Page 11 of Screw Christmas
Heat seared my cheeks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t. I’ve tried to put the past in the past.” Now it was my turn to feel like an asshole.
“Yes, I suppose.”
“Merry Christmas!” A thin, elderly gentleman greeted emerging from the back, weaving his way around the tables to us. “Take a seat wherever you please.” There was a distinct Italian accent in his words.
We were the only people in the restaurant making me feel bad that he was working with no guests to keep him busy. Must be lonely. “Slow night?” I asked choosing a table towards the back, away from the draft of the front door.
“Yes. Christmas Day evening can be like that.”
“Why stay open then? You’d rather be home with your family I suspect.” Shrugging out of my jacket, I draped it over the back of the chair next to mine and then sat down.
“My son and I own this establishment. He cooks. I serve. We don’t have any other family in the city so we stay open for those who might need a family atmosphere and home-cooked meal on this day.”
Looking across the table, I gave Dylan a smile. It was a good call on his part after all. “That’s very nice of you.”
“Family and kindness are what the holidays are all about.” He cleared his throat. “So, what can I get you two to drink?”
“A bottle of white wine would be good. Whatever you recommend.” Dylan replied for both of us.
Did he remember that I preferred white over red or was he just guessing? We used to have a glass of wine with supper on Sundays when we all lived together. No matter the meal I always preferred white over red.
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Chapter 6
Dylan
“I really can’t believe that you live in New York and don’t come to see the Rockefeller tree each year,” Dylan commented as we reached Rockefeller Center and came to a halt in front of the tree. While we’d eaten, the weather had improved, the wind dying down so you could enjoy the shimmer on the freshly laid snow as the lights of the city shone down on it.
I shrugged. “It’s just that I’m busy. I drive by it when on duty from time to time. It’s just not something I think about. It’s like anything,” I shrugged, “If you live somewhere, things outsiders find extraordinary just become normal.”
Dylan made a tsk-tsk noise. “To think you live here and don’t take advantage of it all.”
Raising a brow at him, I shrugged a second time as a gust of wind kicked up some snow and slapped me in the face with it. “You keep saying that, but you’ll see once you’ve been here a while that these things just become part of life and no real big deal. Thank you for Christmas supper by the way. It was extremely good.”
Looking up the length of the tree, I took a moment to admire the beauty that took countless hours of work to perfect. It was a sight to behold. It had been years since I’d had a tree of my own. My apartment was small, and it just didn’t seem to be worth the effort since I’d be the only one to see it. Even when I was in a relationship, my ex wasn’t much for a tree either, so it just didn’t seem worth the bother.
“My pleasure, the least I could do for barging in on you unexpectedly.”
“Yes. As much as I appreciate the gesture and the food was amazing, shouldn’t you be saving your money to get on your feet?”
“Once I get a gig, I’ll be out of your hair. I promise I won’t be freeloading for long. It’s Christmas, I couldn’t just drop in without at least doing something for you. Besides, you looked like you could use a pick-me-up.” He cleared his throat, “And there really wasn’t much in the house to use to prepare a meal.”
“Yeah, we can grab some groceries tomorrow. Since you’re going to be freeloading for a while.”
“Just until I get a job.”
“Right.”
“Paying job.” He corrected.
I grinned. “Yes, those would be preferable to the unpaid types.”
“Maybe I can get something temporary until I land myself a role. I do see an agent tomorrow and hoping they will take me on.”
“What if you don’t land yourself a role? What happens then? You are forty, you’re starting late in the game.” I didn’t want to be a pessimist, but I didn’t know a single person who made it as an actor, musician, performer, especially starting so late. Hell, I saw them pedaling their trade on the streets every day, especially in the summer. Some were extremely talented, yet never managed to fulfill their dreams. His plan seemed a little too pie in the sky for me.
“I’ve got to be optimistic. I haven’t even started to audition yet. Lots of actors started late in life, Samuel L Jackson, Harrison Ford and Melissa McCarthy to name just a few. And I don’t look forty. With the right make-up I bet I could pass for thirty.”
