Part Five - Discovery House - “After 4....1, 2, 3, 4”
Five
Sam and Lisa sat down for their meal. Italian, Bianetti’s, They both ordered a variety of pizza. Pizza was recognisable and safe. Pasta was new to them, their mothers never cooked it and, to avoid any embarrassment, they decided it would be better with something that had a familiarity to it. Lisa was doubtful about Sam’s choice of topping. She didn’t think either of them had ever had a chili and mango topped pizza. There was no denying it, Lisa thought Sam was wonderful, he was charming, a good talker and his choice of clothing labels indicated he was a man of style and money, especially money, and he even had designer creases in his shirt, what a guy. Her dad had never met him but she could tell he didn’t approve. Phrases such as, “It sounds as if the lad has more money than sense,” and, “Where does an eighteen year old get that sort of money,” and, “If that lad lays a hand on you, I’ll personally shove his Calvin Klieg Jacket up the place you need an internal body camera to look at the name tag.” gave it away. Lisa didn’t care, that is what parents do isn’t it? Disapprove?
Sam was getting worried. He’d looked at the prices on the menu, it was far too expensive. He would have been on par with the night’s budget but the taxi to meet Lisa, because he ended up missing his bus, cost four pounds and when he met her, she naturally assumed he was taking her by taxi to the restaurant so he had to fork out for that as well. He was seven pounds down and desperately trying to think of how he could save enough to get into the cinema. Lisa was Sam’s first girlfriend. Sam had told her that there had been more but it was all part of a facade he was building up and hoping not to prove. He’d ordered a chili and mango pizza just to show off as if he had chili and mango pizzas all the time. The perfect gentleman, Sam thought, be the perfect gentleman, be courteous, polite and don’t talk about football all evening. Lisa was definitely impressed with the taxi gesture, and the choice of restaurant and film only added to it. Sam had purchased tickets to see Jayne Austin’s Emma. He really wanted to see the new action film 'Eradicator' but he thought Lisa wouldn’t want to see such violence and so plumped for something more, in his head at least, girl-like.
Lisa was enjoying herself already. Sam’s efforts of not looking too knackered in the taxi had failed as he’d obviously missed the bus, however, the taxi was a more enjoyable way to travel. Sam was courteous, polite and he could talk about football all evening and it wouldn’t bother her. Lisa felt herself fortunate, Sam was popular with the girls and once went out with one of the cast of Coronation Street before they were even on Coronation Street, how amazing was that? The guy was a class above her. His choice of clothing labels was excellent. Apparently, he could afford them because of his dad’s huge business empire in clothing or spiked shoes, she couldn’t really remember what it was, but anyone who ate mango and chilli pizza obviously new what they liked. Lisa was a little unsure about his choice of movie for the evening. She would rather he had picked the new action film ‘Eradicator’ full of bangs and crashes than the new Jayne Austin adaptation, but Sam was adamant in going so she agreed.
The young couple sat patiently waiting for their meal. Lisa’s diet coke had already arrived but Sam declined a drink saying he felt more hungry than thirsty. Lisa pointed out that he had ordered a chili dish and not having a drink was ludicrous. Sam lied and said he would be fine as he eats chili all the time. What he didn’t admit to was cool flavoured tortilla chips do not count as eating chili, and by not having a drink he was saving enough money so at least both of them could get into the film. They sat in silence for a few minutes absently looking at everything and nothing not daring to look into each other’s eyes. Sam finally disturbed the quiet,
“Your dad still doesn’t like me, even though I haven’t met him?”
“He’ll come round,” said Lisa.
“He doesn’t even know what I look like.”
“It is not you he doesn’t like you, it’s what you stand for.”
“Stand for.” Sam looked quizzically at Lisa.
“The expensive clothes, someone at your age having lots of money.” Lisa lifted her arms off the table as the waitress brought the food. Pleasantries were exchanged and they started to eat.
Part five of 'Discovery House' continues here
"I was actually beginning to feel scared with that tense heavy stomach feeling and raised heart rate.”
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