Chapter 28: Dinner Cruise

Chapter 28: Dinner Cruise Begins

In the limousine

Sue: Wow! I had no idea you would spring for a limo and everything else tonight. You went way out for Valentine’s Day. Is there something I should know about? (curious smile)

Jack: All in good time. Did you have fun finding all your presents? (megawatt smile and raise eyebrows)

Sue: Yes. You did an amazing job of keeping me in the dark. Especially with the bracelet, I never suspected a thing when we went to J & T Jewelry this afternoon. (dazzling smile)

Jack: That was my plan along. By the way, we are having dinner on Spirit of Washington. (megawatt smile and his signature wink)

Sue: Oh, I haven’t even given you my Valentine’s Day presents. I bought you several things I hope you will like, since I figured you might go overboard with my gifts. And I was right. I don’t know how you can top all the presents at your house. (smile and laughs)

Jack: Well, stay tuned because there are plenty of surprises around the corner. The night is young and Valentine’s Day happens only once every February. I want you to remember tonight for a very long time. (megawatt smile, laughs, and his signature wink)

Sue: As if I could ever forget this Valentine’s Day. (dazzling smile)

The limousine has arrived at Pier 4, 6^th and Water Streets. Jack gets out first, opens the door and waits for Sue. They board the Spirit of Washington. The maitre d’ shows them to a cozy table for two on the observation deck overlooking the Potomac River.

On the table are six more roses, another bottle of champagne and souvenir glasses waiting for them. Jack pulls the chair out for Sue and then he takes a seat across from her. The waiter pours two glasses of chardonnay. Then Jack and Sue go to the buffet table and choose gardener’s delight salad, rosemary round roast, roasted vegetable lasagna, grilled Cajun chicken, with a side dish of herb-roasted red bliss potatoes, fluffy white rice, green beans & baby Parisian carrots, and for dessert chocolate mousse cake with coffee.

The Spirit of Washington takes a trip around the nation’s capital with a narrator on tape describing the highlights of the riverfront ever-changing sights. Starting from Fort Lesley J. McNair and General’s Row, Washington Monument, National Airport, Alexandria City, Torpedo Factory, Admiral’s Row, Jone’s Point, Woodrow Wilson Bridge, and ending at the US Naval Research Lab before returning to dock at Pier 4, 6^th and Water Streets.

The heart-shape stepping stone Jack hand-made three weeks ago is wrapped in plastic bubble and lots of tissue paper and hidden under the dinner tray. After dessert is over, Jack signals to the waiter to bring out Sue’s one-of-a-kind dinner tray.

Sue: What’s this? Do you have another note for me to read? You’re being very mysterious tonight, Jack. (curious smile)

Jack: Maybe. There’s only one way to find out for sure. (megawatt smile and his signature wink)

Sue: It’s official. You are off the hook for the next five years. I will not let you buy me any more gifts on Valentine’s Day. (lighthearted smile)

Jack: Okay. You win. But aren’t you the least bit curious about what’s under the dinner tray? It’s time to open your gift, Sue. (megawatt smile, laughs, and his signature wink)

Sue lifts the dinner tray up and sees two envelopes along with a funny looking package. She takes out the note from the first envelope, it says; “There’s a poem I wrote for you, in the next envelope is a copy of the poem”. Here are the rules: “Only look at me after you have finished reading and only after you open your last present. This is a gift that comes straight from my heart. It is imperative that you follow my rules”. With hugs and kisses, Yours truly, Jack Hudson. ---

P.S. “From now on you get one penalty point each time “Sparky” is mentioned. And I have an installment plan already in mind for the next time you call me Sparky. Let this be a warning to you”.