The usual Friday night ritual when Pa came home was disrupted. Instead of spending an evening watching their favorite TV shows they were headed to Steak and Ale in Lake Jackson to meet with the Dutchendorphs. Supposedly, according to Mrs. Dutchdendorph, Steak and Ale was neutral territory. Really, Lolly suspected the restaurant had been chosen in hopes that Munch would behave himself in a public place. It was a bad idea and possibly a cruel one. If Munch gave into his anger and caused a scene...well the after shock would not win Pa any votes of confidence. Lolly’s previous assessment that Mrs. Dutchendorph did not have the hots for Pa stood corrected. Only a woman in heat would set up her precious child for public humiliation. All Lolly could do was pray.

When they reached Steak and Ale, Mrs. Dutchendorph’s red VW bug was already in the parking lot. Pa’s hand shook as he reached for the door handle. They would definitely be stopping off to buy cigarettes when this was over. Pa didn’t smoke all the time, just when he was nervous, and he was some nervous. He should be. Anger began to swirl inside of Lolly. She felt like she and Munch were proverbial sitting ducks. No matter how they felt, this thing between Pa and Mrs. Dutchendorph was going to happen, she could feel it deep in her gut.

A light mist was falling outside. Lolly pulled up the hood of her windbreaker. The air was cold and it stung her eyes. Just inside of the dimly lit restaurant, a nervous Mrs. Dutchendorph stood, with a very angry Munch. He didn’t even look at them when they walked in, but Mrs. Dutchendorph sure did. There was a weird mixture of joy and panic in her eyes. This was going to be SO MUCH FUN. A waiter lead them to their booth in the back. Pa and Mrs. Dutchendorph shared one seat, Lolly and Munch were in the other one. Menus were passed out. Lolly was not the least bit hungry. In fact she felt sick.

Three weeks ago when she had been in the very familiar kitchen at the Dutchendorph’s, Pa and Mrs. Dutchendorph had been uneasy. Now, in front of her, Lolly could sense that over their weeks a part, a new bond had formed. There was something about their postures. They seemed to be leaning in toward each other. As for Munch, he had been angry three weeks ago, tonight he was a scrawny volcano about to erupt. Under the table Lolly reached for Munch’s hand. His finger’s laced through hers. His palms were so sweaty. Though she wanted to, she did not dare squeeze his hand for fear he would let go. She needed that hand in hers, to anchor her and to anchor him.

The waiter asked Lolly what she wanted. She wanted to be home. She wanted to not be here. She did NOT want food. “I’ll just have a coke.”

Pa said, “You need to eat something.”

She cut him a look and ordered a baked potato with butter. When Munch was asked for his order, he said, “Depends on who is paying.”

Pa said, “I am.”

Munch’s eyes shot down the menu. He said, “Lobster.” That was the most expensive item on the menu. “Twice baked potato and green beans.”

Neither Pa nor Mrs. Dutchendorph protested.

Munch added, “And a bottle of your finest wine.” He had gone too far now.

The waiter looked at Pa. Pa shook his head. The waiter took the menus and said, “Your order will be ready shortly.”

Mrs. Dutchendorph and Pa tried to make conversation. If Munch weren’t at the table Lolly might make an attempt to engage, but right now she had to let Munch know she had his back. He was the most vulnerable person at the table. He was also the only black person in the restaurant. If he made a scene people would TALK. Usually, Mrs. Dutchendorph was so careful to protect Munch, hell she wouldn’t even let him ride the bus for fear he might be bullied, but here she sat with all the world watching. She was as stupid over Pa as Lolly was over Trevor Long, only she was a grown woman. She should know better. Lolly squeezed Munch’s hand. He squeezed hers back. It was the kindest thing he had done for her all week.

Pa looked at Lolly, like a man drowning. She offered no sympathy. If he hadn’t had to see Mrs. Dutchendorph this afternoon, they would not be sitting here now. This was not a good now. This could be leading to a worse now.

Mrs. Dutchendorph excused herself and went to the restroom. She cast anxious eyes at her son. She should be anxious. Pa watched her leave the table and cross the room. Munch noticed. His grip became a vise on Lolly’s hand and then he let go. He placed his hands on the table, like a gambler showing his cards. In a low voice he said, “My Mama has done lost two men that she loved very much, and if you ain’t serious, then get the hell away from her. Loosing my dad nearly killed her and you know that.”

Wide eyed Pa nodded.

Munch cocked his head ever so slightly. The movement was intimidating and Pa almost flinched. “Don’t be playin’ with my Mama. I need to know, you in for the haul or just messing around?” He slid his hands off the table, but his eyes still held Pa’s.

