Chapter Seven:
Saturday evening came quicker than James expected. He fastened a tie around his neck. He had on his father's suit. "it's nearly time." He whispered. He checked himself one last time. "I hope I don't look too bad." Bronwyn checked in on her son. "you look handsome James." She tucked a handkerchief into his front pocket. He let out a nervous sigh. "I hope things go well." James went downstairs. He grabbed his house keys from the counter. "wish me luck." He walked out of the café. Penny had gotten ready for the evening. She heard a knock at her front door. "the doors' unlocked!" she called. James walked in. "hey you ready to go?" she nodded. She put on her jacket. He took her arm. "so what's the plan?" she asked. "I didn't really think this far." She tapped his hand gently. "how about we head to Newtown? There's plenty of nice places there." She suggested.
James and Penny arrived in Newtown. The street lamps illuminated the walkways nicely. It gave them a relaxed kind of atmosphere. "Fly Me to the Moon" by Frank Sinatra played quietly through the loud speakers. The fountains glistened in the moonlight. Penny pulled her coat around her shoulders. "it's rather nice tonight." James nodded. He squeezed her hand gently. "there's a restaurant just up the road. Did you want to head there or do some window shopping?" Penny thought for a moment. "how about we eat first?" James dipped his head at her. He kept hold of her hand to ensure she wasn't going to get tangled up in the crowd. They waited for the crosswalk light to change before crossing. La Casita is a small Italian restaurant. "a table for two please." Said James. The host looked up at him. "there's going to be about a five to ten-minute wait. We're waiting for a busser to come clean a table off for you guys." She pulled up the restaurant layout on the POS in front of her. "in the meantime, can I get a name please?" she asked. "James Jones." She reached under the host stand and pulled out a small pager. She inputted the number in the system before handing it to him. James and Penny sat down on the bench in the lounge.
The song on the radio in the restaurant changed to "Something Stupid" by Michael Buble' and Reese Wetherspoon. "I love this music." She whispered. James looked at her. "it's just so calming." She closed her eyes leaning against him. James shivering as his skin contacted her body heat through his suit. He noticed that the entire time that they had been together she never let go of his hand once. He blushed madly. He tried his best not to let it show. Their peace was interrupted by the pager in his hand. The circle of lights flashed to indicate that their table was ready. He handed the pager back to the host. She grabbed two menus from the holders on one side of the host stand. She lead them to their table which sat closest to a window. "your server will be with you shortly." She bowed before leaving them be. James pulled out the chair for Penny. She graciously accepted his offer. He then sat down in his chair. Penny began going over the menu. "so many choices." She mused. "I know. It's going to be heard to chose." He sighed. Their server soon appeared. He was a Hispanic male with dark black hair. He smiled warmly at them. "good evening my name is Nick and I'll be your server for the night. Can I start you guys off with a drink or appetitzer." James motioned for Penny to order first. "I'll have tea." Nick wrote hers down. "and what about you sir?" he asked glancing at James. "I'll just have a water." Nick dipped his head. "I'll return shortly with your drinks." Nick put his book back on his belt.
James glanced over the menu again. He pretty much knew what he wanted. He didn't really have much of a taste in Italian food seeing as most of what his mom made was Welsh. Penny put her menu down. "I think I've decided." She settled back in her chair. Her brown eyes locked contact with his. They had a warm look in them. James could tell she was enjoying herself at the moment. James snapped out of his thoughts. Penny observed the rest of their surroundings. "I haven't really been out to a nice place in a long time. Work kind of prevents me from being spoiled from time to time." James adjusted the collar of his shirt. "I'm glad your enjoying yourself so far Penny. I want things to run smoothly for you." He knew he was staring at her again. He was so beyond nervous he didn't know what to do with himself. He loved her and just wanted to make whatever time she had left count. Nick returned with their drinks. "have you guys made your decision yet?" he questioned. James nodded. He waited for Penny to order first. "let's see I'll have Parmesan Crusted Tilapia." Nick nodded and wrote it down. He looked at James. James looked down at the menu again. "Steak Gorgonzola-Alfredo." Nick wrote James' down. He took both of their menus. "okay I'll have that right out. In the meantime, let me get you guys some salad and breadsticks." Nick smiled warmly at them again before heading off into the kitchen.
Penny looked out the window. People walked back and forth in front of the window. "Penny I have a very important question to ask you." James shifted in his chair. "would you ever consider dating someone who was a few years younger than you?" Penny inhaled sharply. "depends on how much of an age difference there is between me and the other person. I wouldn't date a guy much younger than 29 or maybe thirty. I don't have that much of an interest in people way, way young." James digested what she had just said. He knew his chances with her are probably shot. "however I do have a few exceptions to this rule. If they are nice, caring, and take great care of me then who am I to judge how old they are?" She turned her attention back to him. "why do you ask?" James chuckled nervously. "I'm in love with you." She raised an eyebrow lightly at him. A deep hum of amusement welled up in her chest. "now why doesn't that surprise me?" she shook her head. "I had a feeling you did. You're a nice young man James. I would be honored to be your girlfriend." James beamed even brighter. He had a lot of his Uncle's spirit in him. Penny saw his eyes light up.