Saturday Morning

The sun was bright after the rain stopped.

Zed cleared the plates from their meager meal. Betty watched him, eyes sparkling. Alice leaned back, arms crossed, studying the room.

-So. What’s the play today?

Betty perked up.

-Explore. The weather is beautiful. I heard there's a charming antique strip downtown.

Alice rolled her eyes.

-Antiques? Seriously?

-Fresh air, Al. Quality company.

Betty gestured between herself and Zed.

-Unless you have a better idea?

Alice tapped her chin. She stood up and walked over to Zed.

-I was thinking we could re-familiarize ourselves with the rest of the house. You haven't shown us the basement. Or the backyard.

Zed opened the back door. The air was crisp.

-Backyard's mostly for smoking.

Alice followed him out. She trailed a finger down his chest.

-We could change that. Put on a show for the neighbors, Alice said.

Betty blushed from the doorway.

-Alice!

Zed caught Alice’s hand.

-I have a better idea. Downtown.

Alice raised an eyebrow.

-You're turning down a show?

-I'm postponing it. You don’t have anything to model. We’ve got to go for a little bit of shopping.

Alice narrowed her eyes.

-Fine. But I pick it out.

-Wouldn't have it any other way. There’s a cute boutique next to the antique store, we can do both, he said with a smile as he looked from Alice to Betty.

The little downtown are was a fifteen minute walk, uphill, and always felt longer than it seemed before the start.

Alice set a brisk pace, hands jammed in the pockets of Zed’s borrowed jacket. Betty linked her arm with Zed’s.

-It’s a lot easier downhill, Zed promised.

They reached the strip. An antique store, a boutique, a cafe.

-Coffee first, Zed said.

The cafe was quiet. Early afternoon lull. They approached the counter.

The barista looked up. Nametag: Carla.

She was homely. A stark contrast to Alice’s sharp angles.

-What can I get you?

Zed ordered black coffee. Betty pointed at the brownies.

-Those look divine.

Alice leaned on the counter.

-I need something substantial. Not dainty.

She looked at Zed. Then back at Carla.

-Got any meat pies? Turnovers?

Carla blinked.

-We have sandwiches. Ham and cheese?

-That’ll do. Unless you were planning to feed me something more... substantial later?

Alice shot a look at Zed.

Carla’s face went pink.

-The lady means lunch, Zed cut in.

He looked at Carla for the first time.

-When do you get off, Carla?

Carla nearly dropped the tongs.

-Um. Six.

-Do you like Italian?

Alice snorted. Betty fanned herself with a napkin.

-Oh my.

Zed didn't blink.

-We're making dinner. Spaghetti. Sausage.

He leaned closer.

-I sling a mean sausage.

Carla turned red. She looked at Zed, then at the two beautiful women flanking him.

-I... I'm actually a vegetarian.

Zed laughed. Easy. Charming.

-That’s fine. We have plenty of pasta.

He wrote his address on a napkin. Slid it across the counter.

-Should I bring anything?, Carla asked.

-Surprise us. Seven o'clock.

Carla took the napkin. Her fingers brushed his. Trembling.

-Okay.

They sat by the window.

Alice took a bite of her sandwich. She stared at Zed.

-You work fast.

-I thought she was pretty. In a wholesome way.

Betty nibbled on her brownie.

-Like a modern-day milkmaid.

-Inviting a stranger to our dinner?

Alice shook her head. She was smiling?

-Our dinner?, Zed asked.

-Of course silly, Betty replied. You’d have to let me make dinner for you.

-So we’ll have an extra, the more the merrier, Zed said as he finished his coffee. Now let's go get you girls something to wear.