“I-I-I,” Pa stuttered, “I think your mother is a wonderful person and I would not do anything to hurt her.”

“That is not what I asked.”

“We are just getting to know each other—”

Munch cut him off, “You have known each other for years.”

Pa said, “True, but this is different.” Munch intensified his glare. With hesitation Pa continued, “We are just getting to know each other as people separate from you two. We’ve only known each other at school parties, church functions and stuff like that. I’m not a perfect man, but I am a good man, and I will do right by your mother. If I thought I was bad for her, I would not be here.” Pa was sweating.

For several agonizing moments, Munch considered what Pa said. Finally he said, “We will see.” Under the table, Munch reached for Lolly’s hand.

Mrs. Dutchendorph came back from the restroom. She looked positively green. When she slid into the seat, Munch said, “Me and Trace had words.”

His comment was met by his mother’s stunned silence. Her gaze went from her son to Pa. She waited for Munch to elaborate only he didn't. She did not question him, or Pa but she did say, “Michael, from this point forward, you will not intercept my mail, or listen on my calls. If you do there will be hell to pay. Got it.” Lolly had never heard Mrs. Dutchendorph use this tone before.

Munch rolled his eyes. "I got it. Can we go home now. I'm not hungry and neither is Lolly."

Mrs. Dutchendorph looked at Pa and then said, "No, you ordered Lobster and you are going to eat it.”

The temperature at the table dropped to ice. Defiance filled Munch's eyes. His mother did not talk to him like this. Ever. In a low voice Munch said, "Make me."

In a low tight voice Mrs. Dutchendorph said, "Michael, you are acting like a three year old."

With a jut of his chin, Munch responded, "And you are treating me like one. I want to go home."

The tension at the table was so thick, Lolly felt like she was suffocating. She looked at Pa. He did not know what to do. His face was pale. Lolly said, "Pa, I am not feeling good." This was not a lie. "Could we please go home?"

"Uh, yeah, I think that would be for the best." He said, "I will get our food put in doggie bags." He got up and went to the waiter.

Lolly didn't dare look at Mrs. Dutchendorph. She kept her eyes focused on Pa. He came back to them. He said, "They will bring out our food in a few minutes. Let's free up this table and go wait by the door."

Mrs. Dutchendorph stood up too. Lolly still did not look at her. Munch released her hand, and stood. Feeling positively sick, Lolly stood too. They walked to the front of the restaurant. Eyes followed them. Mrs. Dutchendorph sat down first and Pa sat down beside her. Munch sat as far away from his mother as he could and Lolly sat by him. For the first time she wondered what it had been like for Mrs. Dutchendorph this past week. Lolly thought she had been frozen out, but what Munch was doing to his mom was hard core. The bags of food were brought out and devided.

The front doors of Steak and Ale opened, Trevor Long and his family stepped inside. He and his family were dressed up. Trevor was wearing a yellow shirt with a sky blue tie. His sister, had long red hair and wore a filmy dress. She looked like a piece of work. So did Trevor’s mom. She was impeccably dressed in an autumn gold suit. What surprised Lolly most of all was Trevor’s dad. He was OLD, older than Grandma Toady. He was balding, but he had a comb over. When Trevor saw them, he smiled. As usual, despite everything that was going on, his smile went straight through Lolly. He and Munch fist bumped.

All at once, Lolly felt the stare. The stare always made her feel so small. Her difference had been noticed. Trevor’s mom pulled a long sad face. Great, she thought she was a chemo patient. Mr. Long glanced away from her, and then he cast an appraising eye over Munch’s entire person. He raised and eyebrow, but kept his thoughts to himself. Neither of Trevor's parents spoke. His sister gave Lolly a conspiratorial smirk, but not the stare. Had Trevor told her Lolly did not have cancer? Did she know about the Booster Club art show?

Mrs. Dutchendorph said, “Hello Trevor. Are these your parents?”

“Yes Ma’am.”

Mrs. Dutchendorph then extended her hand, “I’m Dr. Dutchendorph.” Mrs. Dutchendorph only threw out her PHD, in academia and when she was pissed. Apparently, she had seen the stare.

Mr. Long took her hand. His looked skeptical. He had questions, but he did not ask them. He said, “I am Huey Long, and this is my wife.”

The nod Trevor’s mother gave Mrs. Dutchendorph was frosty.

Mr. Long turned away from them and told the hostess, "Table for three, nonsmoking."

To his back, Mrs. Dutchendorph said, “It was so nice to meet you.”

“You too,” said Mr. Long without looking back. Trevor gave them an apologetic smile. He seemed a little embarrassed or maybe a lot.