It was true that the women seemed ancient, and Rachel honked her horn. They did not react to the honk, did not smile or acknowledge that Jake was flashing a peace sign.
Rachel turned onto a street that led to a parking lot, the lights just flickering on, as the sun had nearly set.
She parked in front of a restaurant that was built out over the river. The Mustard Seed, “Fine Asian Cuisine.” Jake had an egg roll once, but it had come out of a microwavable box.
Again, Rachel took his hand and led him into the foyer. They waited on narrow wooden benches, low to the carpet. The entire entrance was walled with fish tanks, goldfish the size of his baby sister.
The hostess was dressed in black, and all Rachel had to do was say the word Athena and they were whisked off to a table that looked right out on the water.
“RACHEL!” Athena eased herself from the banquette and completely consumed her. Rachel disappeared into this embrace, and Jake stood there, until Athena pushed Rachel away with considerable force and bowed down to shake his hand.
Athena was also wearing black, layers of it, scarves, a long glittery blouse over a black lace camisole that strained, and a flowing skirt that did not. If it wasn’t for the gray crew cut, Jake would have mistaken her for Stevie Nicks. Just as he had imagined, everybody in the city wore black.
Athena did not seem that fat to him, just exotic, and full of life.
“Pleased to meet you,” Athena said, and wrapped an arm around his shoulder. Her arms tinkled, and he saw that her wrists were covered in silver bracelets, each strung with tiny bells. “I have heard ever so much about you. Rachel calls you her best friend, so it is truly an honor.”
Rachel smiled at him, and he blushed as Athena herded them into the banquette.
“I’ve already ordered,” said Athena. “I made sure you got your precious goddamn tofu.” Athena reached across the table and touched Jake’s arm. “I apologize for my language, but you’d better get used to it.”
“God, I missed you,” said Rachel.
“I should hope so,” said Athena.
“I’ve got four hundred and thirty-four days,” said Rachel.
“I know,” said Athena. “Your new sponsor and I have become pen pals. That motherfucker can’t spell for shit.”
“Really? He writes you letters?”
“I spoke to his wife. I suspect that she forces him.”
“How on earth did you find him?”
“I have my ways,” said Athena as the food began to arrive.
Athena announced each item, as it was lowered in front of Jake: General Tso’s chicken, pot stickers stuffed with pork and cabbage, wonton soup. Thin slices of barbecued pork were arranged in a perfect ring that surrounded tiny dishes of hot mustard and sesame seeds.
Rachel and Athena talked recovery, and gossiped about mutual friends from AA. Jake surrendered to the food. He was so full after ten minutes that he forced himself to stop, and stared out at the river. It had become night, and the city lights twinkled on the water. He peered around the room at the other diners, impeccably or interestingly dressed, living a city life in the candlelight.
“So, little man.” Athena’s arms tinkled as she pointed a finger at him. “What do you want to do with the rest of your life?”
“This,” he said.
“Rachel tells me that you like fashion and the arts. She tells me that you had very firm opinions about the decoration of her house.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, blushing again.
“In the city, we have a name for men like you.”
Jake almost choked, waiting to hear that word, the word that was never to be spoken.
“Fabulous,” said Athena. “Fucking fabulous.”
Jake exhaled.
“Goodness,” said Athena. “You’re white as a sheet.”
“Sorry,” he said. “I think I ate too much.”
“Well, my fabulous little friend. I got you a special present. A thank-you for taking such good care of my girl.”
“Oh no.” Rachel put down her egg roll. “Please tell me it is age appropriate.”
“Of course not,” said Athena. “I can tell this kid is wise beyond his years.”
“Thank you!” Jake was ecstatic. “That’s what I keep telling my mother.”
“You absolutely cannot tell your mother about this,” said Athena. “But I think it’s going to blow your little mind.”
“Are we going to the mall?”
“That’s disgusting,” said Athena. She reached into her mammoth black purse, and removed three tickets and fanned them out across the only clear space on the table. “If you mention that cursed place, I shall give these tickets to some homeless people.”
Jake clutched the ticket with shaking hands, made out the words in the candlelight.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” he said.
“Sweet lord,” said Rachel.
“Sweet transvestites,” corrected Athena. “You will never, ever be the same again. The show starts in an hour.”
“Thank you,” said Jake.
“Honey, growing up where you do, I think you need this experience.”
“I used to have cable,” said Jake. “I read books. I know things.”
“Oh, little man,” said Athena. “You have no idea.”
* * *