Page 42 of Alice & Meg: Summer Vacation
We’d just wrapped up our second-to-last full day in Falls City, and though our sunset dinner boat had already pulled away (Meg and I miscalculated the dock time), the night was still ours.
We regrouped at the Flamingo Inn lobby, each of us in fresh clothes for a proper Saturday night supper.
Adley was there sipping water.“I live in my parents’ basement,” she told us, “so...I don’t think I should be blowing a hundred bucks to eat steak on a boat.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Greta raised a hand.“I don’t live in my parents’ basement,” she said, “but I second that sentiment.I’d rather eat steak on dry land for half the cost.”
I guess they had done some investigating while Wrecker and I had been in our room.I had planned to pay for everyone’s dinner boat ticket, but I was happy not to throw down that fifteen hundred.
“Then supper club it is,” Meg declared.“A round of old-fashioneds and some good food on dry land.”
We all cheered.It was exactly what we needed.
Two blocks later, we stepped into the warm glow of The Velvet Timber, our supper?club for the evening.The front façade had a striped awning, a small patio with string lights, and that “supper club” charm.
Inside was classic supper club cozy: dark wood paneling, checkered tile floors, and a small band tucked by a fireplace, playing easy covers of Fleetwood Mac and Eagles songs.Their lead singer was crooning “Landslide” just as we walked in.
They seated us at a long, rectangular table near the band.As we settled, I watched the girls in their colorful dresses and the guys in their cuts, Wrecker looking as effortlessly handsome as ever.
The waitress, Peri, came by with a soft smile and pen at the ready.“Good evening, folks.Tonight’s specials are prime rib and scallops.”
Meg let out a whoop that turned a few heads.“That’ll do it!Scallops all the way!”She wiggled her fingers for emphasis.
I closed my menu and set it down.“I’ll have what she’s having.”
Everyone laughed.
The guys all ordered prime rib.Raven, Cyn, Reva, Wendy, and Adley split between scallops and salmon.We also decided to share three appetizers: seafood stuffed mushrooms, artichoke-spinach dip, and bacon-wrapped dates, because, of course, Meg was insistent on trying them.We did have to order three of each appetizer to make sure there was enough for all of us.
Peri bustled away and moments later returned with a round of old-fashioneds for the table.
Adley raised her glass and inspected it.“Why are these drinks just better in Wisconsin?”she sighed and took a sip.
Meg clinked her glass with Adley’s.“Amen.”
“What are the plans for tomorrow?”Raven asked.
Cyn suggested, “We could do the wildlife park tomorrow.Hero loved it when he was little.”
Reva’s eyes lit up.“And the deer park, too!”
“I’ll second that,” I nodded.“Let’s make tomorrow an animal day.”
Those suggestions thrilled both Reva, who had her own grooming business, and Greta, who was a vet tech.
Bear raised a thick brow.“Only if she agrees not to free all the animals.”He nodded at Greta, his tone half-amused, half-serious.
Reva laughed and twirled her straw.“As long as the habitats are okay.”
Then the tale that apparently couldn’t help but be brought up: Greta at twelve, dragging a penguin out from the zoo in her backpack.
Adley asked, “What do you even feed a penguin?”
Greta answered earnestly, “Krill, squid, fish.”She shrugged.
“I don’t even know what krill is,” Raven laughed.
