When William Atherton got home from the investment firm where he worked, he found his wife, Arlene waiting for him. He wasn't sure why she was dressed in a sloppy red man-tailored shirt and jeans, though. He gazed adoringly at his wife who, he believed, got lovelier every day. Her blonde hair had been combed, but not styled, and in the outfit she was wearing, he thought she looked young enough to still be in high school.
"Arlene have you been helping Eileen with the housework again?" he asked, grinning, after he gave his bride of a year a hug and kiss.
William's parents were very wealthy and, a month earlier, had departed for a six-month trip around the world. The trip was a present William's father had given his wife for their fortieth wedding anniversary.
While the elder Athertons were away, William and Arlene were staying in the family mansion. Arlene, who grew up in much more modest surroundings, felt terribly out of place in the huge old house. She had a hard time accepting the fact that they had servants, and William teased her because she often spent her days helping the servants do their chores.
"As a matter of fact, I wasn't today," his wife said, giving him a smug look. "I've been making plans for us to go out to dinner tonight."
"Good," William said. "Where are we going?"
"That's a surprise," Arlene said, her eyes bright. "You need to change so we can go out, darling. I have your clothes upstairs, on our bed."
"Are you going to change, too?" William asked.
His wife gave him a mysterious smile. "I'll be ready when you get back down," she told him.
"All right, I'll be right back," William said. He started up the stairs.
Eileen, the maid, appeared after William had gone upstairs. "What did he say about what you planned, ma'am?" she asked Arlene.
"He doesn't know yet," Arlene told her, giggling. "But I think we're about to find out. He should be walking into the bedroom just about now."
"Honey," William called from the top of the stairs. "Are you sure my clothes are up here? All that's on the bed is a sweatshirt and pair of jeans."
Eileen looked at Arlene and put her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle.
"That's what you're wearing tonight," Arlene called up to her husband. "And there's a new pair of sneakers next to the bed, too. You better put them on, too."
"You must be jesting!" William called back. "I've never owned a pair of jeans, much less a pair of sneakers."
"It's about time you have some, then," Arlene called back. "Most men do. Come on, honey, hurry up and get dressed. I'm hungry."
"Ma'am," Eileen said, "do you have any idea how good you've been for this family? I've been here since Mr. William was a baby. And I can tell you, he's never been happier than he's been since he married you." The maid grinned. "You've even managed to loosen up Mr. William's father, too. Lord knows I never thought I'd live to see that."
"Thank you, Eileen. Having you say that means a lot to me," Arlene said. She gave the maid a hug. "A lot."
"Where are we going that I need to wear an outfit like this?" William asked, as he walked back down the stairs. "There isn't a restaurant in town that will let me in dressed like this."
"That just goes to show what a deprived life you've led," Arlene told her husband. "Ezio's Pizza Palace will let you in dressed like that. Although they might fuss a bit because your jeans aren't ripped or faded."
Her husband frowned. "Ezio's Pizza Palace?" he asked, looking puzzled. "What kind of restaurant is that?"
"The best," his wife told him. She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the door. "Come on, I've been dying for a good pepperoni pizza for weeks and I'm starving."
William wasn't sure about the evening his wife had arranged. He'd never had a pepperoni pizza, or any kind of pizza, for that matter. And he'd never been in a restaurant quite like Ezio's Pizza Palace. It was filled with people dressed like he and Arlene were, and it was noisy. A juke box blared country music, and people were laughing and fooling around. Although it wasn't the kind of restaurant he was used to, William found he did kind of like it. He also liked the pizza. "Arlene, this pizza is delicious!" he exclaimed, picking up his third piece.
"You act like you've never had pizza before," Arlene said.
