The early summer night's air was heavy with humidity as she walked into the restaurant. She was greeted by the welcomed feeling of the cool conditioned air as she closed the etched-glass paneled door behind her. She turned and joined the queue waiting to be seated.
"Lamont, party of two," she said to the maitre-de. He looked at the reservation book, moving his pen down the list of names. He looked up and gave her a look of confusion.
"I'm sorry, but it seems you are already here," he said with some concern in his voice. "Let me check this out for you," he added before she could voice any opinion. The man, dressed in an exquisite Italian tuxedo, turned and walked into the dining room. Over the din of normal conversation, he asked a couple of busboys to accompany him, in case there were any problems. As he approached the table written in the book, he saw he would not have any trouble.
"Excuse me, sir, but there seems to be mistake with your reservations," he stated to the couple as they smiled and made small talk over some appetizers.
"Pardon me?" the man asked as he looked away from his blonde dinner guest. "I made these reservations myself weeks ago. I'm sure you are mistaken." He was beginning to show signs of agitation: he curtly threw his napkin onto the table, knocking over his water glass, the contents spilling onto his guest.
"Sir, no disrespect to you, but Miss Lamont has arrived," the maitre-de said, his hands in front of him, the two large busboys on either side. "As you may not be aware, Miss Lamont's father owns this establishment," the man said as a wry smile came to his face. He saw the color leave the man's face as the truth was known.
"I'm so sorry," the man offered as an apology but it was a little too late. His guest, a rather buxom woman in her early twenties, glared at him and a coldness was evident.
"Thank you for the fine evening," she said sarcastically, followed by a hard slap to the face. "Don't you ever call me again," she added as she stormed out of the dining room and past the queue.
"That was interesting," Miss Lamont said as the blonde angrily pushed open the doors and walked out. She smiled brightly as she saw the blonde's date, a man she recognized, being escorted out by the maitre-de and two burly busboys.
"Hello, dear," she said as the man walked past her. He stopped and was about to speak, but she interrupted him. "Seems you can't impress the secretaries with MY father's restaurant," she said, the venom of her words striking him directly. "And here is your stupid fucking ring back," she added as she pulled off a small carat diamond ring off her finger and threw it at her. Before he could bend over and get it, the busboys pushed him out the door, the maitre-de picked it up.
"Shall I throw it at him also?" he asked. Miss Lamont sighed heavily and nodded her head.
"No, wait," she said as she grabbed the maitre-de's arm. "Henri, give it to me. I'll use it somehow." He smiled widely and handed it over to her. "This will teach him," she whispered as she slipped the ring into her purse.
"Do you still want your table?" Henri asked, not feeling she might want to eat now that she found her life is now in shambles.
"Yes, maybe that's what I need, to be with others right now," she said, surprising him and the few customers privy to the conversations.
"Very well," the man said as he bowed quickly and headed out to the dining room. "Quickly, quickly, let's get this table ready," he commanded as three busboys came to his aid. They removed the tablecloth, utensils, and glasses from the previous occupants. As they did, Miss Lamont strolled in and sat at her table. The maitre-de, knowing her for several years, held the chair for her and gently guided it in.
"What may I get you?" Henri asked as he helped set the table.
"Yes, I would love a glass of Chablis, please," the woman asked as she was given a menu.
"Very well, Katy," the maitre-de let slip. They both smiled, knowing that it was Henri's custom to call her Miss Lamont in the dinning area, Katy behind the scenes. "I'll be right back." Henri bowed graciously and turned to walk to the bar to place Katy's drink order.
Katy looked over the menu, a menu she helped develop. Though she knew the specials and the other items, she still liked to look it over. When she had decided on a meal, she called over a waitress who took her order and smiled as she walked to the kitchen to place it. Katy smiled as she sipped on her water, knowing she had done something wonderful.
Katy Lamont was a successful restauranteur when she met Kevin Harrison on a hot, stormy night last June. He was handsome, intelligent, and someone she found quite amusing. After a brief but torrid relationship, in November he asked her to marry him. Though she was divorced and had been hurt by many men, she knew in her heart he was different.
"Yes, God Yes," she screamed as he pulled out the diamond ring and placed it on her finger. Now, as she sat in the restaurant, and thought of that night, she has no regrets. She was on her own, she knew she needed no man to make her life complete. She was an independent woman, successful in her ventures, and confident in her attitude. She sat and smiled blankly as she thought of her life, what will come of it.
"Excuse me, Miss Lamont," a familiar voice said. It was Henri. "Here is your wine," he said with a smile as he placed the glass on a napkin. Katy smiled and thanked him. As he turned to walk back to his stand, Henri noticed Katy was in an upbeat mood. He thought it was unusual for her to be, since she just lost her fiancé, but he shook his head and walked without saying a word to her.
* * * * * * * * * *
She sat in her apartment, a single light on, and stared blankly at the opposite wall. The romance novel she was attempting to read slipped from her hand and fell to the floor. As the tears began to fall, the phone rang. Quickly, she collected her thoughts and answered.
"I'll be there in two minutes," the familiar female voice said. It was her best friend, Susan McNicoll.
"Why?" was all Katy could get out before Susan hung up the phone. It was usual for Susan to impulsively visit, but Katy did not want her here tonight. Though she knew she did the right thing by ending the engagement with Kevin Harrison, she still felt some remorse. After all, she did love him. She sighed heavily and began to pick up the clothes from the floor: she came home, stripped, and left the clothes where they fell.
She trudged her way to the bedroom, her arms full of clothing as the doorbell rang, followed by footsteps quickly running up the wooden staircase to the apartment door.
