Chapter 8

After they had finished eating, Cassie decided that she wanted to go to the new Antiques and Collectibles store that had recently opened up there in the mall. She hadn't been there yet. So they went there and looked around a little. Cassie noticed a golden bird statue which Carter identified as a Garuda.

Cassie: "What's a Garuda?"

Carter: "A mythological Hindu bird of life."

Cassie: "And why do you know this?"

Carter: "I read it somewhere."

They browsed in the Antiques store some more and then they visited a few other stores in the mall. They hung out at the mall until it was almost closing time. By this time, they were both starting to get hungry again.

Cassie: "Remember you promised to buy me dinner anywhere I wanted?"

Carter: "Vaguely."

Cassie: "I want to go to Tuscany for dinner."

Carter: "As you wish."

When Cassie and Carter arrive at Tuscany, they are greeted by Maggie Horton. She starts to seat them at a table for two.

Cassie: "Can we have a booth instead?"

Maggie: "Sure, darling."

Maggie escorts them to a booth in the far right corner of the restaurant.

Cassie sits down first and slides over so Carter can sit down.

Cassie: "How is Mickey doing?"

Maggie: "He's doing much better. Now that he's recovered from the effects of that drug Bonnie Lockhart was giving him."

Maggie hands them two menus and says that a waitress will come by in a few minutes to take their orders. Maggie leaves.

Cassie looks to her right and sees Phlip and Jan Kiriakis seated at a table on the other side of the room.

Cassie: "I can't believe Philip is with her."

Carter: "Well, she is his sister."

Cassie: "Yeah. What a shock that was. But she tried to kill their father."

Carter: "Victor blames Nicole for that. Says she manipulated Jan. Maybe Philip agrees."

A waitress arrives and takes their order. A few minutes later, she brings their drinks and says their food will be ready soon.

Cassie: "It's lucky for Shawn that he recovered his memory and broke up with Jan before they had sex."

Carter: "You know, I had seen TV shows where someone who's suffering from amnesia gets hit in the head and suddenly recovers their memory."

Cassie: "Is that why you hit Shawn?"

Carter: "No. I hit him because he was being a jerk."

Cassie: "I heard about that."

Carter: "I bet he's never been so glad to get hit in his life."

Cassie: "Shawn really owes you. Especially since he and Belle got back together after that. They're engaged now."

A short time later, their food arrives. After they finish their meals, Carter pays the bill and they leave.