The Party

Everyone started to arrive and Florence greeted them at the door. Bobbie hung back and helped with coats. Joan and her husband were first. “I love the atmosphere Bobbie, the little lights are great and the table looks like one long bar. I’m excited to see what you and Mark have come up with for your menu.”

Then Eddy, Charlie, June and Jenny all arrived at the same time.

“It sucks that I’m on call tonight but as long as there are no emergencies, I can be designated driver.”

“Oh Eddy I hope you can eat, at least!”

June blushed, pushed Bobbie away from the others. “ I’m not telling anyone yet but Charlie and I are trying for another other baby and I might be pregnant.”

Bobbie grabbed her hands and just said, “ Yay you!” and led her back to the party.

Johnny and Michelle and Aunt Linda arrived next. Bobbie couldn’t help but notice Mitch was far closer to Eddy’s age than Johnny’s age and sighed.

Then George arrived. He was dressed in a grey tweed blazer and some well fitting blue chords and wore wire glasses with a blue tint. He looked quite sharp. He sat down and Bobbie sat beside him.

“Well everybody this is George Dolan. He owns the safety supply store I used when I worked in Cid City so I’ve sort of known him for years and I finally met him in person the other day.”

Trudy, Greg and Vanessa and Lacey, then Barb, James and Jarrod eventually arrived and made themselves comfortable around the big table. Greg and George seemed to know each other, probably through the yacht club thought Bobbie.

Mark served wine and beer and sodas and Shirley temples and even a few drams of Scotch. Then he called into the kitchen. “Guys can you bring out the pizzas please?” While they waited he introduced himself. “I’m Mark Van Dyke and Bobbie has hired me to help plan the food service for her motel. We are starting with a pared down pub menu for the small pub that will be opened before the main restaurant is completed. I want the pub to focus on pizzas as an appetizer, small and flavourful pizzas, salty enough to make people want to drink more.” People laughed. He then described his 3 kinds of pizzas. “We have a sourdough crust. I chose sour dough because I like how it pairs with beer and it will make chewy and tangy crust. The first I have is pizza with a fresh tomato sauce and pepperoni and mozza cheese, the next is with pesto, glazed onions and goat cheese and the third is a vegetable pizza with fresh tomato sauce and grilled veggies and mozzarella cheese.” He bowed and Effie and Drey appeared from behind him with several trays of small (6 inch) pizzas that had each been cut into 4 pieces. Mark reappeared with a gluten free charcuterie board that he dropped surreptitiously in front of Johnny.

Bobbie thought all three pizzas were delicious and Joan liked them too. These are tasty Mark, the crust is perfect. It’s good that the Bar menu is simple and a pizza happy hour will bring people in. You can make up your money after happy hour.”

“I was thinking the bar would stop serving food except maybe appetizers once the restaurant was open. It could be sort of a gathering place to wait for your table. We don’t have much for the main restaurant menu but I wanted to try a hip of beef night.”

“The younger people didn’t really remember eating that way.” Joan said. “ That’s very old school Bobbie. Nowhere else in town does that anymore because meat is so expensive. I don’t even know where you would get a whole hip of beef, you’d probably need a vegetarian option but that’s an interesting idea for when you finally open.”

Joan and her Husband were the first to leave. Bobbie thanked them and said she hoped to see them at the pub when she had the soft opening.

Vanessa, who came with Greg and Trudy wanted to talk to Bobbie about her knitting. “Bobbie, I’m part of a fibre art group that meets once a week at one member’s hobby farm. They have chickens, cows and some real sheep! You may know one of the ladies, her name is Quinn McNally.”

“Wow it’s a small world, Quinn is our little cousin,” said Bobbie, indicating Trixie. I didn’t realize she lived around here. I last saw her in Cid City.

Jenny, her now tipsy daughter-in-law, moved over to her. “You’re really doing it Bobbie. I can’t believe how you’ve rallied after such a rough time and have reinvented yourself as a restaurateur and motelier. I want to be like you when I grow up.”

Bobbie hugged her. “Thanks Jenny, most of the planning was done ages ago with Alex. It’s really our dream.”

Charlie was feeling his drink too and was calling her ‘Syble’ in a clipped English accent and laughing and Bobbie realized he was referring to the British sitcom Faulty Towers motel owner and tried to laugh along but the wine was making her a little maudlin. She kept it to herself.

Her Mother and Johnny’s Aunt Linda were deep in discussion and Bobbie composed herself on her way over to them.

“Sit down dear, we were just chatting about what will happen when you move into your new apartment.”

Linda began. “With Johnny and Mitch and young Sid moving into the house with me, I was thinking I would like to sell out to Johnny and move into an apartment. I have my nurses pension, I’d be fine, but your mother suggested that I could move in here, to rent the room you are leaving.”

“Yes Bobbie, Linda would be good company and we can split groceries and utilities and live quite well. We have known each other a long time and are old friends.”

“Gee Mom that sounds perfect! I was a little worried about leaving you alone, we’ve had fun the last few months.”

“I’m a little worried about you Bobbie You’ll be in that big apartment out at that motel all by yourself.” Then she looked towards George who was starting to leave and added coyly, “Maybe you won’t be alone for ever.”

“Mother!” Bobbie exclaimed in mock horror as she moved towards him. She motioned to the settee by the door, “George, are you heading out?”

They sat for a moment. “Yes,” said George. “Thanks for inviting me Bobbie, you have a lot of family and devoted friends. I’m not sure I fit in so well. I suspect your sons still think of their father a lot and don’t want you to date anyone yet.”

Bobbie sighed and said, “I must confess, when I saw you I thought you looked so nice, but my very next thought was how Alex would have looked at your glasses and told you how cool they were and asked where he could get a pair. I also think Alex would have really liked you.”

George smiled ruefully and said, “I feel like it’s a little too soon for you to get serious with someone Bobbie.”

“Can’t we take it slow and see if we can be friends, George? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“You’re right, of course, I’ll call you tomorrow and we can chat. I had a great time Bobbie, good night.”

“Good night,” Bobbie turned to her remaining guests.

“You’re not serious about that guy are you Mom?”

“Well Charlie, we’re not even really friends yet but you didn’t have to be so rough on him.”

“Aww, he held his own.” said Eddy, “George is not so bad Mom.”

Mark came out of the kitchen and was polling everyone for detailed critiques of his pizza. He was taking a ribbing but was pleased with the positive comments in general. Bobbie moved into the kitchen and was glad to see it was cleaned up and she’d have to remember to give bonuses to the staff on Monday.

They laughed and chatted for a bit longer and then everyone said good night.

Bobbie drank some water, washed her face and went to bed. She couldn’t sleep. All she could think about was how Alex and George and Greg would have been such good friends.