Chapter 21

Norman helped Harry into his new container to move to his new home. He seemed so down after Harry was picked up by his new owner Shane tried to cheer him up. "Norman, with everything going on this last week, I haven't planned anything for try something new Tuesday, why don't you pick a restaurant and we can all go out together tonight."

"There's a Japanese restaurant we haven't tried. One of my cousins went and said it was interesting. They have an outdoor Japanese garden with a great view with tree stump seating."

"That sounds fantastic," Shane said patting him on the back.

Rita looked at Shane shaking her head, "I'm sure Oliver will be thrilled."

"Where is Oliver?" Norman stopped on the way into his lab.

"He went to meet the new floor supervisor," Shane answered. "I think the malfunctioning sorting machine finished the other one off and he retired last week."

Rita and Shane were back working on the Kansas box.

"Shane, don't you think all the changes over the next couple months will involve a lot of opportunities for Oliver to try new things," Rita asked?

"I guess you're right maybe I should back off a bit. I probably should have realized that last night."

"What happened last night?"

"Oh, I suggested that maybe we get a pet as a trial run at parenting."

"I'm not even sure where to start first with that statement. You suggested Oliver O'Toole get a pet," Rita asked shocked?

"Well Harry gave me the idea. Oliver says he wants children, but I thought that was a big jump for him. I thought baby-stepping into parenting might be easier. You know maybe start with a puppy."

Rita leaned against the table laughing. Shane stopped, "I know. He was completely flabbergasted."

"If you wanted to start with baby steps, maybe a fish?"

"He had one as a kid. Joe and Oliver couldn't keep it alive more than a couple months. Evidently there was a very nice memorial service and they never tried again."

"What did Oliver think about the puppy idea?"

"He panicked and spent the rest of the evening distracting me, quite effectively."

"Distracting you?"

Shane gave her a look. "Let's just say you might have been spot on Saturday. I don't know that he is at all concerned where the honeymoon is as long as the first night starts in close proximity to the wedding reception."

Rita laughed.

Oliver returned at that point.

"Oliver, Norman seemed a bit down after Harry left, so we decided to go out tonight to celebrate our last try something new Tuesday. He picked a Japanese restaurant."

"Oh, Happy Day," Oliver said sarcastically. "Wait did I hear correctly, our last try something new Tuesday? Ms. McInerney what occurred to make this the last?"

"Rita pointed out that with all the upcoming events in our lives that you would be experiencing changes in many new areas and that maybe I should let go of our little Tuesday night tradition short lived as it was."

"Well I stand corrected. Rita, it is most definitely a Happy Day."

Shane went back to her desk to look up information for a letter.

Oliver leaned over to Rita on the way to his desk. "From the bottom of my heart and stomach. Thank you!"

"No problem," Rita grinned letting him know she completely understood. "You're on your own with the puppy though," she said under her breath. Oliver chuckled.

Although Oliver initially wasn't thrilled about going, when they arrived the gardens and setting were so beautiful and peaceful it was hard not to relax and enjoy the evening with friends.