Richie Being Cool - Not

Michael Roberts stood up and smiled and extended his hand. Nonnie took his hand and pulled him to her giving him a kiss on the cheek, "It’s good to see you Michael, I can’t believe I’m looking up at you now."

"Yes…are you barefoot?"

"No…I’m not…hello Richie."

"Nonnie…don’t I get a kiss too?"

"You haven’t grown…not an inch." But she did move over and let him kiss her briefly on the mouth.. They’d met in the Tavern and now moved over to Andy’s.

"Hiya Nell," Richie greeted their waitress, "Who’s cooking tonight?"

"March is in the kitchen," she led them to a table.

"Oh well then we’re sure to get something good." Nonnie smiled taking her seat.

Richie glanced at her, "You don’t like Andy’s cooking?"

"Of course I do but March puts a different little um twist on things."

"Me I like plain food," Richie countered and sat down.

"Oh really, I thought your favorite was Italian…"

"Oh well it is…Italian-American."

"You’re not likely to get that in Australia are you?" Nonnie accepted a menu, "I think I’ll have a Pinot Noir…I’m not fussy what kind."

"Um…beer for me and a coke for Michael."

Richie picked up the menu again checking the specials. His problem was he’d been over to Jessup’s for a pack of cigarettes and got the lowdown on Nonnie and March meeting up for meals, he even took her a takeaway one evening, all this while he was in Sydney.

"Maybe we should have gone to Coffs for dinner…" he tried.

"Whatever for when this is across the street and the food is excellent…you might try that manicotti, Mike." Nonnie pointed to his menu.

"Oh I don’t know…something different…"

"The special is always different I think that’s what I’ll have…scallops and risotto."

"Yeah I think I’ll have that manicotti," Michael took a drink from his coke. "Gee Dad you like all that stuff."

Nell came back with a bottle of wine for Nonnie, "Compliments of the chef."

"Oh this is his wine, his family makes it…tell him thank you very much," she smiled. "now wasn’t that a nice thing to do," she looked at Richie all smiles.

Michael sipped his coke and looked from one to the other, grinned and shook his head a little.

Later Nonnie went to the ladies and Michael leaned across the table, "You’re going to screw it up Dad."

Richie looked at him a moment, "Oh you’re an expert are ya?"

"No but I see what you’re doing and it’s not going to get you any points. Just be cool."

Richie half grinned and took a long drink from his beer. "Okay…I’m being cool…"

Nonnie saw Lucy speaking with Millie at the end of the hall coming out of the bathroom, "Hey Lucy…" she called, Millie…" She went down to speak with them for a moment before going back to the table.

This is when Richie blew it…when Michael covered his face with his hands and Nonnie looked at him blankly.

"What took you so long…compliments to the chef?"