Much to Talk…

Bianca got her boyfriend, Geoff’s text at work. ‘Meet at Manson’s, 6pm. Much to talk.’

Manson’s, the most expensive restaurant in town, was pronounced ‘Mansion’s.’ So people wouldn’t think Charlie owned it? Or an added gloss of pretension? No matter. It was a favorite of Bianca’s.

Either formal or glib, Geoff could be such a mystery. ‘Much to talk?’ Had some jock set a homerun record? Or had Existentialism found proof of Nihilism’s emptiness?

Guys can be so casual. They’d gladly know you biblically before bothering with your pedigree or even your last name. But Geoff couldn’t order wine unless assured it wouldn’t clash with either entrée.

Bianca had been seeing Geoff exclusively for months.  She’d become curious about where they were headed. Geoff’s text was alluring.

She was crazy about him. So mysterious. But she could see it going either way. Attentive and kind, Geoff had only one serious flaw. Famously indecisive, Geoff could change his mind multiple times while crossing a street. Bianca had often yanked him from the path of oncoming traffic because of this.

Could this be the night? Is he planning to pop the question?

Or pull a classic kiss off? So typical to buy a fancy dinner to salve guilt over canceling the Geoff and Bianca show. Their friends called them that because they looked so good together.

Either way, Bianca knew she’d survive. But the expectation of wearing his ring gave shivers to her goose bumps.

‘But what’s this ‘meet at’ crap? A girl’s got to pay her own valet? Sheesh!’

Dressed in her favorite blue dress, Bianca had style. It brought out her eyes.

The valet smiled when she gave him her keys. Heads turned as she walked into the restaurant.

‘However the chips fall, I will inspire him, or he’ll second guess himself for the rest of his freakin’ life.’

At least Geoff had handled the reservations. Manson’s always discouraged walk-ins. But tonight would be impossible. The host nodded to Bianca as she strode by the line of people awaiting tables. He didn’t need to direct her. Geoff sat in their favorite alcove.

He smiled and stood as she approached. They embraced and she sat.

She noticed he patted his breast pocket, as if checking for something. ‘Like a ring?’

“You’re beautiful, as ever…”

“Thanks!”

“This morning, I saw a blue bird outside my window. Same blue as your dress.”

‘Positive sign…’ She smiled. “That’s great…”

“Couldn’t help but think of the blue bird of happiness, you know…”

Bianca nodded. She didn’t dare say anything.

Geoff continued. “It preened for a full minute. I felt honored just to observe it, so natural and unself-conscious… So beautiful…” He signaled the waiter. “And then it flew away. Free as a bird, as they say. No attachments. Nothing held it back… Have you ever tried the chicken here? It’s amazing…”

“Uhm…”

That wasn’t what Bianca had expected. The waiter came and, on his recommendation, Geoff ordered wine for them both. The waiter left and he turned to Bianca.

“So, what’s up?”

“You tell me. You said you had ‘much to talk about…’”

“Oh, I missed you. Figured that would get you here.”

“Well, it did. Here I am…”

She thought, ‘He’s nervous… that would be good, no?’

The waiter brought their wine. Geoff seemed relieved at the distraction. He raised his glass to her.

“To you… Cheers!”

They clinked glasses and drank.

‘Cheers? What’s the occasion?’

Geoff set his glass down and smiled conspiratorially, as he leaned to Bianca. She smiled back.

He nodded toward the dining room “Look at them…”

“A lot of happy people sharing a meal…”

“Yeah, but… Look! You ever seen so much bling? Try getting through a metal detector…”

Bianca didn’t follow.

Geoff continued his rant. “…And the rings… That woman has three rings on one hand. What’s the point? So much cash spent on shiny objects.”

‘So, no ring tonight…’                             

Bianca held her left hand up. The silver figure of a fairy danced on her finger. “I like mine.”

Geoff peered at the ring. “Of course you do. That ring has style… But that’s not my point.”

“You mean the ostentation…?”

“Let me finish my thought, Bianca.” She put her hand in her lap. “I mean, I get it. A ring can be a special gift. It means something to the people who share its significance.”

“So, you’re saying…?”

He glared at her. “Would say, if I could get a word in edgewise…” Bianca looked down. “Women worry about their weight and then carry around enough metal to fill a barge.”

“But if she…”

Geoff’s look shut her down.

