Pizza Delivery WC 928

Karen lit the last candle and surveyed the room. There was a soft glow that illuminated the colorful shawls and throws that covered the rescued furniture. Steve would be arriving at any time.

Every Saturday night Steve had made his regular pizza delivery. He always took time to talk to her. Asked her how her week went and shared funny stories about some of his deliveries. He worked at night delivering pizza for DelRay’s and then during the day he was a postman.

His stories always made her laugh. He would ring the bell and she would pretend he was bringing a surprise. She gave him a generous tip and he would smile showing his very white teeth and a hint of a dimple in his cheek.

They had this standing date for almost two years. If the night was busy, he would apologize, give her a quick kiss on the cheek and wave as he leaped down the steps of her brownstone townhouse to his car.

Last Saturday night was special. He had arrived in a hurry. “Karen, I can’t stop to talk, this is a very special night.” His eyes were shining with excitement. “I will stop by later, I have something special to ask you.” He had kissed her cheek and she watched him get into his car and burn rubber away from the curb.

She had smiled and shut the door. Taking her pizza to her little kitchen table, opened the lid. There was a pizza but it was what was perched in the center that made her gasp.

It was a small jeweler’s box wrapped in colored cellophane. There was a note taped to the lid. The words were encircled with a heart.

“You have made my Saturday’s a day to look forward to. I love you and want you to spend the rest of your life with me.”

Shock made her grasp her chest. Her heart was beating so fast. Steve had proposed in the most wonderful manner. So romantic! She hurried to the door to see if he was waiting there for her answer, but the porch was empty.

She had lusted over Steve’s perfect body. She knew he went to the YMCA to work out when he could. She had made him hot chocolate one Saturday night when there was a blizzard. He had hugged her and told her she was his best woman. Maybe it wasn’t all one sided. She ate her pizza and hugged herself. Then remembered he said he would come by later. She hurried to her bedroom. Throwing off the sweats, she put on a long flowing skirt and one of her favorite tie-died smocks.

She was glad she had washed her hair that morning. She braided it, and let it hang down her back. She liked the braid; it hid most of the grey that had been changing its color over the recent years.

She had rutted through her closet until she found red shoes with the little bows on the top. She stared at her reflection, then at the picture next to it. It was of her and her best friend. They were at a love fest in San Fran. There were flowers in their hair and peace signs on their blouses. It was the end of an era, and she had moved to Oregon to be with people who didn’t want to leave that life behind. She looked a little different than the girl in the picture. She remained thin, and had the same length of hair, and the style of clothes she wore was similar. She grinned at her reflection. She was a rebel at heart, ready to take on a cause if need be.

It was about three hours later as she sat in the chair where she could see from the bay window, anyone who came to her door, two figures climbed the steps to her porch.

She recognized Steve but not the woman beside him. She frowned, why would he be bringing another woman to this engagement party?

The doorbell rang and she moved slowly and deliberately to her foyer. She twisted the lock and opened the door. Steve was standing there alone. She looked for the woman she has seen.

“Karen.” Steve began and stopped then continued, “I am glad you are still up. I delivered your pizza to you tonight.”

“Yes.”

“AH-um-“ cough, “was there something in your pizza that you didn’t order?” He was trying to smile.

“What would be in my pizza I wouldn’t want?” Her body was going cold. She saw a movement behind Steve and then a girl stepped beside him. She was a cute little thing with short brown hair sticking out all over her head.

“Can we come in?” She had opened the door and let them in. Reality slammed into her mind and she knew the ring in the box was not for her.

She didn’t remember everything Steve and his little friend said, but she must have responded positively. Steve proposed right there on one knee and the girl cried and kissed him. He told Karen his mother had passed a few years ago and would she honor him by standing in for her? Somehow she had answered him and they both hugged her and left.

Tonight she had a surprise for Steve. She had not been raised in the late ‘60’s for nothing. He would stop for a soda and conversation while she ate her pizza. He just wouldn’t be leaving. No one makes a fool of Karen.