Spencer's
ChroniclesWritten by Taboo MacFru
Chapter 4
They were seated immediately in the smoking section of the restaurant. Adam leaned over and took the lighter from Spencer's hand when she had prepared to light a cigarette. She used one hand to steady his as she drew deeply on the cigarette to get it started. As Joe had thought earlier in the day, he now noticed how enticing she looked when inhaling deeply.
Reading the menu, she asked, "What do you recommend?"
"The guacamole is good, the enchiladas are excellent, the fajitas are tasty," Adam answered. "And, as I promised, the Dos Equis is iced downin a cooler behind the bar."
"Then I'll have the cheese and onion enchiladas, some guacamole and a Dos Equis," Spencer told him.
Adam gave their order to the waiter. "Now tell me how I can help with your project."Throughout dinner, Spencer explained several volunteer opportunities in the office. Adam asked several questions about office operations and the outreach program.
As the waiter cleared away the plates, Adam asked Spencer if she would like some dessert. "No, what I'd really like is a margarita." The waiter asked how she'd like it. "On the rocks, with salt, please."
Adam ordered two. "I've never tried one on the rocks. Is it better?"
"It's my preference. The only time I like a frozen 'Rita is if it is swirled with frozen Sangria."
The waiter brought the drinks. They both sipped their drinks.
Adam judged, " This is much better than frozen."
As Spencer made a mmotion to light a cigarette, Adam held out his hand, palm up, eyebrows raised in a silent question. She passed him the lighter with a smile. Leaning towards one another, Adam lit the flame as he looked into her eyes. Steadying his hand with hers and matching his gaze, Spencer felt as if the flame from the lighter had somehow travelled from the tip of the cigarette to the center of her body. "The mark of a true gentleman," Spencer observed as she broke eye contact.
"Excuse me, I don't understand," Adam responded as he doused the flame.
"A gentleman waits until the lady has broken eye contact before removing the flame from her cigarette. It's a 'Southern' thing," she explained. " So, Adam, which volunteer activity interests you the most?"
"Frankly, none of them." Seeing disappointment on her face, he added, "I want more contact with the kids. Being cooped up in an office isn't for me."
Brightening Spencer explained, "That is possible. I am training another volunteer this week to do street outreach and testing counseling. But," she cautioned,"this requires a lot of time. You would ned to be in my office every afternoon this week, and then go out on the streets with me every day and some nights next week. Then after that I'd need a commitment for at least one test sight coverage every week for six months. I know that's a lot of time, but unless I get that kind of commitment, it not cost effective to train a volunteer to do outreach and counseling." She paused to take a breath and looked at Adam questioningly.
"No problem," he quickly agreed. "I'll spend tomorrow morning clearing my calendar and I'll be at your disposal for the rest of the week. Want another margarita?"
"Ohmigod! this has got.... Yes, I would like another 'Rita. This is the best day I've ever had for volunteer recruitment. Hell, this is the best day anyone I know has ever had for recruiting volunteers."
After the waiter brought the new round of drinks, Spencer clinked hers against his and toasted,"Thanks for making this an extremely wonderful day."
"You are very welcome. It's been my pleasure. ... And now that we're through with business?" he questioned. She nodded and he continued, " How about some personal conversation?"
"Okay, how personal?" she responded.
"Oh, just the basics. Where you grew up? Where you went to school? your favorite color? hobbies? marital status?book on your nightstand? favorite movie?"
"Alright, I grew up in Kerrville, in the Hill Country of Texas, spent summers up and down the Gulf Coast of Texas; I got my undergraduate degree in Social Work from North Texas State University (it's now called the University of North Texas), my Master's in Health Education is from Johns Hopkins; purple and green are my favorite colors, I practice Tai Chi daily for fitness and stress reduction; I'm divorced with no current attachments I consider serious; Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is what I'm reading now; and my three favorite movies, sorry I can't name just one, The Lion in Winter, The Prince of Tides, and oh this is harder than I thought, I guess the last would have to be... It's a Wonderful Life. but I reserve the right to substitute Braveheart, Michael Collins and Casablanca."
"That's amazing," Adam praised, "you answered in exactly the same order I asked the questions. How do you do that?"
Spencer shrugged, "I don't know. I just do. I never really questioned it. I remember phone numbers, too. But I forget sometimes how old I am. My memory and accessing it are a total mystery to me. "
"Well, I'm impressed."
"Thank you. Now it's your turn."
"My turn? To answer questions. Same ones?" he asked.
She nodded.
"I grew up all over Europe. Starting in Greece. My undergraduate degree in Anthropolgy is from Cambridge, my graduate degrees in Cultural Anthropology are from Oxford; Blue is my favorite color; I practice Martial Arts with Duncan and Richie, his partner/protege, I also fence rather well; I've been a widower for several years now; I just started Anne Rice's Mayfair Witches series; and my favorite movie, like you I can't narrow it down to one, I guess that 2001, Ken Branagh's version of Much Ado about Nothing; and Peter's Friends would make my top three, with African Queen, Destiny Turns on the Radio and Blade Runner as alternates. "
"Since you fence, you'll probably like one of my bumper stickers, then. It says 'If They Outlaw Guns, Can We All Carry Swords?" she replied.
He laughed, "I think that's a marvelous idea."
"Would you like anything else?" the waiter had returned to the table and asked. Adam looked at Spencer, who shook her head. "No , thank you. We'll just take the check." After the waiter left, Adam told her, "I realize you may be tired, but I'm really enjoying your company. Would you like to go someplace else and talk more?"
"I am, too. Enjoying your company, and yes I would like to continue our conversation, but where? Joe's is probably too crowded and noisy. And since he's been so generous in offering the bar as a testing site I would feel disloyal spending money in another bar. Do you by any chance like Hornsby's?"
"George Hornsby's Pub Drafts? Are you daft woman? Of course I do. " Adam gave her an appraising look.
"Well, I have some Draft Cider and Dark Cider. And my house is quiet enough for conversation, if you think you'd be comfortable there," Spencer offered.
"Lovely. I'll just take care of the check and we'll leave."
As they drove back to Joe's for Spencer's car, Adam asked, "Do you have pets? or a roommate?"
"No, to both. I don't have the time to take care of a pet properly, and I like my privacy too much for a roommate."When they arrived at Joe's, he pulled to the curb behind the green convertible Spencer indicated was hers. He got out to open her door and escort her to her car. She pointed out the bumper sticker and they both chuckled.
He opened her car door and said," I'll be right behind you."
"I'll try to keep it under 70,"she replied.
He was laughing as he shut her door.
Part 5 will be available in about 2 weeks :) Remember, feedback is welcome... Email the MacChat's and the writer's at MacChat_Web@hotmail.com
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