Disclaimer: No recognisable characters or places belong to me. I'm proud to say the lasagne does.
Notes: represents Garfield's speech/thoughts.
This story is dedicated to Pop. Thanks for letting me use your computer.
Roberto's
The morning sunshine… OK, I'm lying. It was about noon when the midday sun finally woke the orange meatball with stripes from his peaceful slumber. Garfield stretched before stomping to the kitchen. After devouring the entire contents of the fridge (with the exception of Jon's three year old, unopened jar of cocktail onions) Garfield felt much better. He felt so good that he didn't even bother to kick Odie when he walked past.
It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the birds were singing. Not even Garfield could resist the appeal of the great outdoors. He strolled outside and found a nice patch of green grass. This would be the perfect place for a nap. He thought, stretching out on the ground. He opened his mouth in the hope that one of those singing birds would fall into it while he napped under that shining sun.
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Jon stood over Garfield. He was wearing his 'going out' clothes – a green and orange checked suit and a purple bowtie. He nudged his cat gently with his foot. It was worth waking Garfield (in other words risking a slow and painful death) just to hear his grateful thanks. Jon planned to take Garfield and Odie to Roberto's for lunch. Roberto's was the finest Italian restaurant in town.
Garfield was beginning to show signs of movement so Jon backed away a few feet. "Garfield…" Jon was interrupted by a loud groan. Garfield's eyelids fluttered for a few moments before one eye popped open.
I see you're dressed to impress. Garfield 'said', eyeing Jon suspiciously.
"Garfield, I'm taking Odie to Roberto's for lunch." With the mention of Roberto's Garfield sprang to his feet. At length Jon asked, "Wanna come?"
Jon had to hurry Garfield into the car. He was worried that such vigorous nodding might cause brain damage. Odie was already in the car. It took Jon several minutes to get the old bomb going. By the time he did Garfield had made a large pool of drool on the cheap, plasticky imitation leather of the back seat.
All throughout the short trip (made longer by Jon's driving) Odie had his head out the window. His eyes were half closed and his tongue was hanging out in pure doggish bliss. It didn't bother Garfield, for once. His mind was entirely focussed on pizza, lasagne, garlic bread, spaghetti, etc…
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Jon parked crookedly outside Roberto's. He straightened his bowtie before getting out and walking into the restaurant. Garfield and Odie followed him keenly.
Inside the restaurant was neat and clean. Pictures of large men with larger curled moustaches broke the monotony of the olive green walls. Garfield raced in and sat eagerly at a table. Pretty red serviettes with gold trim were folded to look like swans. Garfield barely noticed. His eyes were wide with aanticipation.
Jon and Odie followed Garfield at a more leisurely pace. "That's the fastest I've seen you move since… since… well, since forever." Jon remarked, sitting down. Garfield gave the briefest of shrugs.
A waitress emerged from the kitchen at the back. She offered them menus, but Jon waved them away. "We'll just have three large plates of lasagne, please."
You and Odie aren't eating, then? Garfield's already huge grin widened even further.
"Make that five." Jon said.
"Will there be anything else?" Asked the waitress as she scribbled on her notepad.
"That's all." Said Jon. Garfield raised his eyebrows.
That's what you think!
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The waitress arrived with two plates of lasagne. When Jon said LARGE he never imagined it could get this big. The thin young waitress was clearly struggling with the weight of the two plates. She had to make multiple journeys from the kitchen to their table to get the huge order there. This didn't faze Garfield, though. By the time the waitress returned with the fifth plate he'd already started on his second.
"Enjoy your meal." She murmured, watching him in awe. Jon picked up his fork at the exact same moment as Garfield started on his third plate. Garfield only took one bite of this one.
This doesn't taste like lasagne…