Remember

My parents are in town this week. Tonight was dinner at (where else) Seablue. They just got in today and are still on central time so it's where we normally have our first dinner when they first get to Vegas. Easy in, easy out, great food, excellent service, you know the drill. It was bitter sweet for us though. Mom and dad won't likely be back before they close so I made a silent toast to the 4 of us: me, mom, dad & Seablue. 

Dad mentioned going to Red Rock (the canyon, not the casino) so I think that's on tap for Wednesday. We'll hit Red Rock (the casino, not the canyon) for dinner that night I'm sure. I'm not crazy about any of the restaurants there but it's close to the park and not a bad place so I'm sure it will be fine. Tomorrow we're headed to the M. My parents and I really like it there. It's small, classy, comfortable, great decor, great customer service. We go there every time they visit. We usually hit Anthony's for a steak or Marinelli's for Italian. I'm thinking Bouchon for dinner on Thursday, the last night they're here. I've been there a couple times and loved it. Mom & dad dig French fare so it'll be a hit. We normally go to Mon Ami Gabi, one of my all-time faves but I'm gonna skip it this year. Last time we were there Counselor joined us. Time to create new memories in a new restaurant. I found it odd they didn't ask me about him but they asked me about Big Rod. I think they secretly wish Rodney and I were dating. They love that kid. I don't have the heart to tell them it will never happen. Rodney is great; he's one of my best friends. Just not the guy for me.

Dinner tonight was early so we were done around 8.00p. They know I hate slot machines so they let me off the hook and we said good night. As they walked away I watched the 2 of them. Married for 55+ years. I'm always amazed at how tiny they are now. They shrink a little more every time I see them. I'm not terribly tall myself; 5'6" flat footed, 5'9"-ish with heels. I tower over them now. My father used to be tall. Or maybe I just imagined him tall because I think of him from the perspective a little girl. I still remember watching him shave in the morning before work. He'd lather up his face, then bend down & lather mine. He'd shave a section on his face, then take a wash cloth and wipe off that same section on mine. I couldn't have been more than 4 or 5 years old. I remember the swishing sound when he shook the razor in the water to clean it off. It's funny what you Remember as a kid. I've said it before, I've got amazing parents. No better role models. I'm a very lucky daughter. Lucky indeed.

After Tonight

Tonight I had dinner at Mon Ami Gabi with mom, dad & Counselor. Earlier in the day Counselor laid the groundwork for a no-show. He called and said, "I'm not sure I'm gonna make it." Not surprising or unexpected. All week he had been asking about this dinner but I know him well enough to know when he makes plans it's like when most people say, "How are you?" They really don't mean it or expect you to really tell you how they are. It's a salutation. So I was prepared for him to back out. But low and behold he text me and said he'll be there. I got nervous. Not sure why, but I did. 

My parents and I get to Mon Ami and there's a line even for the restaurant check in. I see Counselor at the bar and he waves. Until I seem him I'm not at all confident he'll actually he there. I'm still in shock he made it. Counselor is known for backing out of things with me. So this was a huge deal - not because my parents were there, they could care less - but because he had already blown me off two other times and I had zero confidence he's actually show up tonight. Pleasantly surprised.

We were seated on the patio. The weather couldn't have been more perfect; it was a gorgeous night. Bellagio fountains in the background. We had escargot, wine, champagne, beer, mom got a margarita and dad & Counselor had beer. None of us ordered fish. We were so full we passed on dessert. The only disappointing thing was Chef Paulie didn't stop by to say hi. When I checked in I asked the hostess to tell Chef Paulie I was there (he told me to). I got the feeling that she wasn't going to so I didn't hold my breath. 

The waiter was obnoxious. It was almost like he was yelling at us and talking down to us like 6th graders. I was far from impressed with him. He also forgot our drink orders a couple times. Come on dude. That’s waiter school 101. 

