ladies who lunch

Who: Shoshannah and Elle
When: Sunday Jan. 23, around 4 p.m.
Where: A cafe

Shoshannah was holding out hope that she could pass through this late lunch with Elle without her condition flaring up. She was ready to accept it if she did zone out or, worst of all, fell asleep in the middle of her late lunch with Elle, but she could hope that it wouldn't affect her. So she took her time walking down to the cafe that she and Elle had decided upon the night before. Somewhere Shoshannah had never been, but it was near the theatre and she was always willing to explore a new part of town.

Also, it being more than a few blocks away gave her time to reflect and come down off the 'first day on the job' sort of high she was feeling. She walked with a bright, wide smile as she thought about her day before. She'd never woken up to a more perfect morning than what Angelo had done for her, nor did she expect Benny to be so kind after she completely zoned out on her. In the back of her mind, she hoped that maybe Elle wouldn't think her odd if she did happen to see her condition today.

As she shook off the chill from the slight wind in the city and stepped into the quaint cafe, Shoshannah took a moment to glance around and look for Elle. Not seeing her quite yet, she slipped her jacket off and headed for the nearest two-person table with a street-side view from the large window near it. When a waiter came to ask if she'd like anything, she politely declined and said that she'd wait for her friend to get her, a spark of happiness surging in her at the idea that she was actually going out to lunch with a friend. She didn't get to do this very often and secretly hoped that there would be more times like this coming.

The majority of her morning had been spent at the theatre. While rehearsals normally held her full attention, today they had competition. The actors were reduced to the players they were rather than the characters who transported her elsewhere, the scenery wood and paint and not the makings of a different world. There was a good reason for the real world to be prevalent. Today she was meeting with Shoshannah. It was such a simple thing but her excitement was nearly tangible. The night at the Round had been fun and hitting it off with the other girl was a perfect kind of ending. Seeing Angelo had been fantastic, and meeting Danny was certainly interesting, but Shoshannah was just a little bit different. The possibility of a female friend was something special. Though it reminded her how much she was lacking that companionship. Sam was the sort of person Elle looked up to. She was confident and strong. Two qualities Elle knew she didn't much possess. Cheyenne was a wonderful person and lovely to have as a friend but Elle regarded her as being akin to a star; bright, bold and far away from everyday mundanities. A person of mythic proportions conjured purely in her own imagination.

There was something in Shoshannah she recognised. Something more like herself. Which is why the idea of getting to know the girl better had been met eagerly. Perhaps a touch too eagerly, looking back on it. In a completely selfish way, the whole evening had been an exercise in reassurance. She'd proven to herself that she could go up to people and start talking to them. That the fact she couldn't exactly talk to them didn't have to stand in her way. The book didn't have to matter. None of it had to matter. A cheery little mantra.

Spying Shoshannah through the window, Elle waved at her with two mittened hands, a bright grin on her face. The pale yellow gloves were discarded as she entered, freeing her hands ready to write. She couldn't stop herself giving another, although smaller, wave, still smiling away. She unbuttoned her coat and put it on the back of a chair, shivering for a moment as she did so. As she sat down she retrieved the notebook along with her favourite pen. One with purple ink, and that was just perfect. Good afternoon! she greeted. How are you? I hope you're well. And thank you again for having lunch with me.

Shoshannah returned Elle's wave with one of her own, accompanied by a big smile. She was so lucky to be going from one good event straight into another. When Elle waved once more, Shoshannah couldn't help the small laugh she gave, but she waved back just the same. It looked like Elle was just as excited about their lunch date as she was. Shannah had been mulling over the possibilities nearly all morning and the idea of a real, true, girl friend was something she'd been waiting her whole life to obtain.

She noticed Elle's slight shiver, having had one of her own not too long ago, but watched as she wrote with the most marvelous pen she'd ever seen. Purple ink? How interesting! Angelo would probably love a pen like that, with all different colors of inks available. "Hi!" Shoshannah greeted right back, casting a glance from her down to the book as she wrote away, and noting just how quickly Elle wrote. And with what lovely penmanship too. "I'm great, actually! I had a really wonderful morning. How are you? And I really think I should be thanking you for having lunch with me, especially since it's so late. I'm sorry it had to be at such a late time. I just got off from my first day on the job!" Selfishly, she was pretty proud of herself, especially since the bookstore owner had asked her back for an actual, real job.

