Maybe

32

Lou Kelly.

LOU AND SHERRY arrive at Chez Villesa, in downtown Roanoke, at 7:20 p.m., and find the restaurant completely packed. More than a dozen couples are waiting for tables. Lou glances at the bar and sees it’s even more crowded than the restaurant. He knows the manager, and tries to bribe him, but what can be done when there are no tables at all?

“How long’s the wait?” he asks.

“We’re running an hour wait right now.” He notices the Franklin in Lou’s hand and says, “I can maybe find you something in thirty minutes.”

Lou turns to Sherry. “You want to wait or try somewhere else?”

She thinks a moment.

“Let’s find something quieter, and more romantic.”

Lou smiles. “I agree.”

They exit the restaurant and start heading to Lou’s car.

Suddenly Sherry stops and says, “Maybe I should use the restroom before we go.”

“You sure?”

She says, “I can probably hold it a little longer.”

Lou shrugs. “Better safe than sorry,” he says.

She kisses his cheek, says, “I’ll be right back.”

As Sherry opens the door to the ladies’ room, a young, fit woman walks out. Sherry pees, then pushes the top of the soap dispenser several times and washes her hands. Then she cups her right hand under the faucet, collects some water, puts it in her mouth, and swirls it around, to freshen her breath. Then she spits it into the sink, checks her hair, and exits the restroom.