Jose perused his letters and parcels from the post office. In his hands was a letter from Grand Maître'. The letter said that the Grande Maître had picked him to spearhead the talent search scout crew. Other letters were calendars of events by renowned studios. Suddenly, art studios had recognized his work and were asking him to partner with them.
When he read through Grand Maître's letter, he learned that Grand Maître had requested from his collection's specific artwork. He had commented that his work was double "A" and could be improved further. He needed this artwork urgently. José read these letters over and over until he could recite them off the head. He was, however, completely befuddled by Sony's behavior. He remembered very well that Ellaisaire had told him that they had not met. Yet the mails came. How did Sony sneak in the mails? Why did Winter call on them at late hours? What was Ellaisaire hiding from him? Had he not promised to reward Sony? Where was he?
Jose took just enough time to turn these things over in his mind. He then set aside issues that could wait from those that could be delegated and those that had no value. He also allocated funds for purchases and payments to be done. When he was through, he booked his wife for a lunchtime date.
With this schedule on paper, he left his house, and by 12:45 pm he was at Ellaisaire's workplace. Ellaisaire was astonished to see him.
She asked, "What's the matter, my dear?"
He answered, "After a hectic week, I want to treat you."
Ellaisaire asked Jose, "Did you say you want to treat me today?"
He answered, "Yes my dear, you can name any place you would have us go for lunch."
She said, "This reminds me of those days when we first met" she added, "Exactly what do you have in mind?"
He said, "There isn't much time, Let's go."
Ellaisaire delegated a few tasks just in case she might delay in coming back and also as a matter of courtesy. Taking note of the wicked fiendish smile on the Administrator's face, she turned off her mobile phone and followed her husband to some restaurant nearby.
They were lucky to find seats at a table overlooking the street. Without wasting time, Jose produced the piece of paper he had sketched his action plan.
He said, "Ellaisaire, I now have a second chance to prove to the world what I am made of." He continued, "The plans I have for the two of us and our child are a testimony of my commitment to you."
Ellaisaire marveled. Things had changed in a short time. Lady fortune was here. That is what her husband was saying. Soon she would own a car, move to a cleaner and greener neighborhood. She was going to be a partner in a family business. In short, things looked up; there could never be better days. She had no idea that their son's insurance policy had accumulated so much money. From today onwards, her workmates would call her boss because she had money. For what purpose would she have them call her boss when she was struggling to make ends meet?
She was still dazzled when Jose mentioned bringing their son home to take him to a better school.
She said, "Our son is still at lower primary. Let us transfer him to the fourth grade. Moreover, we are in the middle of the term."
Jose said, "A good academic foundation is what he needs."
Finding this an opportune time to change the topic, Ellaisaire said, "I found a key tag which appeared to have detached from the key" she asked, "Do you have a key whose key tag is missing?"
Jose answered, "No, but I was coming to that" he added quickly, "I haven't seen Sony for the last two days or so. Have you any idea of his whereabouts?" He asked.
She answered with a curt "No"
He continued, "I have a feeling Winter is trying to stop him from coming over to our house" he added, "I have plenty of work and I would like him to lend a helping hand."
When the waiter came to their table, he cleared Jose's side of the table but left Ellaisaire's. She looked puzzled; Jose noticed this and promptly gave some explanation.
He said, "For as long as your knife and fork lie side by side the way to have put them, the waiter will not touch them."
He added, "Did you not notice how I placed my cutlery?"
She answered in the negative.
During their days of courtship, Jose had from time to time brought to her attention, various matters of etiquette. He strongly believed that if they observed these minute details, someday they would reap abundantly. And today, he felt like he wanted to remind her that he had acquired some class and the lessons he had taught her were intended for times such as today. But now something bothered him. The lady, whom he loved, did not seem to have learned anything. He was reminded of the day he found her sleeping on the couch. That he had found the washroom messy. That she was not bothered to shut her door thereby compromising her safety and the security of her house.
And here she was, looking green as green could be in a restaurant! Something must be wrong he concluded.
When he saw her look at her watch, he made an informed guess that it was time to go.
He said, "Darling, the time has run out on us" adding quickly "about the key and the name tag, some of my very valuable pieces of art are locked in at the safe box in town. Grand Maître greatly values them."
Jose wondered if this meeting met his expectation. His wife was not the same beautiful girl he had met in their romantic youthful days. He was in doubt that other meetings such as this could have different outcomes.
Out of sincerity, he asked, "Darling, are you okay? You are not yourself today."
She answered, "I am okay. The lunch date is good."
Nothing more.
Jose said that he enjoyed the lunch date as much though there was unfinished business. As he laid down his money, he remembered that the least that was expected of him for a tip was fifteen percent of the total bill. So, he made a rounded-off figure to include his expense and passed on the money to the waiter. As this couple walked out of the restaurant, one thing was clear, the distance between them was widening. He bade her farewell.