Saturday, September 25-Lunch

On the drive to lunch, Daniel suggested Cheesecake Factory. My mind simultaneously evaluated the facts that 1) we were already planning to go out to eat for a big meal with my parents that evening and 2) this particular Cheesecake Factory was the specific one where we met on our first “date.” Just as quickly as these thoughts occurred to me, I pushed them out of my mind. I didn’t want to figure it out. Again I followed Daniel’s advice: Just go with it.

As we were walking in, Daniel asked about the first time we’d met here over a year before. He wanted to know who I was talking to on the phone when he walked up. I told him that I remembered being on the phone with Diana and that the topic was very important, but I couldn’t recall the topic itself. The hostess led us to a table right away. Before we could sit down, though, Daniel noticed that the same table we’d had on our first date was open. He asked if we could sit at that table instead. THe hostess happily moved us to the requested table.

For all my wondering if Daniel might propose at this lunch, he seemed very normal. The fact that he showed no signs of being nervous or out of character made me laugh at myself mentally. Later, I thought, I’ll have to tell Daniel how I’d wondered all though lunch if he was going to propose. I’d have to tell him how oblivious he’d been to an almost-engaged woman’s mind–taking her to the same restaurant as our first date near the timing he’d said the ring would be ready. Such a man, I concluded.

Our food came; our check came; no ring came. The server took our food to pack it up in to-go boxes. After a minute I saw Daniel look up at someone obviously standing right behind me. He smiled  and thanked the person as they set down a Cheesecake Factory to-go bag on our table. I didn’t even look at who it was because I assumed it was our server with our leftover food. As the mystery person left, though, I noticed that the package inside the bag was too tall and too thin to be our food. As this realization occurred to me, Daniel began talking to me and holding the bag.

“There’s something I want you to have. I’ve had it for a while…”