Dad paid the bill. Counselor made a gallant attempt but there was no question who was paying. My parents aren't multi-millionaires but they are far more equipped to pay for a $500 dinner than I am. We left Mon Ami and I expected Counselor to bolt... but he didn't. I was not only shocked he actually made it to dinner but he made a point to tell my mom he'd see her when we met back up. I wanted a little alone time with Counselor and I think my parents sensed that. (They look like Ward & June Cleaver but they're more in tune with life than you'd expect.) I told my parents we'd meet them in 45 minutes and they obliged. Meanwhile Counselor and I went to grab a drink and talk frankly at the Paris Las Vegas  sportsbook. 

Counselor talked about nothing and everything. I told him about the fireman. He didn't say much. Our conversation was comfortable, like a favorite tee shirt. That's the one thing - even when I'm furious at Counselor - he's good at making up for it. I'd like to say we have that in common.

We met my parents an hour later. Mom and I chatted walking the long walk down the cobblestone path to self parking. Counselor and my dad did the same. 

All four of us rode up the the self-park elevator together. After Tonight I am reminded how lucky I am for having such remarkable parents and lovely friends to introduce them to. It was a surprisingly great night and the perfect end to a fantastic week with mom & dad.

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

I saw Counselor last night. I got a call from his phone around 8.30p. It was actually his friend. They had just finished dinner at Mon Ami Gabi, one of Counselor's favorite places. In fact, it was where he and his ex-wife had their reception. His friend asked me to meet them out for a drink. We hemmed & hawed about a location. I said, "Maybe another night. How about next week." His pal kept at it and we settled on O'Aces. 

I threw on a pair of jeans and headed over. I was a little nervous. I hadn't seen Counselor since our impromptu dinner with J's family, sans J, back in October. And at that dinner we didn't really get a chance to talk because we were with J's daughter and parents. 

It actually ended up being a good night. Instantly it all came back to me how much fun I have with him, how alike (for better or worse) we are. At one point in the night his friend brought up the elephant in the room which is that Counselor and I haven't really spoken in years and that I've been avoiding him. It was true. I admitted it. I was heartbroken. I needed time to get over him. His buddy, already drunk, pulled us both in to hug and eventually kiss. It started with me kissing Counselor on the cheek, then a second one on his lips. I remember they were soft and I could feel his whiskers. A little awkward because his friend was in the middle of us but it felt uncomfortably familiar. 

At another point, and I don't really remember the sequence that all of this took place, his friend kept saying there was tension coming from me. I walked over to Counselor and hugged him to prove I didn't have any bad feelings toward him. He held me tight, rubbed my back and whispered, "I'm sorry Amy." I said, "I'm sorry too." Neither of us were innocent in what happened 5 years ago. I was simply the unlucky one who was in love with him and he didn't feel the same but went thru the motions anyhow. We held each other for a while, my hand resting on his chest. We fit well together. 

I learned a couple things during the 4 hours we spent. Stuff about his life he probably wouldn't love for me to share on a blog so I'll respect his privacy enough to leave it alone. But he's a little out of sorts. Yes, he broke my heart and yes I'm playing with fire by letting him back into my life on any level but I want to see him happy. We went over the full gamut of our dating status. I told him about M, at least parts of it. He told me about the girls he's been with. I think we're finally at a place where we're balanced in how we feel about each other. 

One thing that came up a couple of times was the fact I wasn't drinking or smoking. "I can't believe you're not drinking," his friend kept saying. It clearly bothered them more than me. When I'm out I don't really think about it at all. Now when they were smoking, I kinda wanted one of those. At a couple points in the night I wanted to light one up, not because I physically craved one but because I remember how I liked the feeling of it being in between my fingers. That was hard to stave off, especially when Smoke Gets In Your Eyes from them both smoking. But I didn't. And I'm pretty happy about that.

We ended the night like most. We made plans to go have lunch today at Mon Ami and then go bet the ponies. Of course none of that happened. He never called. I knew he wouldn't. For him making plans is a meaningless salutation like when you see someone and they ask, "How are you?" You really don't care or want to know; it's just something you say. Once I figured that out, I stopped being bitter about him standing me up. 

So I didn't waste a single moment today wondering when he was going to call - I knew he wasn't. Instead I did my 4 miles listening to Chris Botti, Jamie Cullum, Shirley Bassey, Maroon 5 & the Winans on my iShuffle and later took George Bennett for a long walk at the park. It was a great day.