We stand on the sidewalk, right outside thePalm’s entrance, sharing a cigarette. It’s a cold December night,the air is crisp and it smells like Christmas. Ryan is jittery, andhas been since we left my apartment. He shakes his hands out andcracks his neck like he’s about to step into a boxing ring.
“What’s wrong with you?” I ask, sucking in adrag. “Not used to wearing so many clothes?”
He glares at me and I laugh.
“That’s not funny.”
“That’s totally funny,” I argue.
He rolls his eyes, “Okay maybe it’s a littlefunny.”
“Seriously, what’s wrong?”
“This whole thing just seems kind of shady.Meeting everyone in your family except your father.”
I shrug, “It is shady. But that’s the way ithas to be. Everyone knows my father and what kind of man heis.”
“I don’t understand how he can be so cruel,”Ryan blows some air into his hands to warm them up.
“Cruel? I don’t know if it’s cruelty thatdrives him. It’s social status. His image. He’s an elitist.”
“What about your image? What if I go in thereand make you look bad?”
“How? Are you going to start tabledancing?”
“Alana-” Ryan gives me aquit foolingaround look.
“They’ll accept you.” I rush the words,“You’re the first guy I’ve ever brought home. They know howimportant you are. If there’s one thing I can say about my uncleJohn, he’s spent his entire life trying to make up for all myfather’s shortcomings.”
I kill my cigarette in the ashtray by thedoor, taking Ryan by the hand I lead him inside. I nod to thesmiling hostess and we make our way to the back of the restaurant.The Palm is an upscale steakhouse known for its impeccable food,celebrity sightings and unique décor. It’s also one of my uncle’sfavorite places to eat. They know him by name.
The dining room is covered in dark red cherrywood; the floor, the side panels and even the booths. The mostintriguing aspect and trademark of the restaurant are the cartoonsand caricatures on the walls. Almost every inch is covered with arecognizable face or a regular diner. It’s a quirky, chicatmosphere, but it’s also warm and inviting and the wait staffalways go out of their way to treat their guests like family.
I spot Emily at a round table in the cornergabbing to Alex, her husband. That sounds so weird to say. Next toher are my uncle John and my aunt Caroline, and two empty seats forRyan and I. As we approach the table, Emily jumps up and nearlytackles me to the ground. She’s wearing a tight pair of jeans withwhite stitching, a white tunic top with sequins and knee-high blackboots. The outfit is hot. I introduce everyone to Ryan, the menshake hands and Emily and my aunt give him a hug and a kiss hello.We all sit down and there is a moment of awkward silence.
The waitress comes over and takes our drinkorders, I’m going with red wine tonight, Ryan gets his usual, aTangueray and tonic. My uncle doesn’t waste any time as thewaitress struts off.
“So Ryan, what is it that you do, son?”
Emily nearly spits out her drink.
I glare at her. We knew this conversation wascoming, so Ryan and I prepared.
“Um, I’m working some odds and ends jobsright now to save money to start a company.”
My uncle nods, his brown eyes sparkling.“What kind of company?”
“Graphic design.”
“That doesn’t sound like there’s muchoverhead.”
“Um, no there isn’t,” Ryan fidgets with thenapkin on his lap. He’s cute when he’s nervous. “But I want to putmy full attention into it, so I’m trying to save enough now so Idon’t have to work any side jobs later.”
The corners of my uncle’s mouth curve up,“That’s a very sound plan.”
“Ah, thank you sir.”
The waitress returns with our drinks and Ryanimmediately takes a huge swig. I can’t believe how nervous heis.