My Parent's Reconciliation Vacation (excerpt from Proverbial Woman), Part V

Thoughts were beginning to run through her mind uncontrollably. Out from under the strain of her trembling voice she injected, “Honey, you know I don’t care about what people think when I’m trying to express myself. I have to say what I’m feeling right now,” she added, then continuing. “I love you. And I made a big mistake. And I’m willing to do anything to make it up to you and the girls. But you have to give me a chance. I need that. And I need to hear you say that it is going to be okay.”

Standing just inches away from one another with the heaviness of their thoughts seeming as a buffer between them and the chattering of voices of those passing by, in a contemplative nod his eyes fell upon their joined hands as he began searching out the sincerity of her words.

After a few pressing moments he consciously lifted his eyes. As he proceeded to look around in a blurring strain, he once again noticed those passing glancing over at them. Randomly returning looks while trying not to appear nervous, in a persistent tone he asked, “Can we go in now?”

“Yes. Before I embarrass you even more.” She answered as she reached up and thumbed away falling tears from his eyes, before pulling back and wiping away those of her own.

Realizing time slipping away, they quickly turned and stepped down unto the lower level leading into the restaurant’s reception area. At first sight the breathtaking beauty of the room left them in awe. Standing at the door looking around, they both seemed at a lost for words.

The room encompassed three levels. A main floor flanked by several adjoining staircases leading up to upper levels on each side. Adding intrigue and romance to the dining experience, tropical plants outlined the perimeters on each of the two levels. Every ten feet or so stood a palm tree about four and a half to five feet high.

Showcased as a centerpiece. Designed as a base for the crystal vase that displayed a dozen of beautifully prepared Lever Kusen roses. Appeared an over-sized, elaborately formed frosted-crystal bud in full-bloom. Inside of the intricately detailed piece sat six, small soft-burning candles. The illumination of the soft glow presented each table with a timeless aura of intimacy.

“Welcome…will there be dinning for two?” asked the host as he approached them.

“Yes, please. An 8:30 reservation for a party of two, under the name, Romero?”

“Ah…Yes. Mr. and Mrs. Romero. We’ve been expecting you. Everything is the way you requested. Please, right this way…” he added, as he turned and scurried off. 

Swaying in and out of aisles and between tables and chairs and people as they sat dining. As he went before her she nervously followed with a shadowing look of impending danger upon her face. Afraid of losing her balance, she reached up and grabbed hold of his arm.

Now looking around with confidence in every step she took, as they made their way further into the room she started thinking they were placed somewhere near the kitchen. But then suddenly, in one swift movement the host turned and slid behind a chair. As he pulled it toward him, he gestured, “Your table, Mr. and Mrs. Romero.”

Relieved at the sight of their accommodations, suddenly feeling as if she were floating on air, in a ballerina like sway she gracefully glided through the remaining section, before maneuvering her slender frame into her awaiting seat.

Not noticing him tipping the host, her eyes swelled aglow as she marveled at the table with all of its fine settings. Briefly looking everything over in amazement. In an effort of catching her breath, she curiously shifted her eyes around the room. 

Attempting to appear inconspicuous as she glanced over at surrounding tables, she briefly reached down to adjust her shoes on her feet. Checking to see if they were all similar in settings, she suddenly realized there was more to this dining experience than he was letting on.

Their table was definitely different from the others. Everything represented a significant time in their lives. There were things that held historical value.  Some were heirlooms of the Romero family, while others were commemorative items from their wedding day.
The gold-embossed monogram and insignia on the white linen displayed the hotel’s name and the year it was built. Gold-tone tassels hung from the corners of the intricately stitched, ivory colored tablecloth placed on the top of them.