Some Things Just Aren’t Meant To Be
Published in Baldwin Wallace’s literary journal, The Mill April 2020
David and Beth sat down in the waiting area at Silvestro’s, the place where they go to celebrate or forget. They went when they celebrated their engagement. They went the day after David’s mom passed away. They went after they found out about Beth’s pregnancy.
Silvestro’s is a fine Italian restaurant. Red softly padded seats fill the waiting area where couples and large groups sit while they wait for their tables to open. A bar with a long, laminate, charcoal-gray top completed with a smooth epoxy finish acts as an alternative for those who didn’t want to sit in the waiting area. David and Beth thought about spending their waiting time at the bar, but a large group with a baby flooded the space.
When the time came, David and Beth followed the hostess to their table, careful not to slip on the polished tile.
“Here you go,” the hostess said. “Your server will be right with you.”
“Thank you,” David said. David and Beth took their seats. Each studied their menu like it was the first time they’d been there. Not too long after they sat, their server came.
“Hello,” the server said. His smile stretched his face. “My name is Dominic. I will be your server tonight. Tonight’s specials are the Mushroom Risotto, the Osso Buco Alla Milanese, or the Cavatelli with andouille, peppers, and tomatoes. Can I start you two off with a drink?”
“I’ll take a whiskey sour, please,” said David.
“Absolutely. And you ma’am?”
“Water’s fine.”
“Water? That’s it?”
“Yes, David. That’s it.”
“You know you can drink now, right?”
“I’m not stupid, David.”
“I know, I know. I didn’t say you were. I just thought a drink might do you some good.”
“I’m fine.”
“Not a glass of wine? A martini?”
“No, David.”
“Are you sure?”
“Water,” she said to Dominic. “Please.”
“Absolutely. I’ll be right back with those.”
“I didn’t mean to upset you,” David said when Dominic left.
“I know you didn’t.” Her eyes shifted back to her menu.
They both flipped the pages of their menus like a book. “Any ideas about what you’re going to get?” asked David.
“Nope.”
“Does anything sound good to you?”
“Not particularly.”
“Is something the matter?”
“No.”
“Are you sure? You seem down.”
She smacked the menu on the table and leaned back in her chair. “Of course, I’m down, David. Why wouldn’t I be? All that we’ve gone through and then you bring me here. I didn’t even want to come here in the first place.”
“What did you want?”
“I didn’t want this.”
“Beth, you can’t beat yourself up. There is nothing you or I or anyone can do about it. It happened. It’s over. I know it’s hard for you to move on. It’s hard for me to move on too. But you’ve got to try.”
Beth leaned towards David with her breasts pressed against the table. “I am trying, David. I am trying.”
“Here is your whiskey sour, sir. And ma’am here is your water.”
“Thank you.” David grabs the drink from Dominic’s hand. Beth gave a half-smile and waited for Dominic to set her glass in front of her.
“Are you two ready to place an order, or would you still like a few more minutes?”
“Know what you want, Beth?” She picked the menu back off the table. She said nothing. “Give us a few more minutes, please.”
“Of course.”
David and Beth looked back at their menus until they both decided what they wanted. David went with Penne Pasta. Beth ordered Chicken Parmesan.
“You always get that,” David said. “Why didn’t you try something new?”
“I didn’t feel like it. I know what I like, so why wouldn’t I just get that?”
“Beth. Please.”
“Please, what, David?” She tilted her head to the side. She threw up her hands. “Do you just want me to forget everything? Do you want me to pretend it never happened and to move on? ‘The sun comes out tomorrow.’ That’s what you always say, David. If only it were as easy for me as it is for you.”
“I’m hurt, too, Beth.” David folded his hands and sat still. “Do you think I’m not?”
“You certainly aren’t acting like it.” Beth heard the baby start to wail. She broke eye contact from David and looked towards the family.
“I wanted this just as bad as you did. When you told me when you first found out, I was so happy, Beth. So happy. We thought we finally beat the odds. I’m crushed like you are. I’m broken. But there is nothing we can do. Nothing.”
“We had it, David. We tried so hard, and we finally had it. And then it was just gone.”
Dominic came out with their dinners, the food still letting out a thin stream of steam that disappeared the higher it went. Thick layers of red sauce swarmed their plates like the aftermath of a volcano.
“Here’s your Penne Pasta, sir. And the Chicken Parmesan for the lady. Is there anything else I could get for you?”
“Another whiskey sour. And keep them coming.”
“Certainly. I will bring back some more water as well.”
“I mean,” David started. He avoided eye contact with Beth, worried about how she would respond. “There might be something we could do.”
“What’s that?”
“We could always try again,” David said. Beth looked away for a moment.
“Do you really think that is going to work?” Beth’s arms went limp and rocked in the open air. “The doctor said this time was damn near a miracle. Even after spending all that money.”
“Just think—”
“I’ve been thinking about it.” She pounded her fist on the table. “There is no way it’s going to work.”
“Don’t you think it’s worth it to keep trying?”
“Some things just aren’t meant to be. This is one of those.” She violently tapped her fingers along the side of her head. “What aren’t you getting about that?”
“Hi, folks,” Dominic interrupted. “I see you are all done with your food,” he said, looking at David. “I can take that plate from you. And would you like a box for yours?”
“Yes, please,” Beth said.
“Great. And can I offer you any dessert?”
“No, thanks,” said David. “We’ll just take the check.”
“Of course. I will be right back with that.”
“I think I’m going to use the restroom before we leave. I’ll be right back.”
“O.K.,” Beth said. David got up from his chair. The chair legs slid across the floor.
“Hey Beth?” he called out with his back turned to her.
“Yes?”
David turned his neck to look at her. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” she said with a smile that disappeared just as fast as it came. David walked to the bathroom. Beth looked over at the family with the baby. They got up to leave. She watched the family put the baby in its stroller and wheel out the front door.