Elle shook her head at the late comment, waving it off. It didn't make any difference to her. She was glad to be having lunch with someone instead of going home or wandering through the park. Putting up one finger as if struck by some sudden and inspired thought she wrote, Then let's agree to thank the universe for us meeting. The statement was finished with a profound nod. Although Angelo would have been a more appropriate entity to thank.

Shoshannah got a quick clap and a huge smile to celebrate her work success. That was a truly lovely piece of news. Well done! she congratulated, pleased for the girl. How did it go? Where are you working? She stopped there to avoid bombarding Shannah with too many questions all at once. She was sure that she had done a fabulous job at whatever it was she was doing. Despite her internal resolve to let Shannah reply before adding anything further, she couldn't resist putting, Lunch is on me. We can celebrate with some treats. That was definitely a good way to celebrate.

Elle and Angelo had something very big in common for Shoshannah. She found that she couldn't stop smiling around either one of them. "I think it went well! I had a few customers today and one, Benny, said he'd put in a good word for me with my boss. Mr. Duncan, that's my boss' name, he said I could come back in as a real employee since today was my trial run!" And then, realizing she hadn't fully answered the question, she continued, "Oh! I work at a bookstore near the Drake. It's called Prophet's Pages. You should come by sometime! Did you work today?"

As she scanned the paper again, she saw something that she'd missed the first time. "Oh, Elle, are you sure? You don't have to..." But instead of offering to help pay, a grin spread across Shannah's lips. "Then I get to pay for the next lunch, ok?"

Elle smiled right along with her. It sounded like her assumption had been right. Her first day and compliments from customers already. She felt a sense of pride and pleasure on Shannah's behalf. It seems it went very well! Not only did you get hired but people already think you're a great employee. That's very successful, in my opinion. The name of the store rang a bell. It was one of those places she'd passed every now and then without ever properly venturing inside. Now she definitely would go and browse. She could see Shannah in action and perhaps be another customer to put in a good word. That may have been a little bit like cheating but if it helped, it didn't matter. And no doubt Shannah would genuinely deserve all words of praise.

She nodded at the question. It was a funny day. A prop telephone got misplaced and the actor in the scene got very annoyed. He's very serious and didn't appreciate his craft being interfered with. It sounds quite cruel but he did look silly strutting around all red faced shouting about a telephone. One of the other stagehands managed to find it in the end but I'm starting to suspect that they may have hidden it. The look on her face was an exaggerated show of making a grand deduction.

About to protest, she frowned for a moment then split into a grin. The next lunch. That was very promising. It's a deal, she replied, trying to rein her smile a tad so she didn't seem too ridiculously keen.

"I'm not that great," She protested with a shake of her head. She had completely zoned out three times during the course of her trial day, but luckily the owner hadn't been around when it happened. "But I really liked helping customers when I could, finding them the right books and all that." She didn't want to toot her own horn too much but Shoshannah was unreasonably excited about her new job.

But it was time to focus on Elle now, so she read her story and found herself laughing at the very real image of a man running around on stage, yelling about an imaginary telephone. "These rehearsals, they aren't open to the public, are they? I'd love to see one. When is the show's opening night? I've never actually been to a real play."

As their waiter came up, Shoshannah realized she hadn't even looked at the menu yet. She apologized to the waiter and turned to Elle. "Have you been here before? Got any idea what's good here? I'll try anything." If Elle had any idea what was good to eat her, she'd happily let the girl order for her. She was always willing to try new foods and didn't want Elle to have to wait around for her to pick something.

First of all, Elle just gave her a look. I think you are, she elaborated, not willing to entertain the idea that Shannah would have been anything less. The evidence described spoke for itself, as far as Elle was concerned. I think that's the most important part of the job, helping people. And liking helping people, of course. They say service with a smile goes along way. That she was certain the girl could deliver. Besides, if she wasn't going to toot her own horn, Elle would just have to do it for her.

