FULL CIRCLE

Chapter 66

Returning to his room after breakfast, Miles spent a few minuteschecking the internet for the official San Francisco website. It had been quite awhile since he'd actually been many places in the city since his visits home were few and far between. At 8:30 he knocked on Natalie's door.

Natalie was making sure she had everything in her purse when she heard the knock. "Come on in, it's unlocked," she called out.

Miles let himself and sat down at the desk. "Be sure to have comfortable shoes because we may do a lot of walking," he said.

"I figured as much. Just give me a minute and I'll be ready to go," Natalie replied.

"There's no hurry. I need to purchase a map in the gift shop anyway."

"You know it's a little odd, getting to see more of a place than just the hospital or the morgue," she commented as she locked the door behind them both.

"I know what you mean. Usually we're in and out with no time for sightseeing," Miles agreed.

"Might as well enjoy it while we can," she said.

"You know, I'm glad this week is coming to an end so I can get back home."He stepped into the gift shop to look at the selection of maps and city guides. It didn't take him long to find what he wanted and he quickly paid for his purchases.

"So what are we planning on seeing first?" Natalie asked.

"Let's see." He took the map over to a table in the lobby and spread it out. "Ever ride on a cable car, Nat?"

"No. But suddenly it sounds like fun," she answered.

"We can do that and then stop at Fishermans Wharf to look around. Afterwards we can grab lunch at that pizza place I was telling you about. It's near the university I attended," Miles was saying as he consulted the map.

"Whatever you've got in mind is okay with me. I'm just along for the ride," she told him.

He folded up the map and returned it to the bag. "Let's get going then," he said and headed for the parking garage. Once behind the wheel, he looked at the map again and then started the car.

Reaching the part of the city near the hills and cable cars, Miles found a spot in a parking garage and opened the door for Natalie. "Okay, we've got to walk a bit to get to the cable cars but
the view from the top is definitely worth it," he told her.

She grabbed her purse and said, "Just lead the way."

They took the cable car to Fishermans' Wharf and Miles told her, "We can look around as long as we want and then take the cable car back up to where the car is. Then it'll be lunch time."

"Sounds like a plan," she replied.

Miles led the way as they looked in the various shops. He smiled as he watched Natalie purchasing a couple of souvineers including a T-shirt that read "All I got in San Francisco was this lousy T-shirt." She looked over at him and explained, "I might as well have something to remember this trip."

"I thought you had the concert program," he replied and checked his watch. "It's almost 1:00. Ready for lunch?"

"I'm ready," Natalie replied and followed him back to the cable cars.

"Next stop then is Delmonico's Pizzaria," Miles announced as they were on the way back up to the car.

"What university did you attend?" Natalie asked as they got into the car.

"UC San Francisco. I was too young to live in a dorm so I lived at home. My mom usually drove me to classes until I was old enough to drive a car. She didn't trust some of the guys I knew to give me rides. I don't blame her since one of them thought it would be great fun to get the fifteen-year-old freshman drunk. Dad was so mad that he grounded me for a month," Miles answered as he drove toward the pizzaria.

Natalie sat back and listened to Miles as he drove along talking about his university days.

"I used to stop in at Delmonico's quite a lot. They had the greatest veggie and four cheese pizzas. Del's daughter Sarah usually tried to flirt with me," Miles explained as he found an empty space in the parking lot.

The place was not very crowded and and they easily found a seat near the window. A young woman in her late twenties came over to take their orders and stared at the young man, recognizing him. "Miles McCabe?" she asked.

"Hi, Sarah. It's Dr. McCabe now. You still have that veggie and four cheese pizza?" Miles asked.

"For you, Miles, I'll fix anything. If I'd known you'd grow up to be a doctor than I would have waited for you," Sarah replied with a laugh, showing off her wedding ring.

"One medium pizza, Sarah, and a couple of iced teas," Miles told her. He looked over at Natalie. "Is that okay with you?"

"It's fine with me," she replied.

"I'll tell Dad to make a rush on your pizza," Sarah said and headed for the kitchen.

Twenty minutes later Mr. Delmonico brought the pizza out to their table personally. "Sarah said you were in," he said. "It's been quite a long time."

"Yeah, I know. I'm living on the East Coast and working for the NIH now," Miles replied. "In fact I'm only here in San Francisco since I had some free time after finishing up my work here. This is Dr. Natalie Durant, a collague of mine."

"He's giving me the grand tour of San Francisco," Natalie spoke up.

"I'm glad he including this humble establishment in his intinerary," Del said. "Enjoy the pizza."

"Price still the same?" Miles asked.

"For you, Sarah insists that it's no charge. You don't want to argue with a pregnant woman, do you?" Del asked with a wink.

"Not particulary. Tell her congratulations. Her first?" Miles asked.

"Fourth. First two were twins," Del replied and headed back to the kitchen leaving them to enjoy their meal.