Title: Now Serving #48
Chapter Completed: September 27, 2003
“She’s twenty-eight,” Lewis spilled across the kitchen table, careful to keep his voice down.
“I donno whether to congratulate or condemn you for robbing the cradle,” Oswald laughed.
“Shh. She’s just in the other room,” his best friend warned. He had become apprehensive around the girl now. Nervous even after that, one sided, kiss.
“Why worry about it, you only have to be married for a year,” he shrugged, really not understanding why his friend was so rattled. Typically the option of marrying a younger woman was pursued.
Lewis shrugged, frustrated with his own confusion as he pushed off from the table. He had spent the last ten years convinced that he would never be married, and end up spending the rest of his life alone, but now he was faced with that very event – but he did remember that it was just an arrangement. But she had kissed him – only in thanks. And was ten years younger then him. And it wasn’t like he liked her, did he? He thought he did.
“Buddy?” Oswald was standing beside him now, concern reading in his voice over his friends confused face. “You okay?” he patted his shoulder, startling him awake.
“Huh?” Lewis really hadn’t noticed Oswald move.
“You okay?” he asked again. Lewis was standing slack-jawed, pouring an over flowing glass of juice.
But before the lanky janitor could reply Arianna came in, still in her pyjamas, and yawned.
She smiled shyly as she noticed Lewis notice her. But that faded as he muttered something quickly about work and left, pulling his jacket over Star Trek pyjamas.
The confused bride turned to Oswald, getting his usual shrug in reply. She’d have to talk to someone a little less dim.
X x X x X
Kellie had pulled herself together enough and decided on visiting Drew at work. It was the best way to avoid wedding talk, and maybe even confess her feelings. But even she doubted the last part.
“Hey Drew,” she plastered on a big smile, “I came to take you to lunch.”
“Aw Kellie, that’s sweet,” he began as he rose to his from his seat, “But I just got back from lunch with Lily.”
The barmaid’s face fell.
Seeing this, he continued, “But you know me, I can always eat more,” he patted his stomach.
She laughed at the sweet gesture – but it was bitter. “No, that’s fine. Maybe I’ll catch you over the next three days,” she began backing away from him. Mainly to escape her embarrassment, but instead landed into more – backing into Lily.
“Kellie,” the Southern Belle cried happily, clasping her hands around the other woman’s arm, “I’ve been lookin’ for you.” She drawled on.
“Great,” Kellie faked a bright smile through her nasal voice.
The on blonde pulled the other aside, an excited glint in her eyes. The other seemed clouded and even annoyed.
“I wanted to ask you something,” Lily began, almost nervous. “Since none of my family or friends can come to the wedding, and it’ll mean so much to Drew.”
Her rambling was not lost on Kellie, who couldn’t hold back her exasperated sigh.
“I want you to be my maid on honour,” the little Southern woman blurted out in one quick smile.
“I…I…ah, what?” Kellie stumbled and stuttered over her words. Completely dumbfounded by the request, “Why me?”
“It’ll mean so much to Drew…and to me,” the other woman pleaded with sappy eyes, full of sincerity.
The heartfelt display made Kellie melt. Her brow creased and lips twisted into a pouted smile – how could she say no? Against all her better judgement, she said yes. Maybe it would help her get over her little crush on Drew and help her move on. You never know.
Lily squeaked and pulled her new friend into a hug, “It’ll be wonderful,” she purred. “Now we’ve got to get you a dress,” she began pulling the barmaid toward the door.
“Great,” Kellie whined.
Drew smiled to himself. It was good to have the two women in his life getting alone. The two women he loved. He dropped back into his chair, dropping his head into his hands. Why could nothing be simple?
“Drew?” a soft hand landed on his shoulder.
He turned around to face who it was, “You’d think I’d be happy to have this many women see me today.” He quipped when he spotted Arianna, another woman who had come originally to marry him, who just looked confused. “Sorry,” he smiled and rose, “What can I do for you?”
“It’s about Lewis,” she sighed.
