DINNER

"You look lovely, Catherine. How's your head?"

"Thank you, Robert. You dress up very well too." Robert laughed. "My head is a little sore, I'm sure I'll see a bruise in the morning."

Once in the car, he asked, "steak, seafood, or Italian, what's your preference?"

"My preference is Italian."

"My favorite too; ever been to Romero's?"

"Once, when it first opened."

"He's added on since then, it's a very busy restaurant, even has takeout."

The restaurant had a very soothing ambiance. Robert requested a booth in the back. It was very secluded.

"Catherine, would you like a drink?' "I'll take wine with dinner; I know not to drink on an empty stomach."

"I'll order a small appetizer for us; White wine?"

"That's fine."

"Robert, did you say anything to Lori?"

"I told her I was eating out; suggested she call a girlfriend and go out. Michael was with Jeff."

Their appetizer and wine arrived. "Catherine, tell me about yourself; did you always want to be a doctor?"

"No. When I was young I had all the girly aspirations; I wanted to be a famous ballerina, but when it came time to buy toe shoes, I decided against it; they hurt too much. Then it was a singer, like Julie Andrews. My parents were teachers, both had PhDs, they encouraged me to pursue more serious paths.

In the sixth grade I was asked if I wanted to take an advanced course in biology with the high school freshman, I loved it. That was just the beginning. I graduated high school at fifteen; the same year we moved to California. My parents enrolled me in advanced studies at UCLA; I received my degree in two and a half years.

At eighteen, I started medical school. I met Tom the year I graduated. We were married three months later."

"Have you always lived here, Robert?"

"We moved here when I was four. My dad was in the Navy, we had been stationed in Philadelphia. My mom was a fourth grade teacher and dad was an architect."

Robert was about to continue when their dinner was served.

Finishing their meal with a second glass of wine, Robert told her, "I loved to make things. I always took all the woodworking classes I could; but my mom made sure I also had enough credits to get into college.

Half way through college, I met Marybeth. After we married, I completed college by going to night school. I worked for a local construction company; I was promoted rapidly; offered a partnership about ten years ago. Five years ago, I bought out the retiring partner; it's now Robert Woodward Construction Company."

Having shared a desert together, Robert escorted Catherine home.

They stood on her porch. Robert took both of her hands in his. "Catherine, I don't want to go a day without being with you. Will you go out with me tomorrow night?"

On Sunday as he was saying goodbye, she asked him. "When are you going to tell your daughters about us?"

"Soon Catherine, soon."

Their kisses were still tender and sweet, but longer and lingering.

"Good night sweetheart, I'll call you in the morning."

Lori knew something was different about her dad; for one thing he was happy; always smiling.

One afternoon, Robert came to the house before Michael got home from school.

"Lori, I need to talk to you."

"Something wrong, Dad," she asked.

"No, actually, everything is just fine." She gave him a confused look.

"Lori, you remember the cabin, where Dr. Howard and I spent Thanksgiving night?"

"Yes?" she answered like a question.

"Well, I bought it."

"You did? Why?"

"I needed a place of my own. I want this house to be yours and Jeff's when ever you two get things worked out between you. I love you and Michael, but I also need my own space."

"I understand Dad, I really do."

"That's not all Lori." Robert told her about meeting Catherine again. "I meant what I told you before, absolutely nothing happened between us that night, except we touched each other's heart. I'd like you to meet her. Have dinner with us tomorrow?"

"Sure Dad, Jeff has Michael for the weekend." She paused, "you've seen her every night, haven't you?"

"Yes, Lori, every night."

"Have fun tonight and tell her I'm looking forward to meeting the woman who has made my dad very happy."

He smiled at her, "I will Lori."

That evening they were going to see the newest movie in town, Mickey Blue Eyes. He picked her up at six.

After a loving kiss, "Catherine, Lori is having dinner with us tomorrow, is that alright?"

"So you told her."

"Yes, she's looking forward to meeting the woman who made her dad very happy."

Tears came to her eyes, she kissed him on the cheek, "her dad has also made me very happy."

Robert knew Romero's was also Lori's favorite restaurant. Marybeth had introduced the family to Italian cooking after he took her to Italy on their tenth wedding anniversary.

After exchanging genuine pleasantries; they drove to the restaurant.

Seated at his favorite booth, Catherine engaged Lori in conversation. Robert took a back seat, just watching and listening; he knew they would become good friends.

"Remember, Lori, I'll never replace your mom. Please tell Jaclyn this, and I'll tell her myself when I meet her. If you ever need anything from me, I will always be there for you."

"Robert, would you like to come in for awhile?"

"You can make us some coffee, to go with the cake I brought home."

"Don't you make coffee, Catherine?"

"No, I only drink it at work."

They sat at the small café set in her kitchen. "Catherine, this kitchen looks brand new; how long have you lived here?"

She knew he was teasing with her. She laughed. "You know I don't cook. I only use it to re-heat things I bring home and maybe an occasional omelet."

"Catherine, I know you're on call this weekend. Would you do some Christmas shopping with me? Oh, by the way, I want you to spend Christmas with us, including Christmas Eve. Will you?"

"I'd love too, that means I need to do some shopping too."

"Call me when you finish at the hospital." He held her and kissed her with more passion than she had felt before. "I better go, I love you, Catherine." With that he opened the door and she watched him drive away.

He loves me, my goodness. And I love him, yes I really love him.