They aren't usually but I could always ask. I'm sure someone sitting and watching wouldn't be a bother. She paused for a beat then a playful smile crossed her face as she added, Unless you hide telephones. Wide eyes gazed at Shannah, surprised she'd never been to the theatre before. Once she became aware of her expression, she quickly wiped it off her face. She supposed there were lots of people that had never seen a play. There were plenty of people that didn't even like plays. A couple of weeks, she wrote. You should come, you'll love it, I promise. You should bring Angelo, too. It would make a fun date. That may have been an assumption on her part. But at least she didn't write that it would have made for a romantic date.

The waiter was one she recognised, meaning he got a little wave to say hello, and Shoshannah got a nod to answer her question. Its proximity to the theatre made it an ideal place to grab a snack before or a meal after work. She held the menu up to the waiter to point out the order along with one or two fingers to indicate quantity. Two turkey sandwiches with everything. A basket of fries to share. Two sodas. Most importantly, two slices of cheesecake. Hopefully that would be okay. She did cast a quick glance at her lunch companion in case she wanted to amend any of it.

Shoshannah let the subject of the level of her greatness drop, but she was willing to bring up the subject of Elle's greatness. Now to just find a place for it in this heart-warming, but whirlwind, conversation. "Thank you, Elle, but I'm not the only great one here." She smiled again at her before reading the next part of her words.

"If you're sure it won't get you in trouble, I'd really like to come see a rehearsal sometime. Maybe it'd help the actors if there was an audience there?" She shrugged a little since she wasn't really sure what would or wouldn't help actors. Laughing, Shoshannah shook her head. "And I guess I can stop my telephone-hiding for one night." She was caught off guard, though, by Elle's suggestion of going to the theatre as a date. Her eyes were wide at first, but the shock was replaced by an evident blush on her cheeks. "I bet he'd really like a play. He loves stories." Glancing down at her hands on the table, she couldn't keep her smile contained, instead letting it spread across her face. There was something really, really intriguing about the image of her and Angelo sitting in the audience at the theatre Elle worked at. "Maybe I'll ask him?" She suggested, looking back at Elle. She'd never asked someone out on a date before.

"Sounds great," She assured Elle and gave a smile to the waiter as he left to put their order in. It sounded perfect, the perfect friend lunch-date-lunch-food.

Upon hearing the compliment, Elle's gaze met the tabletop. When she met Shannah's eyes again, she shrugged. Thank you she replied out of politeness and offered a small smile in return. It wasn't really true but it was nice to hear, to know that someone thought that.

I'll ask for you. They might welcome it to help the creative process. You could act as critic. Though you may have to be a biased one. The thought briefly crossed her mind that she was aware of someone who might be able to get her into the theatre should they refuse to let Shannah watch. If anyone would know any useful nooks and crannies of the place, she reasoned it would be the girl in the attic. That wasn't the most honest means to the end. Dishonesty, even when small and white, had a way of coming back to haunt you. Thankfully the chatter about Angelo quickly shook her from that train of thought. Watching Shannah, she felt herself smile. I think you should ask him. I'm sure he'll say yes. He likes you. Elle was certain of it, and so felt that her encouragement was well warranted.

It made a refreshing change to be the one doing the ordering. She was used to others being the assertive one, which she was content to let them be. They knew best more often than not. Her smile was partly directed at Shannah, partly to herself. The food's really good here. I like to get breakfast. Their pancakes are delicious.

Shoshannah's smile was smaller, but still genuine, as she judged Elle's expression. She didn't know what she was thinking, but she knew that Shoshannah would be doing her best to drop hints about Elle's greatness into all their conversations from now on.

"Will you? Thank you, Elle! I can be biased if they want me too." She said with a laugh, seeing no harm in telling an actor he did a good job even if he didn't. But it was hard to focus on much else when there was talk of Angelo. Her blush was telling, but she couldn't pass up the opportunity to confide in a friend, especially one of the first real girl friends she had. "I really like him," She admitted. Whenever Shoshannah was around Angelo, things just felt right. "What about you, Elle? Is there someone you really like?" She didn't feel too out of the place asking, if only because that was what girls did, didn't they? Ask each other about the boys they liked. It made sense.