The waiter approached. “Would you like to hear our specials?” They shook their heads. “Do you wish to order now?”

Bianca ordered, “The filet mignon, medium…”

Geoff nodded. “Make that two.”

The waiter nodded and withdrew.

Geoff said, “You ever hear about those bridges where jilted lovers throw their rings into the river?”

She hesitated until Geoff’s nod told her to speak. “I have. A few years ago, some scuba guy swam under one of those bridges and salvaged a fortune in discarded jewelry. People were outraged.”

“Because of their shattered, romantic illusions? Hah!”

“Silver corrodes. But gold doesn’t. That’s why it holds its value. He didn’t rob anyone…”

“There you go. People invest so much emotion into inanimate objects. And they expect everyone to sign onto those emotions even when they toss the object.”

Bianca nodded. She had nothing else to say. The conversation had taken a detour unanticipated and little cared for.

Geoff added, “Weirdly, opening a store, he’d make more reselling the rings than by melting them down.”

“Are you thinking of opening a store?”

Geoff considered it for a moment and shook his head. “I don’t think so. Why would I do that?”

“You’ve spent so much time talking about it. I thought…”

“No… really. Just interesting. You know… rings are such deep symbols of love’s permanence…”

Bianca sipped her wine. The server brought their dinners.

Geoff sliced a morsel of his filet and sniffed it before putting it in his mouth. He groaned with pleasure.

He said, “Another thing… How do you like cake? Do you like cake? What’s your favorite?”

Another question from left field. She didn’t dare hope. Bianca answered warily.

“Layer cakes are nice. White… chocolate… I like cake if it’s not too sweet.”

“Right. Got that. But the icing…?”

Bianca realized the overhanded way she gripped her steak knife could be misinterpreted.

‘Don’t want to pull a ‘Psycho’ here in the restaurant. Or anywhere, for that matter.’

She said, “Too sweet for me… in general. Don’t care about icing much.”

“Yeah… All that… yechh!” He mimed pushing it away.

“But, you know, to look at… wedding cakes, with all the sculptured icing… so beautiful!”

Geoff laughed. “And the cute figures on top. I’ve seen some crazy stuff on wedding cakes.” He laughed. “Once saw a hippo and a stork.”

“But eating it… too rich!”

“I agree completely.” Geoff whispered, “Weddings are such a leap of faith. I mean, who needs all that drama? People want to be together, what’s to stop them?”

‘What are we talking about? Does this lead anywhere?’

Geoff took another bite and before swallowing, exclaimed, “Oh, another thing about rings…”

Bianca raised her napkin. She didn’t want half chewed food flying by.

“Have you noticed how many nose studs women have? I’d bet ten percent of the noses in this dining room sport them.”  

She had no opinion.

He continued his thought. “A disturbing trend… Don’t they worry? With one sneeze, they might put someone’s eye out?”

An irresistible tickle formed in Bianca’s sinuses. A sneeze loomed. ‘Quick… Where can I get one of those studs?’ She sneezed into her napkin.

Geoff laughed. “Exactly! Incoming! And the rings… Not like anyone’s going to thread a rope through it and lead her out to pasture. What are they thinking?”

Bianca looked at Geoff. “It’s a mystery. Doubt we’ll ever know.” She moved to stand. “Excuse me. I need…”

He watched as Bianca walked to the restroom.

She entered the ladies’ room, pulled out her phone and speed dialed her therapist, Dr. Flem. He’d promised her he would pick up any time she called.

He answered. “Dr. Flem, here…”

“Hi. Bianca here. Thanks for answering. I need your advice…” Bianca described her evening with Geoff.

After listening, he said, “Bianca, we’ve talked about this. Is this behavior consistent with who you know your friend to be? Or is it just an odd night, unlike any other?”

She thought for a moment and then began to nod her head. Trying not to cry, she said, “Yes, doctor… he’s pretty consistent.”

He said, “Remember, you always have a choice how to respond. Think through the potential results. But never surrender that.”

“Thank you, Doctor. I know what I’ll do. Thank you…”

She disconnected and replaced the phone into her purse.

Exiting the restroom, she slipped, unseen, past the concierge and into the night air.

Her phone buzzed with a text from Geoff. ‘You okay?’

‘Great…’

Bianca skipped down the walk as she signaled the valet.