Dinner is Served

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Dinner is Served

I ran into the kitchen to perform some last minute preparations for the night’s joyous festivities. I could smell the inviting aroma of the freshly smoked salmon which I had smothered in a light cabernet sauce and topped with dill to complete the presentation. I must admit that I was quite nervous in regards to the night that lay ahead. I quickly set the table because dinner was to be served in fifteen minutes. I could see the look of anxiety on my face through the reflection of the recently polished silver and stemware. I decided that Ben and Bill would sit across the table from Tim and myself. I knew I was taking a chance inviting the three of them back to my home considering what had happened the last time, but I was in the mood to engage myself into some stimulating conversation. The doorbell rang as I was pouring the last of the Pinot Grigio and my nervousness quickly ceased the moment that I opened the door. I said a little prayer that the night would go smoothly and proceeded to twist the doorknob, opening myself to the world of luddites and fetishists.

Bill Henderson was the first to arrive. He walked into my house with his head held high and placed his cane next to his seat. Bill was in his late 60s and was sure to add his own spice into the dinner party. I asked to take his knee length, brown suede jacket but he looked at me and mumbled, “I think that I can do it myself. You do realize that I can sufficiently run my life without an absurd amount of help that others seem to need.” "I'm sorry." I said. "I just thought it might be easier for me to take it.""That seems to be the only thing that concerns you people these days! Why must everything be so easy? I actually enjoy taking my coat and putting it behind my chair like the good old days."

His breath permeated the smell of aged whiskey throughout the dining room. I led him to his predetermined seat and pushed start on the CD Player. He reached for his glass of wine as Beethoven’s String Quartet in C sharp minor gently entered the room.

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