* * * * *
"One shrimp sandwich and one chicken Caesar salad," Joey announces as she stands beside the table and hands out food to the waiting customers. After she has delivered the food to the correct people, she smiles and walks back over to the front counter. It's an average Friday evening. The restaurant is about half full now but she knows there will be three times this many people crowded in here within a few hours. Right now, at 5pm, not many people are ready for dinner but come 7 o'clock she'll be running around here like crazy. She decides to sit for a minute and enjoy the peace while it lasts.
"So, did you have a good day at school?" Bessie asks as she comes up and sits on the stool next to her. She is holding Alexander, who has already learned from many a weekend night at the Icehouse to sleep through any kind of noise. He's snuggled up to his mother, blissfully unaware of the many conversations and chattering going on around him.
"Yeah, it was okay," Joey says.
"Any big plans for tonight?" Bessie asks with a slight smile.
"Yeah, I thought my plans included serving umpteen billion plates of chicken Alfredo and smiling happily about it," Joey replies.
"Oh no, you're off tonight. I have Sandy and Trish coming in an hour. You worked every day last weekend. I want you to go out and have some fun tonight."
"Bess, I . . ."
"No buts Joey. You're fifteen years old. I don't want you to spend every waking minute in here serving pasta. Call your friends, go to a party, have some fun. Enjoy it while it lasts kiddo. Growing up happens way too fast," she says as she looks down at little Alex and pats his head.
"I don't have anything to do anyway, Bess. I'll just end up sitting at home watching 'An Affair to Remember' and bemoaning my miserable existence. Do you really want that on your conscience?"
"Joey, do I have to call Dawson Leery myself?"
"Bessie!" Joey hisses, afraid someone will hear her. "This has nothing to do with him."
"Oh, I think it has everything to do with him," she replies.
"Yeah, well, whatever. Dawson probably has plans with Jen anyway and I am not going to call to see what they're doing. That is just . . . no way. I'd rather stay here and push pasta."
Bessie sighs, "Well, I tried," she says as she gets up. "I'm going to put him down in the back," she says, indicating Alexander. "If you change your mind you're free to go."
"Thanks," Joey replies but her lack of enthusiasm is pretty obvious. It's just another Friday night just like every other night of her life. She sighs as she contemplates this. Aren't things ever going to change? She shakes her head, deciding she doesn't want to think about this anymore. Getting up, she heads to the kitchen to wash some dishes and take her mind off of life for a while.
* * * * *
"Jennifer, you have a visitor," Jen hears her grandmother call from downstairs. She figures from the disapproving tone in her voice that this visitor is probably Dawson. She decides she'd better hurry and get down there to save him from a lengthy conversation about sin or whatever her Grams has in store for poor Dawson.
"Thanks Grams, I'll be right down," she calls down the stairs. She goes over to the mirror in her bedroom and checks her appearance. Deciding she doesn't have too many hairs out of place, Jen turns and exits her room and starts downstairs.
She walks into the living room and finds Dawson sitting on the couch by himself. "Hey," she smiles. "I'm glad to see you aren't getting the third degree."
Dawson returns the smile and stands up. "You and me both," he says.
"So, what are you doing here? I thought you were staying after school."
"Ugh, don't even get me started on how Cliff the great has ruined this movie now. I'm telling you, I've seen better made movies starring Pauly Shore."
Jen laughs. "So, this means you're free tonight, then?"
"Yep, actually that's what I came to talk to you about. Uh, Pacey wants us to go to the movies with him and Joey tonight. You said you wanted to see the new film at the Rialto, right?"
"Uh, yeah, sure. Pacey and Joey?" she questions. "Is that something new or what?"
"No, Pacey says it's strictly a friend thing," Dawson says.
Jen nods but doesn't say anything. She knows how the "strictly friends" thing seems to be turning out between Joey and Dawson so she has her doubts but she doesn't voice them. It's not the time for that. "Okay, what time does the movie start?"
"I'm not sure. Either seven or nine but Pacey didn't say how long Joey had to work. How about I go home and call him to find out the details while you get ready, okay?"
"Okay, sure," she smiles.
"Great, I'll call you in about half an hour," he says. He bends down quickly to kiss her. The kiss is light, barely a brush of the lips. God forbid Grams walk in and catch them making out. He pulls back and smiles at her one more time then heads for the door.
Jen watches Dawson leave and wonders if this movie thing is such a good idea. She can't help but remember the last time they all went to the movies together . . . that had been an experience. Still, she knows Joey and Dawson are going to remain friends no matter what. She figures she might as well go ahead and start getting used to it.
* * * * *
"Josephine!" Pacey says cheerfully as he walks up behind Joey and lays a hand on her shoulder. She turns from the table she is clearing to give him a dirty look at the name.
"What Pacey?" she asks in a biting tone. It's very apparent she's not in the mood for kidding today. As usual, Pacey pays little attention to this, though.
"Now, is that any way to talk to your new best friend?" he asks with a grin.
"Yeah, whatever, Pace." She starts for the kitchen with an armload of dirty dishes and Pacey follows her.
"I'm serious Joey. You're going to love me after I tell you what I have planned for us tonight."
"What are you babbling about?" she asks as she sets the dishes in the sink and starts back out to wipe down the table. Pacey continues to follow her around the restaurant as he explains himself.
"Tonight, you, me, Dawson, and Jen are all going to the movies together," he says.
Joey drops the rag she is wiping off the table with and spins around quickly to face Pacey. "What!?" she says loudly.
"It's okay Jo, no need to thank me," he replies.
"Thank you? How about I kill you!" she says.
"What? You mean you don't want to spend the evening in a dark theatre with our good friend Dawson?" he asks.
"With him and his favorite bottled blonde? No, thanks, I'll skip the festivities," she replies.
"Oh, come on Jo. It'll be better than waiting tables. And you want to see the movie anyway. You told me that the other day. Besides, I can't go with just the two of them. I'll look ridiculous."
"Pacey, I hate to break it to you, but . . ." she starts with a smirk.
"Not one more word, Joey!" he says. "Look, please come with us. You'll have fun, I swear." Joey thinks about this for a moment. She considers the movies, then considers the alternative of being here waiting tables all night. Is there really anything to think about? "I'll buy you some gummy bears," Pacey says with a grin.
Joey giggles. "Well, in that case . . ." She picks up the rag off the table and starts back towards the kitchen. "Let me just go tell Bessie I'm leaving," she says.
"I knew you'd see it my way," Pacey says. Joey turns and gives him a look that says, 'Don't push your luck,' then proceeds to go find her sister and let her know that she has actually made plans for the evening. She can't think of anything that will make Bessie's day more.
