Run Mark Run!

There was a Friendly’s restaurant a little over a mile from our first house.  One night the temperature was perfect for a walk and Mark and I set out after work for a stroll.  We were holding hands and laughing and enjoying ourselves quite nicely.  There was nobody happier!  Mark had a fabulous idea to go out to dinner while we were walking!  Friendly’s sounded like a perfect place to enjoy a meal and of course some ice cream too.  We waited for a table and finally settled in at our little booth.  The place was packed with people eating and people standing waiting for a table.  At dinner, our conversation and laughing and fun visit together continued.  We stayed a long time and I know people were wishing we would leave so they could have our table, but we didn’t want the time to end.  The waitress came over and asked if there was anything else she could get us for the third time and Mark finally said “no, thank you, just the check.”  The waitress put the check down and walked away.  All of a sudden, our little romantic visit was about to take a turn.  Mark reached behind him to get his wallet and he had a look of panic on his face.  He leaned in and whispered to me “I don’t have my wallet.” 

What?  Who doesn’t have their wallet when you’re a guy.  I thought men slept with that thing in their pocket all the time!  I have never, not ever, seen my father without his wallet!  Who is this guy?? 

I was hoping Mark was joking because he has a way of doing that, but he wasn’t.  I leaned in and whispered, “you have to go home and get it.”  And he said “ok, I will, you stay here and I will be right back!” 

Right back?  Mark’s feet turned out when he walked.  I have never seen him walk quickly or run except for the time my mother wanted to kill him for bringing me home so late. 

 I said, “You run!” through clenched teeth.  I was so embarrassed.

So I sat.  And waited and waited and waited. 

The waitress came over and asked if everything was ok.  I said, “he will be right back.”  And I ordered a soda.  And then I waited and waited.  I began to wonder if Mark forgot he had to come back to get me or if it was just a ploy on his part to leave me there and walk away.  I wasn’t getting happier, that’s for sure.

Finally, Mark showed up and had the sense to bring the getaway vehicle this time.  He pulled out the EXACT amount of money for the bill and my mouth dropped.  I said “I ordered a soda too while you were gone.”

And he said “well that’s just great because I only brought the $8.38 (or something like that) for our meal. 

My heart started to pound and I was so afraid.  The waitress came over and I blurted out the whole thing.  He forgot his wallet, went home and got the money, I ordered a soda, he didn’t bring enough, etc. etc. etc.  I begged her mercy and asked if we could go home and get more money.  Mark started to laugh like the funniest joke in the world was just told.  He pulled out a $20 bill and said, “I have enough money, I was just kidding.”    NOT FUNNY, Mark Searle!!  Not funny at all!!