Scene 55

Scene Fifty-five...Table for Three
Time: Suppertime, Tuesday, July 9, 1946
Place: Sal's Seafood
Storyteller: William


Doc's staring at a sophisticated lady who opened the restaurant door. It's Madame "C".

"Thanks for joining me for supper, Doc. I get lonely when Betty works evenings."

"Anytime. Life is very quiet for this widower." Again, Doc glances toward the entry.

The cosmopolitan woman is waiting to be seated. Her silver hair is in a French twist...Royal blue dress. Sal escorts her to the table next to ours. She notices us and says hello.

We both stand. "How nice to see you Madame 'C'...sorry, that's what Janet calls you," I say.

"Madame Caillebotte," the southern gentleman pronounces her name perfectly, as if he's been practicing.

"Are you meeting someone?" I ask.

"No, dining alone."

"Please join us." Doc moves aside to offer the lady a window.

"I've been wanting to speak with you both about Janet." She gracefully slides into her seat.

Sal brings a bottle of Madame's favorite Burgundy. He gives Doc the credit and pours them both a goblet. I stick with club soda.

"Doctors, you saved Janet's life. She has such a positive attitude. I want to encourage her to dance, but would this be building up false dreams?"

Hopefully Doc will step up to the plate and impress this delightful lady with his intelligence and charm. I stay quiet.

"Madame," he begins.

She interrupts, "Call me Lorraine."

"I don't even remember my Christian name. Call me Doc like everybody else. Lorraine, did Janet tell you about her orthopedic surgeon?"

"Yes, the doctor who flew down from New York."

"I had the privilege of watching Dr. Templeton perform Janet's second and third operations. His dexterity was remarkable. Thanks to him, I have every reason to believe Janet will dance again."

"What a relief," she sighs.

"Would you like me to call when she's ready to resume lessons?"

"Oui, yes." She writes her phone number on a cocktail napkin and passes it to Doc.

After the entree, they order coffee and creme brulee. I stand and ask for the bill, but Doc snatches it.

I make up a pathetic excuse to leave.
Wait til Betty hears about my evening!
I can feel her happiness.
Hear her giggle. 


Popular posts from this blog

Scene 95...Epilogue

Scene 21

Scene 3