SPARKS 8

The waiter brings us the menu and a bottle of very expensive French champagne.
“We didn’t order it” Julie says
“It’s from Mr. Donald, he wishes you happy birthday”
“How sweet… isn’t it the sweetest thing a man can do for you, I mean EVER?” and giggle and waves at him using her fingers only.
“Don’t mind me honey” Gordon says
Tricia laughs, “You don’t even know him, why would he send you a bottle of Taittinger’ looks at the bottle “2000, one of the best years for champagne” checks the wine list “150 pounds! 150 pounds! Oh god! Why would he do it?”
Julie makes a crazy-doctor face “because he saw me walking by his table and felt madly in love with me. I might use him for sex for a while and then just dump him and run away with Gary. Well, I might use him for sex a little longer than a ‘while’. Or ..” and she smirks at me “he’s a smart man and knows I’m on duty. He wants to be nice so I will …”
I kick her leg under the table; she gets it and says “so I will buy more TT records”.
“She’s drunk already, don’t mind her” Gordon add.
“Should we taste this very expensive nectar?” and Julie starts pouring it when she turns pale. “Here he comes” and swallows hard. “I’m about to officially meet one of the fantastic four, the most incredible men on hearth, the finest sons of England”
“Again, don’t mind me” Gordon is just hopeless at this point
“Happy Birthday Julie, I’m Howard”
…..
“Julie?”
“You said my name ….twice”
“Happy birthday, I hope you like French champagne, I didn’t have time to get you a proper present”
“a present … for me?” and giggles
“Julie, enough. Howard thanks for the champagne” I say
“You’re welcome” and looks into my eyes and I’m melting “Bea you look gorgeous”
“Bea va tutto bene? Sembri un po pallida. Vuoi che usciamo a prendere un po’ d’aria?” Antonio asks
“Doesn’t he know we speak English in this country?” he talks about Antonio but keep on looking at me.
“Yes he does, but we always speak Italian to each other”
Howard grunts
“Non posso crederci, esistono ancora uomini cosi? Pensavo si fossero estinti nel mesozoico”
“Anche io”
“What did he say?”
“I said I didn’t know men like you are still around. I really thought you became extinct back in the Mesozoic era. And she agreed with me”
“Really” and he is looking at him now.
“Well, I guess we started off with the wrong foot. So Howard thanks again for the champagne, Julie obviously loved it. I guess your friends are missing you already and we have a party to celebrate”
“Right, maybe it is better. Julie, come to the rehearsing studio, anytime you want. If she doesn’t take you, come by yourself, I’ll have a pass ready for you at the door.”
“..thanks….” can’t stop giggles apparently, she’s all flashed “this is my best birthday ever”
“You’re welcome” takes her hand and kisses it. “You’re the loveliest birthday girl I have ever seen” *He’s a damn pro*
We drink the champagne and order some more wine and food. Conversation goes back to the old days, when I met Julie at a seminar in Paris and we started building our little circle of friends. Still close, after 10 years.
“Do you remember when we decided to go on a road trip to Mexico?” Tricia asks
“Yes! And Julie decided it would be adventurous to ride a public bus to Puerto Escondido and she had to seat close to the old man going to the market selling his chickens!” I add
“Not the chicken story again” moans Julian, “I’ve heard it so many times I feel I should be in your pictures. We need more wine!”
Julie drinks and gives me a playful look “enemy’s approaching, holding a very dangerous weapon, I believe it’s called mobile phone”
Howard walks to her “I’m sorry to bother you again Julie, but there’s someone who would like to wish happy birthday” and hands her the phone. She takes it to her ear and her face changes colors, from red, to purple to green and now it’s zombie white “... thanks .... thanks ... thanks ... sure ...” she gives it back to Howard. “Gary freaking Barlow just wished me happy birthday! I can die happy now, I don’t care. That’s all I ever wanted in life”
“You’re pissing me off love” Gordon says
“You’re my real life love, he’s in my dream world. You have nothing to fear Gordon”. We all laugh and she looks at Howard “thank you so much, it was a lovely thought; I wonder why my best friend didn’t think of it!”
“Because no matter what certain people think of me I’m considerate and really sweet”
“Have a sit, we’re about to make another toast”
I kick her again only she’s drunk too much to keep her big mouth shout “Stop it Bea, I’m wearing a mini-skirt, I’ll be all bruised by the end of the evening.” Howard pretends to not hear. She pours him a glass of white wine and while she hands it to him gets closer and whispers “I’m not stupid, you make a pass at her and I will cut off you little friend down there”
He smiles back “I’m glad you like me”
We make the toast and Howard gets back to his table. She looks at me “See? A sheep in a wolf’s clothing. I can tame any man, no matter how horny they are. My power over them is absolute. I rule!”
After few more drinks I excuse myself and head to the restroom. They are all chatting, Julie is telling Tricia all about her wedding dress and they don’t really mind me.
“It took us forever to find it, by the third shop Bea was ready to jump in front of a bus but when we went into Armani and they showed it to me I knew it was the one” she looks around her “where’s Bea?”
“Pee-stop” Julian says
“Ah ... it’s white, with little flowers on the sleeves …. I’m thinking daisies for the church …you should see the place we booked up in Scotland …” she talks but her mind is wondering on its own and all of the sudden it strikes her. Turns toward Howard’s table, his chair is empty. “Son of a bitch!”