His And Hers

HIS:

It was the priciest French restaurant he’d ever visited. This was his love-statement to her, whispers of romance and elegance. Even the name ‘La Gulue’ radiated a tender French warmth. He whispered it to himself quietly several times, each time with a slightly more robust French accent, occasionally murmuring a passionate, “Je t’aime,” and gesticulating like an Italian lover. He was sure that he could say it as the French say it. A passing waiter stopped and looked at him, and considered calling a doctor, but moved on. He surveyed the restaurant with calm pride. Yes, he was glad that he’d brought her here. The ambience was perfect: dim lights, flickering shadows cast by fragrantly scented table candles, soft French accordion music evoking the Eiffel Tower by night, and ice gently clinking in crystal glasses as age-old French brandy is poured. And, of course, the rich bouquets of delectable French cooking which filled the restaurant. He closed his eyes for a moment and inhaled deeply, nosing the air. He listed garlic, herbs, fresh bread and lobster bisque. Delightful, he thought. He was ready to order. Opening his eyes he saw her holding her hands to her mouth…

HERS:

It was a dump. A cheap-shot, short-order dive. There was nothing French about it, ket alone anything romantic. Even its name, “La Gulue” (The Glutton) made her sick. She wanted to get out. Who was he trying to kid? What was he trying to prove? Did he think she was born yesterday? She couldn’t believe that he’d brought her to this place. The tables were shoddy, the waiters rude, the lights so dim she could barely see, and the table sat directly under a dripping air-conditioning. The cheap, scented candles reeking of sickly-sweet vanilla made the air so thick she gagged. She even caught whiffs of ammonia and the acrid stench of old cooking fat coming from the scullery. She couldn’t eat here. She would not eat here. She looked at him. For some absurd reason, he was sitting with his eyes closed idiotically smiling and waving his hands to his nose. Suddenly, her mouth filled with saliva, she instinctively clutched tightly at her mouth with both helpless hands and, just as he opened his eyes…