Chapter 1: Will on Ice
"But Honey…it's your birthday." Karen said looking at Will.
"I know; I just wish we didn't miss our reservations. I was really looking forward to Balthazar." Will said sadly
"Want to get out of here?"
"Karen, we can't leave them." Just then the crowd jumped at something they thought was amazing. Will quickly turned to Grace. "Gracie I'm gonna get going. You stay and have fun." Karen was smiling behind him.
"What why? I'll come with." Grace said worriedly
"No, you stay here and have fun…ill see you at home."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course" He said giving her a kiss on the forehead.
Once Will and Karen were outside they just stood there. They realized that they were out with each other.
"So"
"So"
"I guess I'll call driver. The restaurant is a little far from here to walk."
"I thought we missed our reservations?" Will asked
"We did…but honey, I'm Karen Walker. I didn't exactly give Leonte and choice in getting you a table the first place. Why would now be any different." Karen laughed
"Oh…thank you."
"No problem; besides, it was either this or mingling with the neighbors at the monthly get together. I swear…people are annoying."
Silence fell over the two after Karen called her driver. They were waiting for the limo and were a little uncomfortable. They have never really gotten along and now they were going to a very high class restaurant together. It was weird for the both of them.
The ride to the restaurant was as uncomfortable. Karen got a martini and offered Will one but he declined.
"Come on, Honey, what's the harm?" Karen asked
"I'll have some at the restaurant. I like to pace myself."
"Suit yourself." Karen sipped her drink
Once they got to the restaurant they ran into a problem.
"Look Mr., I want in right now. If I don't get in you'll lose a very important client. Do you know who I am? I'm Karen Walker, now let me in."
"I'm sorry Ms. Walker but I can't. You missed your reservation."
"Come on Karen, let's just go somewhere else. I don't care what we eat." Will said trying to pull Karen away.
"No Will, we are going to eat here. Where's Leonte, life failure?"
"Please hold on Ms. Walker." He said as he went to find his boss
"That's Mrs. Walker, Stanly Walker, to you." She called out.
"Karen this isn't really necessary. We can go somewhere else."
"Honey, one, my night is made because I'm going to get that kid fired; two, Stanley and I spend enough money here to get a table whenever we want. We don't need reservations. Money helps in so many ways. You should try and get some. Life is so much more fun. "
"I'm working on that. Karen, can you do me a favor?"
"What's that?"
"Don't get that kid fired."
"What? Why?"
"He looks young and you said he's new. He just didn't know who you were." Will tried
Karen let out a sigh, "Fine, but only because it's your birthday."
"Mrs. Walker, what a pleasure it is to see you again." Leonte said coming over and shaking Karen's hand. "I'm sorry for the confusion, your table is right this way. Please follow me Mrs. Walker and Mr.…?"
"Truman, Will Truman."
"Ah…welcome Mr. Truman. I hope you enjoy your dinner this evening."
"Break out the good stuff too, its Mr. Truman's birthday."
"Of course ma'am"
Once they were seated there was another uncomfortable silence. Neither of them knew what to say to one another. All they ever did was insult each other. Will couldn't do that right now because Karen just got him into one of the best restaurants in the city.
"So…do you get special treatment like that everywhere you go?" Will asked curiously
"Uh huh; when you spend a few thousand dollars somewhere, they tend to remember you."
"You spend a thousand dollars here?" Will asked in surprise
"Sometimes; the food and drinks add up, especially with more than two people. When the kids are here they enjoy playing pranks on the staff. We leave a big tip on those days." Karen laughed. "So what do you really want for your birthday?"
"I don't want anything except a nice dinner."
"Come on honey, you have to want something. The gays always do." Karen said sipping her drink. "If you could have one thing, what would it be?"
"One thing?" Karen nodded. "I want…no"
"No…What?"
"You'll make fun of me." Karen started to protest. "Don't deny it and don't worry about it. It's what we do."
"Huh…I guess your right." Karen took a bite of her salad.
"Grace and Jack to get along" Will said after a moment
"Grace and Jack…what kind of present is that?"
"See, I knew you would judge." Will said accusingly
"I'm sorry, but that's not a present. Don't you want clothes, jewelry…an island? Anything you want and you chose something that is already there. Will you are the most self centered nice person I have ever met." Karen said
"Um…thank you…I think. Karen, life isn't all about material things."
"You don't catch on fast do you? I'm trying to find out what I can buy you for a present. This dinner isn't enough. Besides, I don't do that touchy feely stuff."
"You don't have to buy me anything, Karen."
"I don't have to, but I will."
"Why?"
"Because I can and I want to."
Will was a little shocked at this. He never saw Karen be giving. He was a little confused. "Why are you doing this for me?"
"I don't know. Didn't your mother ever teach you how to take a present?" Karen snapped. Will saw she was obviously done with the conversation.
The rest of dinner went by in silence, uncomfortable silence. When they were done Karen paid the bill. They went outside and waited for the limo to come around.
"If you want I can get a cab so you don't have to go out of your way." Will suggested
"No its ok. It's not far out of my way." Karen said
When they got close to Will's place Will turned to Karen and asked, "Why don't you do the touchy feely thing? What's wrong with it?"
Karen wasn't expecting such a deep question from Will. She hesitated to answer, but then decided to answer, "This doesn't leave the limo." She said in seriousness.
"I promise." Will held up his right hand
"Hurt before your hurt. The only way to make sure you're not hurt is to make sure nobody can hurt you."
"That's a sad look at life."
"It's the truth. You wanted to go to Balthazar and you didn't get it. You hurt when you found out you weren't going. If you said no before, you wouldn't be hurting."
Will didn't know what to say. In a way she was right. Will tried something he didn't know would work, "How were you hurt?"
Karen looked up from her drink. "We're here" Karen said pointing to Will's building through the window
"Sorry, it wasn't my place to ask that." Will said opening the door.
Karen reached out to wills arm before he could get out, "Will, I've been married twice, you figure it out. I've had a life that I'm not really proud of."
Will gave a small smile, "That's no reason to close yourself off from feeling."
"Goodnight Will"
"Night Karen"
When will got upstairs he found grace sitting on the couch. She jumped up when he came through the door. "I am so sorry Will. It's your birthday. We should have done what you wanted."
"It's fine. I went to Balthazar with Karen. It was…nice…at some points."
"Nice…with Karen? Whatever floats your boat. Are you sure you're not mad at me?"
"I'm sure; but now I'm gonna go to bed. Night Gracie"