“Listen, I know he’s a little weird. Strange even, as he goes on about alien conspiracy theories and spout serial killer facts over dinner, but he’s a good guy. As freaky janitors go…and anyway you promised to marry him. And it’s for you…” he rambled.
“I know,” the girl smiled, “I know all that.”
“Then…what?” the portly male was confused now, eyeing her up. If it wasn’t Lewis’ stranger habits, then what was it?
She bit her lip nervously, “I think I love him,” her eyebrows rose and she shrugged, “in the least I like him a whole lot.”
Drew had a blank, dumbstruck expression come over his face. Shaking his head, he laughed, “I could have sworn you just said you…loved Lewis.”
The girl nodded.
“Tall, lanky guy,” he expressed the general shape with his hands, “really weird.”
Again Arianna nodded, only more certain, “I love Lewis,” she said it like the realisation just struck her.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” he leaned against the table, chuckling to himself. This surely had to be a sign of the Armageddon. Someone, freely, admitting to being in love with Lewis Kiniski. Even his family didn’t do that. And to think she looked almost normal before.
“I need your help,” she broke into his thoughts.
Drew shrugged with a nod, like that was an obvious statement.
“I need to convince him. Prove that its more then the whole marriage thing,” she waved her hand like waving off marriage itself as unimportant. “Find out if I should even bother…Please Drew,” she pleaded with him, clasping onto his arm, “Please!”
“Okay…okay,” he plied the girl off of him, “I’ll think of something…” He really didn’t know how to convince a paranoid janitor of anything.
“Thank you!” she squealed, kissing his cheek.
“What’s this pig, your mail order bride finally come in?” Mimi quipped over the sign of affection. “You know there’s less degrading ways to get money,” she addressed the girl.
“I’m not with Drew,” Arianna pulled back, “I’m marrying Lewis,” she smiled.
Mimi’s face dropped. She quickly pulled the girl close, comforting her, “I don’t know what they have on you, but there’s other ways. Have you given any thought to suicide? Going underground?”
Arianna pulled away, “I’ll be sure to keep that all in mind,” she looked at the multi-coloured office worker like she was crazy and dangerous. “We’ll talk later,” she said goodbye to Drew and lest, weary of the clown.
“Is she really marrying that freak-show?” Mimi questioned in disbelief.
“Yupe,” Drew replied quickly.
Shaking her head she continued, “That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Stranger things have happened,” he faced her, “You reproduced.” He smiled, happily bobbing his head at his zinger.
“Bite me doughboy!” Mimi huffed and stormed off.
In her haste she stormed right into Lewis.
“What’s the matter you wander off from the rest of the circus?” he deadpanned, causing her to huff again.
Shrugging he sauntered over to his friend, “Hey Drew.”
“Lewis,” Drew’s greeting was slightly nervous, “You just missed Arianna.”
“Good,” the tall man slouched.
Needless to say, the office worker was surprised, “What’s the matter, she getting to you with all her girlie things?” Avoiding his friend, he walked over to the coffee-station.
Following Lewis was quick to defend, “Naw. She’s great. Really smart, funny, interesting…” he sort of glazed over.
“But?” Drew was curious as to what he was getting at – since he knew the other side.
“She only likes me for the whole helping marriage thing,” defeated he slumped into a chair.
“Why would you say that?” Drew, with his coffee, took the seat opposite him. Setting the scene like a pair of old hens.
He just glared at him for a beat, like the answer to that was obvious. I don’t want pity sex. It’s not like I have anything against it. If it’s sex I’m game – anyway I can get it. But…”
“You like her!” Drew’s eyes lit up with the realisation, and a little laugh.
Lewis dropped his head, misreading his friend’s mirth as teasing. And why shouldn’t he? Of course it was stupid to have a crush on her, this was a business arraignment, or whatever.
“No…buddy,” Drew tried to clarify, but couldn’t stop his giggles.
Rising from his seat, determined, “No, you’re right. This is stupid…Thanks Drew.” Giving a tight smile, Lewis left.
“Damn,” Drew dropped his head to the table.