She thanked the waiter when he brought their drinks over along with their sandwiches and fries, happier still to have what looked like a delicious lunch after a long day of the first work she'd ever really done. She carefully cut her sandwich in half, took a bite, and chewed carefully. But all the bright, happy, friendly looks she'd given Elle just moments earlier were lost now in the daze of Shoshannah's condition rearing it's ugly head. Her actions didn't slow; she took a bite of her sandwich and continued to eat, but it was like she was looking straight though Elle and at nothing.

I'll try my very hardest. And that she would. It would be an experience for Shannah and Elle liked the idea of having a friend there watching her work. It could be fascinating, seeing what went on behind the scenes and how it all came together. Hopefully she wouldn't wind up disappointing her. As the subject changed to Angelo she broke into a grin, pleased by the fact that they seemed to be getting along and more than happy to listen. He's a wonderful person, she wrote, nodding. He told wonderful stories and painted wonderful pictures and therefore he was a wonderful person. I think you look good together. Finished scribbling, she held her hands up and laced her fingers together. A statement that they were a good fit. In her view, anyway.

It also gave her a little time to formulate a reply to the question. Uncurling her fingers, she picked up the pen once more. Not really, she told Shannah with a nose wrinkle. I'm looking for someone special. It was true enough. She did want to find someone special. But it was easier to give a casual sort of reply rather than state the obvious; that it could be difficult to meet people, that using the notebook was hardly an equivalent to whispering sweet nothings. Maybe one day.

She picked up the ketchup and put a dollop on her plate ready for the fries. Looking up at Shannah, she did a double take. Maybe she was just enjoying her food or thinking but she didn't seem quite... there. Elle glanced over her shoulder in case there was something there that had drawn attention but there didn't seem to be anything extraordinary. Not only that but Shannah didn't actually appear to be focused on anything. She watched the girl for a minute or two, waiting to see if she snapped out of whatever it was. When she didn't, Elle started to grow concerned. Gently she reached out and touched Shannah's arm, not wanting to startle her while hoping to bring her back to the world.

It took a long moment, but Shoshannah realized that something was touching her arm and it was time for her to pay attention again. She blinked quickly, the focus back in her eyes as she scanned the area and took stock of her surroundings. Oh, good. She was still here with Elle but....the look on Elle's face stirred worry in Shoshannah. "I'm really sorry, Elle...I don't mean to..." She frowned a little more, wondering how to explain. Generally, she simply lied and told someone that she hadn't slept well, but maybe Elle would understand? Not that their conditions were the same or anything, but Shoshannah didn't see a reason to hide this from Elle. Especially not when Elle was being so brave as to put her condition out there in the world for all to see.

"I just...do that sometimes. I also fall asleep sometimes. I don't mean to and I really was trying to pay attention to you, I promise, but...I don't have any control over it." She kept her voice low, a whisper, hoping that as hard as it was to tell someone else about her condition (since she'd only truthfully told Angelo about it outside of her family), that Elle would at least be accepting. "I'm really sorry."

She watched Shannah carefully as the girl started to come round. She seemed to be okay, and that was good. It was somewhat strange, granted, but she was more alarmed and worried about Shannah's well-being than disturbed. Besides, it wasn't as though she was exactly in a position to comment upon people being strange. Her hand pulled back to rest next to the notebook, the fries being abandoned for now. It's okay, she wrote, nodding sincerely. If something was wrong there was certainly no need to apologise for it.

Elle's face was a mixture of understanding and curiosity. Needless to say, she could empathize. She knew all too well what it was like to have to try and explain yourself, to make those apologies and excuses. In an odd way, she felt a sense of relief. She wasn't the only one who wasn't picture perfect, the only one who was forced to wear some of her problems on the outside. It didn't alter her view of Shoshannah one bit or her desire to be her friend. It really is okay. You don't have to be sorry. It's one of those things. Not wanting to seem like she was being dismissive, she gave the girl a small smile.

