Mary [Ekholm] Francis
(c) 1997
Steve raised his empty glass to catch the bartender�s eye, and when he succeeded, nodded yes. He pointed toward Colleen�s glass, but she shook her head; one drink before dinner was enough for her. She wondered if Steve was wise to have a second. She wanted to suggest that they order coffee or sodas and an appetizer while they waited for their table, but she was concerned that Steve might think she was a prude who wouldn�t let a man have more than one drink when he was with her.
�I�m so hungry, I could eat a bear.� Steve smiled at Colleen. �I didn�t have time for lunch today. Did you?�
�I took time for a bowl of soup and a sandwich at the little restaurant around the corner from the office. I was running late this morning, so I skipped breakfast.� Colleen paused a moment before adding, �If I go all day without food, I get tired and ornery. I didn�t want to snap at you on our first dinner date, so I made sure I took time to eat at least once.� Her eyes twinkled as she waited for Steve�s response.
�Ornery, huh.� He tilted his head and raised his eyebrows. �I guess we�ll have to start every date with food, so I won�t get bit.�
�You think I won�t bite the hand that feeds me?� Colleen chuckled.
�I�m hoping you won�t.� Steve grinned and lifted the glass that the bartender had just set in front of him. �M-m-m. Kentucky bourbon. Wonderful appetizer.�
�My grandpa used to say that bourbon made him hungry, wine made him sleepy, and beer made him stupid.�
�Was it true?�
�I don�t know.� Colleen�s eyes focused on the bridge of Steve�s nose--it was easier than looking into his eyes--and she smiled. �Whenever grandma heard him say it, she would roll her eyes and say, �They all make him stupid!� Then she would laugh, and he would nod his head and laugh. The only thing I ever saw him drink was the communion wine at church.� Her eyes opened wide as she connected her grandfather�s statement with his behavior, and she chuckled softly. �And he did tend to doze off during the sermon afterward.�
�Well, I can�t imagine myself having a tendency to doze off while I�m with you, no matter how much wine we drank.� Steve looked steadily into Colleen�s eyes until she blushed and looked away. He picked up his glass and took a swallow. �I am fascinated by your hazel eyes. I never know what color to expect to see; they change with your clothes and your moods. And that dark ring surrounding the color adds a hint of mystery.� He frowned as he leaned toward her. �Are you a witch in disguise?�
Colleen leaned forward and whispered, �Yes. I was sent here to cast a spell on you that would force you to give me your tickets to Showboat.� She shook her head and sighed. �I have failed.�
Steve reached across the table and patted her hand. �Not exactly, Ms. Witch. You are getting one of them tonight.� He laughed and sipped his bourbon.
�How long ago did you have to buy tickets in order to get such good ones on the main floor?�
�When Sandra, my girlfriend back then, heard that Showboat was coming to the theater here, she made me call for tickets right away when they went on sale. And then, when we broke up, she wanted me to give her the tickets. I told her not to worry, that I wouldn�t let them go to waste. Then she asked if she could have just one--�her� ticket, she called it.� Steve made a snorting noise and raised his glass to his lips. �I figured that, since I had paid for them, they were both mine.� He smiled at Colleen. �I�m really glad I hung on to them.�
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