Maggie was still at work when her phone beeped with an incoming message. She wasn't supposed to look at her phone during work hours, but sneaked a peek anyway. It was more of a guideline than a rule.
Happy Birthday! I have a present for u! Let's go out to dinner, just the 4 of us! - Marissa
Marissa was a friend and former coworker who never forgot her birthday. Maggie and Marissa had worked together for ten years before the latter had moved on to another office. The two friends kept in contact and got together for lunch or dinner when they could. Most of the time they would drag their husbands along as well. It was not a burden for the guys as they had become friends as well.
I'd love to, where and when? - Maggie
It's your birthday, you pick, 6pm works for us. - Marissa
Fine, Olive Garden, 6pm. - Maggie
Can't wait cupcake! - Marissa
Meet ya later muffin! - Maggie
The cupcake and muffin reference were an old joke between the two women. Maggie liked to bake treats, and often brought them into work. Years ago, Maggie had brought in some vanilla cupcakes to share with coworkers. The plain cupcakes had nothing on top, which Marissa was quick to point out.
"These are muffins, not cupcakes," she said.
"No, these are cupcakes," Maggie said, "I should know I baked them."
"Cupcakes have something on the top, like frosting or sprinkles. If you don't have the frosting, you're just a plain old muffin," Marissa said.
They argued about it for half a day until they agreed to consult a higher power, the world wide web. Although cupcakes are supposed to be lighter and fluffier, and be sweeter due to the higher sugar content, the deciding factor was in fact, frosting. Marissa started calling Maggie cupcake, and Maggie started calling Marissa muffin.
Maggie texted her husband Roger and told him to get cleaned up; they were going out to dinner with Marissa and Phil. Her husband approved as long as he didn't have to wear a tie. Phil was not a tie kind of guy, so Roger was off the hook this time. The women on the other hand would be dressed to the nines. When you didn't go out very often, you took advantage of every opportunity to dress up.
Maggie got home with enough time for a wardrobe change and a full reset of hair and makeup. Roger was passable in nice jeans and a button-down shirt. She was ready on time and came out of the bedroom and did a full twirl in front of her husband.
"Beautiful as always, but you're early," he said.
"What do you mean I'm early?" she asked, checking the clock.
"You are always fifteen minutes late, if you're on time, they probably won't even recognize you," he smirked.
She swung her purse and he ducked. He knew it was coming, they had been married for years.
Maggie and Roger arrived first, and waited for their friends in the bar. Maggie got a margarita, which sounded great after a long day at work. When it was delivered and she took her first sip, she realized it was a strong pour. She told herself to go slow and not get silly. She hadn't eaten anything since lunch and her stomach was empty. She didn't want to get blotto drunk before her food arrived.
Marissa and Phil arrived as Maggie finished her first drink, and the server led them to their table. It was a four-person table, at the end of a long room. It was not against any walls, and they could sit wherever they wanted. The girls immediately took seats next to each other so they could talk, leaving them men on the far side to do likewise. When the waitress came back to take their food order, she noticed Maggie's empty glass in front of her.
"Would you like another drink from the bar?" the waitress asked.
"I shouldn't," Maggie said, trying to convince herself.
"You should!" Marissa said, "It's your birthday, live a little!"
Bolstered by her friend, Maggie ordered another margarita. Marissa was a good friend and had no intention of letting her friend drink alone. She ordered a long island iced tea, while the men each ordered a beer.
Maggie was hoping the breadsticks would come soon, but the drinks made it back before the hostess did. Marissa made a toast to the birthday girl and they drank. Phil made a toast to her looking so young and they drank. Roger made a toast that his wife got younger looking every year, and they drank.
By the time the food came Maggie was feeling no pain, and trying to keep tabs on her own volume level. Most people had a tell when they got drunk. Maggie's tell was she went to volume ten, and sometimes eleven. She just got louder and louder in her excitement. The women talked about women stuff, and the men talked about men stuff. It was a pleasant and enjoyable evening on the two corners of the table.