Shoshannah waited anxiously for Elle to write something and when she had, she was relieved at what was on the notebook. She put down her half a sandwich and reached for Elle's hand, looking the girl right in the eyes. "Thank you, Elle," She said with full sincerity in her voice. It meant so much to know that there were people out there like Angelo and Elle, people who didn't immediately look at her and think 'freak' when her condition decided to act up. "I don't know why it happens. My dad's a doctor and he's never been able to find a reason. You're right, it is just one of those things...but a lot of people think it's weird. I guess it is weird, but I still don't exactly know what happens. I just...can't pay attention sometimes. It's worse when I fall asleep, that's when people really get nervous, so...so if I fall asleep, all you have to do is shake me a little and I'll probably wake up."

Then, in a sudden attempt to lighten the awkard turn this conversation was taking, Shoshannah reached for a french fry and dipped the end of it in Elle's ketchup, taking a bite. "These are really good! We shouldn't let them get cold."

Elle squeezed her hand. The smile widened, wanting to be reassuring. I don't think you're weird. With the words penned she met Shannah's eyes again to try and convey the fact that she genuinely didn't think anything bad of her. Everyone had quirks. Shannah's sweet personality outweighed any strangeness she might have. Friends don't think friends are weird, she added. Again the reassurance that her condition had no bearing on that. It might have been redundant but she felt the need to express it. It also served as a thank you for Shannah's own tolerance towards her own condition and the fact she was willing to carry on a conversation with a notebook. She nodded as Shannah described what to do should she fall asleep, glad for the instruction.

Taking a cue from the other girl, Elle tried one of the fries then pointed to them and did a thumbs up. They might be the best fries in the city. I haven't tried everywhere's fries but one day I will and then I'll make my decision. Or just discover lots of really great fries. She sprinkled salt on a few and gestured for Shannah to sample them.

She squeezed Elle's hand once, an genuinely thankful look in her eyes. She smiled again and it was bright like before. Crisis averted. She'd been having such a wonderful time with Elle that the idea that her new friend was accepting Shoshannah's downfall, no matter what it was, was a relief in itself. "You're right. Friends don't think friends are weird." She repeated with a nod. "And I'm lucky I've found a really understanding friend like you, Elle."

Taking another fry from the plate, Shannah's smile spread into a grin. "I guess you could do that, or we could go on a French Fry tasting journey together? And we can weight the pros and cons of each fry like...Well, I haven't had many french fries in my life, but I suppose we could come up with some sort of criteria, don't you think?"

A gentle pink blush crept into Elle's cheeks. I'm lucky too. You've been really nice to me and I'm really grateful for that. People don't always understand me, either. It's good to meet people who can look past things that some might not. It was as though she'd found something of a kindred spirit in Shoshannah. She was utterly grateful for the amount of common ground they seemed to share. Despite the weight the conversation had gained, it made Elle's heart feel that bit lighter.

Not only that but Shannah was entertaining her silly ideas. Nodding enthusiastically, she helped herself to a few more fries. We could have different categories like crispiness on the outside, fluffiness on the inside, visual appeal, how well they go with condiments. Things like that. Then we could rate them out of five and see which place wins.

Shoshannah reached for her glass of soda, smile still present, and lifted it toward Elle. "Well then, here's to friends who understand." With a little laugh, she nudged her glass closer to Elle, hoping for the little clink of the sound of their glasses coming together in a cheers. Shoshannah felt very much the same way Elle; that she and Elle had many, many things in common. Things that other people just couldn't understand, and she was very grateful for Elle's understanding.

"Yes! And we could make the winner an award once we've tried every place in town. Ask them to display it in their window or something."

Raising her glass in kind, Elle chinked it against Shoshannah's. Already she was thinking of designs for the potential award. That was a great idea. She'd share her own thoughts with Shannah another time, once she'd hit upon the perfect thing. Something inspired. It was in moments like this that the city truly felt like a place of endless possibilities. Like there was something warm out there despite the chill. Her contentedness was reflected in her sunny smile. There would be good days ahead. She was sure of it.