Dinner with the Devil's pet.

We sat on the bench,deep in thought
of delights yet to be wrought
and figuring the chances of our best Laid plans.
Thinking of when to split
From the group,and get to it
The hour glass was quickly running out of sand.

When from over the hill they came,
discussing matters of the same
kind-6 couples decended all en masse
Upon our place of higher thought,
showing bundles of stuff they bought:
trinkets,and baubles,and carnival glass

There we were, all our group
there on a knoll in a traffic loop
to onlookers we must of truly been a sight
7 couples- friends & lovers together
throughout both fair and foul weather
But that almost ended on this fateful night.

"Hey guys,we're hungry"Candy said,
"and could eat from now til bed,
Without being full.Where are we going to eat?"
Jerry replied"I know of a place
we have yet to show our face.
Great portion,fair prices.And french cusine that can't be beat."

Against Lori's reservations,we set out
{The others drug us-have no doubt}
to this bistro-I can't remember it's damned name
Across Orange county we went
no one caring what was spent
French cusine awaited us, along with mighty shame.

In we came and down we were sat,
and were given menus that
I happen to be the only one able to read.
"Garcon,salads all around,
and the house red will abound,
until we figure out what we need."

"Okay,Mathew.What is next?"
I asked,quite perplexed
As to what would happen when one lets a neophyte
Order food in a forigen tounge.
What the hell,we were young
And foolish.and damned lucky to make it through the night.

"Today's special is LUPAN du ALLEY..."
"Hey,that sounds good to me!"
and twelve more head nodded thier asent.
" I want a steak."I said feeling cocky,
Grill off the whip marks,and knock off the jockey.
and plenty of bread with sweet butter."was my only comment.

"Mickey,dear,What's up with you?
Don't you want some of this stew?
Lupan is rabbit,is that not what was said?"
"Maria dear,I just feel the need
For bigger game on which to feed."
Was the only eplaination until after they were fed.

The food arrived,we all dug in
Like we'd never eat again
{that was a thought that crossed my mind}.
The plates were cleaned,now for dessert:
Cheesecake?No that doesn't work.
Cherries Jubuliee is on what we dined.

Everything went well,the bill was paid
We went to the cars,when Gwen was laid
Low by cramps from her abdomen
we got her to the E/R
Where she let loose on the floor
every thing she ate, and the heaved again.

All hell broke loose,the others spew
The evening's delicous stew
The doctor said that they weren't to blame
He looked at me and said,"et tu?
I said nope,he asked "Who?"
I named the place-he just said "Ptomaine"

The next morning,when they got out
They gathered around and shout
"What the hell did we all eat,but not you?"
"Your "Special" wasn't all that.
the meat in there was a CAT.
No RABBIT anywhere in that stew."

How I survived to tell this tale
is almost like Ahab and his whale.
A different tale for another Time
But I'll say that they got me back
For the simple tale I lack
To tell them.t'was my only crime.

This is the only apology from me
about this day of infamy
when keeping my mouth closed did harm
to the ones I respect and love
and with the grace of the Gods above
they'll be always kept safe and warm.