Feeling mildly conspiratorial Mrs. Kelly and I were sitting in the kitchen looking over a folder of papers. We were finishing the planning for Sara's birthday party. I determined the guest list and sent invitations a week ago. RSVP's have been coming back, so Paula and I figured about twenty guests. She used her contacts and booked a caterer and was determining a menu.
My major gift to Sara was filling the wine room. The wine was delivered to the production company offices and William and I would move it to the house a few days before the party. I planned to cover the door with wrapping paper and a large bow.
Over the last two weeks I worked on my last episode of Code Women, despite the doctor wanting me to rest. Sitting in an office and looking at a monitor was restful. I completed the edit, consulted with the colorist, and the audio supervisor about the mix. Bret was happy that we were back on schedule despite my bout with the flu. My agent was working overtime and secured me work on another TV show. I was feeling good that I could carry my weight with the house.
My next objective was the physical exam that the doctor ordered. That was scheduled for tomorrow morning. Yesterday I played pincushion and had blood drawn. I remembered I needed to fast. I assumed that I would get the results tomorrow. The first strains of the Beatles "Love is All You Need" erupted from my phone. My new ring tone for Sara. That is what you do when you are sitting around resting. I hit the answer button and put my phone to my ear.
"How are you darling?" asked Sara.
"I am fine, what are you doing?" I replied.
"I just got out of a meeting. If I would have known that being a lawyer would involve meeting with a lot of stupid people, I might not have become one."
"Just remember they pay the bills, darling."
"I hate it when you are right. Tell Paula that she is off the hook for dinner, I am taking you out. We will pick you up in about a half hour," said Sara.
I relayed the message to Paula and went to change clothes. I knew what I was wearing wouldn't pass muster with Her Grace. I was in my dressing room when I opened the drawer that contained two blue boxes. In one box was a small pin in the shape of a wine glass outlined in small diamonds. That was for Paula for passing the wine course and putting up with me while I was sick.
In the other was a diamond bracelet for Sara. The piece just jumped into my hand when I saw it. Sara might give me some static, but I think that it will look great on her wrist. The pendant, earrings, and bracelet would show how powerful Sara is in social situations. I knew how powerful she is, I wanted the world to know it.
I dressed and walked down to the first floor and looked in the great room and wondered if we had enough seating for the birthday party. The light was on in the wine room and the empty racks would bring a sharp comment from Sara. They would be filled soon.
Sara and William walked in and she gave me the once over and pronounced that I was acceptable to be in polite company.
"I love you too darling," I said.
"Paul that goes without saying. Because I have not heard any plans to celebrate my birthday you sir are taking me to "The Seine," she said in response.
"First, I have made plans to celebrate your birthday, you'll have to wait because I want to keep it a surprise. Second, I don't think that we can get to Paris and back in one day," I shot back.
Sara was exasperated "Darling, it is a new restaurant and we are invited to the soft opening, the woman chef is a client, a rising star in the LA scene. And you sir still are not off the hook for my birthday. No blue box and I will let you finish the sentence. Come on Paul you know I am just blowing off steam, I love you."
"Your meeting must have been bad, darling," I said.
"The word is horrid, to the point that I might not meet with the woman again. Come on darling put a coat on so you can get in and let's go," commanded Sara.
I walked up to the room and grabbed my sports jacket and walked back down. Sara leaned over and kissed me. She put her arm around my waist and walked me to the car. Paula would lock the house up when she left. Sara and I were in the back seat of the green Escalade and William took off. Sara proceeded to work me up by rubbing my thigh. She recounted the meeting, with the woman who wanted to sue her ex over missed alimony payments. It finally came out that the ex is in the federal lockup after pleading guilty for money laundering.
"He plead guilty to get away from your client, I think," I said.
"You are funny sir," said Sara.
I got a call from my agent and he has gotten me five episodes of a national TV show. So, I should have enough to cover my part of the tower renovation," I said.
"You're not going to work for Bret any longer?" Sara asked.
"Bret hasn't told anyone if the show was picked up for another season. I can still work for her, but I need to know. She was in my cube when I got the call."
"Darling I don't want to lose a good friend," said Sara as we pulled up to the front of the restaurant.
Apparently, the parking was contracted, and it seemed like a cluster fuck. The valet that approached our car tried to get William to get out of the car and did not see us. William calmly told him that he was not staying. The man got the message and our doors were opened and we were assisted out of the car. William took off. On some occasions Sara will get a table for him so he can keep an eye on us.
We walked in and I almost walked out. For a place that was supposed to emulate the classiness of Paris, the open ceilings and the noise was a turn-off. Large circular ducts for HVAC snaked through the ceiling, and the noise that assaulted us was almost unbearable. Sara leaned in and requested that we stay and see what the cocktails were like. I nodded yes and a waiter approached and took our cocktail order. The first set we sent back because they used vodka. Sara finished her drink and with her hand she indicated that she wanted to leave. I laid down two twenties which I thought would cover the tab and tip and we rose and left.
On the way out a woman approached and asked what we thought. Sara unloaded on her about the noise and the fact that the drinks were wrong. We left, and William was waiting for us at the door. I started to relax when the doors closed, and we were on our way. William pulled up to our favorite place and stopped to let us out.
We were shown to what has become our table the noise level allowed us to carry on a normal conversation. I was glad that Sara was wearing the pendant and earrings I tried to imagine how she would look with the bracelet.
Sara continued to probe asking what we were doing for her birthday. My standard answer was she would have to wait.
"Paul, you know that I have no patience, how many times have you had to talk to me about that."
"you're getting better Sara I can almost take you out in public."
That earned me the dirtiest look I have seen from my wife. "Ok peace, Sara, I'm sorry," I said.
