Table for Two

"After you, my dear" George said holding the door open as a gust of wind shook it from his grip. "Whew boy, that was a strong one" he said looking to his wife, Eva and winking. She still looked at him as if he were the strongest thing going and he was all too happy to let her think so. His silver hair, broad thin shoulders, mischievous green eyes and paper like skin were badges of honor for him. He loved to tell anyone who would listen that he had earned every one of his laugh lines. George slowly made his way across the room to his and Eva's favorite table. It sat under an old red wooden heart with the words "Love You" written across it gently wedged against a brightly painted yellow wall. His wife always said that it reminded her of their first Valentine's Day together. She felt that the heart was as much a part of the room as they were and that sitting under it kept her warm. George didn't mind where they sat as long as it was with her. The two of them went every Sunday after church to enjoy a little lunch and a few hours of people watching. Sometimes they would chat with neighbors about everything going on in the world, but mostly they just sat quietly sipping coffee and holding hands. "What can I get you George" chirped a smiling server. "Oh, I think I will try some of that peach cobbler today with a little dip of vanilla ice cream and some coffee." He paused for a moment to see if Eva was going to order anything, but she just politely shook her head "no" so he said  to the server" I guess that'll do it.". "Alright then, I'll be right out with that" she replied heading for her next table. George had noticed that his wife had been eating less and less. He thought she might be concerned with keeping her figure, but he felt that she looked fine. They had the kind of marriage where unsolicited questions lead to hurt feelings and misunderstandings. He smiled at her, she smiled back and everything was just as it should be. The cheerful server returned with a cup of piping hot coffee and a mound of melting ice cream atop a flaky peach cobbler "Here you go sweetie" she said "it looked extra yummy today. I just might have to have some myself on my break. Are you sure you wouldn't like to try the chicken fried steak or our early bird special?" George shook his head a little embarrassed at the thought of eating all that food "No, no. This will be fine". he said to her. "Ok then. I"ll be back in a bit to top off your coffee" said the server floating back into the kitchen. He reached for the creamers and tried to open one. After a few moments of struggle with the lid George poked the top with a butter knife. "There" he said relieved to have opened it. He poured the cream into his coffee and waited for the last drop to fall before placing the empty container next to his cup. He started to open a second one when he locked eyes with Eva who was giving him that look she gave him when he was going a little overboard. He put the second one back in the dish, smirked a knowing grimace and stirred the one he had managed to sneak past her. George always offered her the first bite of the dessert. This day was no different, but she shook her head "no" to the fork waving in front of her. He shrugged his shoulders, closed his eyes and puckered his lips around the fork. "Delightful" he offered as if to tease her. She glanced up at the heart and stretched her hands out toward him. He thought she looked just as young and beautiful today as she did  the day they met. As if somehow she had managed to skip aging altogether. Her lovely blonde hair always styled and neatly swept off her face. She wore subtle makeup, but indulged in a bright pink lipstick lending sparkle to her smile. Her soft, kind eyes, widely set against her flawless skin. He considered himself a lucky man to have found such a beautiful woman. It could not have been easy for her to have raised their young family while he was overseas protecting the country, but she never complained. And when he retired she was the one to suggest that he spend a month ice fishing to get his feet wet as a civilian again. She knew he had seen things and done things that he was still trying to get his head around. Eva made a house a home in every regard. "Yup" he said to her "Just lucky I guess". Eva blushed with pride, for this unfinished thought was one she knew well. The server stopped back a few times over the next hour filling George's coffee as needed. George, realizing the day was getting away from him, waved the server over and asked "Can I get the ticket?" The server laid the ticket on the table. He took a quick look at it to make sure that everything was accurate, rustled around for his wallet and took out a ten dollar bill. He left the money on the table, got up from his seat and offered his arm to Eva. Heading towards the door it flew open just as George reached for it. "Hello George." said a minister opening the door. "Homeward bound already, huh?" George waved him off and chuckled, pausing only for a moment in the doorway "After you my love" he said to his wife. The minister shut the door behind him, reached for a menu and said "Terrible loss, that. It's as if his wife were still with us."