Anniversary

Ordinarily, Courtney was content to just grab a quick bite, if she was going to eat out. She could get full before finishing the appetizer, and it seemed restaurants had foregone nouvelle cuisine austerity for the trough style of presentation. Worse than that, though, was Courtney's laugh. It was loud, piercing, and had a machine-gun quality to it. Under normal circumstances, it could turn heads and elicit whispers, at a restaurant, particularly a quiet little bistro, she always felt sure to be turned out onto the street. So, it was with some trepidation that she accepted David's invitation to dinner at Belle Lune.

"That's a nice restaurant," she noted when he called her up to inform her.

"The occasion warrants it," he replied.

"What occasion?"

"Hmm hmm," that was the sound he made when he was flashing his "I've got a secret" smile. At two months of dating, it had ceased to be entirely charming, but wasn't yet infuriating. Anyway, Courtney had to admit that his secrets thus far had been worth the wait. She'd dated sweet guys before, but David seemed able to absolutely anticipate what would impress her.

"Alright, when?"

"I'll pick you up at 7:00. Until then, my sweet," and he hung up.

Now, she was nervously sitting across from him. Her fear of making a scene had only increased when she realized that both the maitre d' and the waiter seemed to know David. They'd made light conversation while David picked out a wine, and they both ordered their entrees. When the bottle came, David tasted it with a grave look upon his face. It was so much more serious an expression than Courtney was used to seeing on his face. A laugh escaped her lips. She took a glance around, but it seemed that nobody else had noticed, only the waiter showed anything, a look of disbelief. Courtney blushed, while David, looking satisfied, nodded to the waiter. The wine was poured, and the server disappeared.

"So," ventured Courtney, "You were going to tell me the occasion."

"Of course,” said David, “But first a toast," he raised his glass, "To us. To two people meant to find each other, a love which nothing can stop."

It was a little strong a toast for Courtney's taste. They hadn't been dating that long, and if she toyed with the idea of saying "I love you," she still hadn't gone so far as to voice it. Not even alone to test out the sound of it. Still, the sentiment was sweet, and the mood was romantic. Does anybody ever really remember a toast?

She touched her glass to his.

"To us."

The wine was excellent. The table was fairly secluded, and the restaurant was fairly quiet. Nobody had noticed her laugh before, and with wine coursing through her, she felt maybe she could just relax and enjoy the evening. David gave her one of his dazzling smiles, and a look that made her blush.

"It's hard to believe it's been a year."

"A year? No, we've only been seeing each other a couple of months," Courtney corrected.

"No, no, a year since the accident."

"Accident? You never told me about that, what happened?" she reached out to hold his hand.

"You know, when the car hit you. I felt so bad. It was entirely my fault. And I thought, I'd never see you again to tell you how sorry I was, how that stupid argument was all my fault."

"David, what are you talking about?" she'd pulled her hand back.

"But you came back. I'd thought I'd never see you again, but you came back, and you'd even forgiven me."

"What the hell?"

"I should have known that not even death could keep us apart."

Courtney laughed. It was just too weird, she was scared, nervous. She just let it loose. This time, the other diners noticed, they were staring at them. She didn't mind, at least there'd be witnesses if this got any stranger. David didn't seem to mind either.

"Ahh, that laugh. That's how I knew it was you. Could two women have that same laugh? I heard it and I knew, 'there was my Jessica come back to me.'"

"I'm not Jessica."

"Oh but you are. You laugh the same. You have the same gestures. The same favorite flower. Even in bed, it's like being with the same woman. It is being in bed with the same woman."

"I don't have a favorite flower."

"You said the lilies..."

"When a guy gives you flowers, you just say it's your favorite. I'd have said stink weed is my favorite. And with your technique in bed, I seriously doubt it matters what woman is beneath you."

"Don't say that Jessica!"

"It's Courtney, you fucking psycho," she tossed down the last of her wine, stood up, and stormed away.

David just sat there, watching her go. It was just like the last time he'd seen Jessica. She'd called him a fucking psycho too. He smiled. He could let her go, she'd be back. She'd always be back.

"Everything alright, sir?" asked the waiter.

"You heard it, didn't you?"

"The laugh? Yes, it was uncanny, wasn't it?"

"Well, cancel her entree, if you can."

"Yes sir."