all
The gentlemen (all of them) throughout the room and those at the bar cannot help but stare at her –
She is wearing her hair down – and it’s lovely –
it playfully drapes down the back of the chair
her posture perfectly erect –
she could be a model or a famous actress –
she looks beautifully classy – and I know she truly is
Her dress is silvery-grey – exquisite and flowing
it shimmers charmingly underneath the dim mood-lighting –
I know she’d prefer to be wearing pants – preferably baggy sweats and a t-shirt –
but, this evening, she is polished and absolutely radiating –
she’s even wearing heals – earlier she said something about “over a dead body” – and then she put them on –
and it just worked. and she walks in them with unequaled grace
The wine list is presented, and she picks one out almost randomly –
she drinks beer like I do –
she tries to pronounce what she is pointing at – and she giggles as she butchers “sauvignon blanc” –
the waiter smiles broadly (as I respectfully chuckle, quietly) –
her mispronunciation is quickly waved-away, because of her opulent manners and demeanor –
Beautiful women never need to explain themselves to men who enjoy beautiful women
_____
We’ve (she and I) been best friends since the early grades –
she climbing neighborhood trees in her hand-me-down jeans –
and me with my face within a book more often than not –
we’d play records throughout the evening – until one of us was called home –
Years later I escorted her to prom – as we always promised we’d go together –
she protesting (she thought prom was stupid) in ill-fitting military camouflage
and me in a tight-fitting and awkward suit I borrowed from a cousin –
even in combat fatigues – her beauty outshined every bit of light that looked upon her with envy
_____
She laughs – some might say a bit too loud – but I think her laugh is perfect –
the restaurant is thinning out – only a handful of us still at our tables
“May we have another bottle of the “sav-ig-non blank?”, my friend asks –
and the waiter smiles broadly, as he did before
“Of course, madam” – and I remind myself to tip well –
my friend is being catered to as if she is a queen –
because she is one
“You clean up pretty good”, I tell her from across the fancy table
“Yeah, who knew?”, she grins widely – almost mischievously
“I knew”, I say – and she shakes her head and smiles -
“you look a touch handsome yourself”, she compliments
“I suppose I do okay”, I reply - my glass of wine being refilled by the waiter
_____
We’re back at my apartment and she asks aloud,
“we’re not who we used to be, are we?”
And I answer, “we are – and we’re not”
She leaves her heals on and her hair down and flowing as we talk
– and I am surprised
“A delightful evening”, I say – and then she kisses me on the cheek –
she’s my best friend and I am hers –
She puts a record on and begins to sing along – then I join in –
- and then we’re both up and dancing around the room without abandon -
Her fancy dress and heels can’t hide the rock star she’s always been -
foul-mouthed, opinioned, and loud – and she drinks beer, like I do –
and she’s lovely, breathtakingly lovely –
and she’s my best friend – and always will be
Photo: Jimmy Broccoli.
