“What is the name of this place again?” Mike Stoker inquired from the backseat of his brother Tim's car. Mike and his wife Michelle were both curious at the impending anniversary dinner which had started the usual way: Michelle's sister Bev calling Tim and proclaiming that she'd found 'the perfect place.'
Tim glanced at Mike in the rear view mirror. “It's called A Taste of Greece.”
A strange look crossed the older Stoker brother's face. “Just how do you spell that?” he asked only partly kidding.
The restaurant looked rather quaint, the decor definitely giving the illusion of being in Athens. A hostess led the two couples toward a secluded area, the private party room....
"Surprise!!!"
Mike and Michelle startled at the reception. Everyone from Mike's shift at the station was there as well as their respective spouses and dates and, of course, Bev and Jeff.
Bev leaned in to Michelle and whispered, "Aunt Joyce is in town and I just couldn't not invite her.
Michelle surveyed the group. "I don't see her."
"She's not here yet," Bev informed her. "You know she always comes late. Has to make an entrance.
After the usual greetings were exchanged everybody sat a the large round table that had been provided, Mike and Michelle flanked by respective siblings.
"Jeff and I preordered all the food," Bev told her. "We scouted the place a few weeks ago and when I saw the private party room I just knew."
"Isn't it charming," JoAnne DeSoto was saying.
"Ought to be interesting anyway," Hank Stanley said to his wife Beth. "Anybody here ever had Greek food before?"
"I have," Chet piped up. "You remember I went to that banquet... a literal feast. There was lamb, cous cous, grape leaves...."
"I think that was Moroccan," Marco told him.
Chet grew indignant. "What do you know, you ninny? Where you there? Huh? They served baklava. Tell me that's Moroccan."
Marco put his hands up and shook his head in mock surrender. No point in arguing.
John Gage interrupted. "Please tell me if you eat here tonight we will not have a repeat from the last time you ate whatever kind of food it was."
"What happened," his date Sheila asked. Then she leaned in closer and whispered. "He get bad gas?"
John about choked. "Nah. He went on some kind of crazy health kick. Tried to drag the rest of us down with him."
Chet pouted. "That's what I get for trying to help. Abuse. Hey, I was just thinking of you guys' health. I just got a little carried away"
"A little?" the other firemen chorused.
Chet's response was halted by the arrival of Michelle's aunt Joyce. She strode in and took the empty seat beside Jeff. "Hi everyone!" she said with her thick nasal voice. "Sorry I'm late. I was on the phone to my gallery back home. I'd picked up some very original pieces to ship back and... oh, how terrible of me. I haven't even wished the happy couple a happy anniversary." She turned to Jeff and Beverly and proceeded to congratulate them on their day.
"Uh, Aunt Joyce," Bev began. "It's their anniversary." She indicated Mike and Michelle who each gave her a slight wave.
"Oh," Joyce said, somewhat taken aback. "Are you two married?"
"Unless you know something we don't," Mike joked.
The approach of the waiter put an end to that exchange. He took drink orders and said that he would return shortly with the drinks and the appetizers which Bev had selected. Soon he and another server set their beverages in front of them. Then the waiter deftly hoisted a large tray one handed and held it shoulder high. With the other hand he doused some kind of Greek cheese with vodka. Then with all eyes on him he took up a lighter and to the shout of "O-Pah!" six orders of saganaki... and the curtains separating the dining room from the main restaurant went ablaze.
"This has never happened before," the embarrassed waiter commented as Marco Lopez returned from the kitchen with a fire extinguisher and skillfully put out the flames.
"Well, there's always a last time," Cap said not joking at all. "If you're going to do that on a regular basis you really ought to take some precautions."
Beth playfully slapped her husband. "No citations tonight, please."
Everyone laughed.
"Well, I think we should have a toast," Aunt Joyce proclaimed.
Tim instinctively hid his face.
But Joyce kept talking. She picked up her glass. "You know I really shouldn't be drinking," she told Jeff. "Anyway, I knew when you and Beverly first met that you were meant to be...."
"Aunt Joyce," Bev began. "It's their anniversary." She again indicated Mike and Michelle.
"Oh." Joyce got a puzzled look. "Are you two married? Oh, well, L'Chaim!" She raised her glass higher and everyone at the table toasted.
Conversation continued as appetizers were eaten. Then an assistant server entered to clear the plates. "Excuse me." She leaned over to collect John Gage's dish. John smiled appreciatively as he caught her eye. She smiled back. The unspoken exchange ended abruptly when Sheila stomped on his foot.
John jumped, "Ahh." The server giggled as she started to leave.
"Miss," Joyce caught her attention, "could I get another one of these?" she asked indicating her drink glass. "Scotch on the rocks," she clarified then added, "I'm really not supposed to be drinking."
The main courses... and Joyce's third scotch arrived. The party was startled to see several flaming kebabs presented on a large tray.
"Appropriate theme," Mike joked.
"Serve the guests of honor first," Joyce insisted pointing to Jeff and Beverly.
"Aunt Joyce," Bev started but Michelle waved her off.
"Don't bother," she mouthed to her sister who nodded that she understood.
Joanne dove into her plate. "This food is delicious. How come we never go anyplace like this for our anniversary?" she asked her husband.
"Because we don't have crazed siblings," Roy answered dead serious.
Sheila sighed contently. "I just love wedding anniversaries. Don't you?" she asked Johnny.
"Nope," he answered through a mouthful of spanakopeta.
"You don't like anniversaries."
"I don't like weddings."
Sheila stiffened. "I see." She removed her napkin from her lap and tossing it on the table she rose. "Mike, Michelle, I hope you have many more wonderful years." She turned sharply and left.
"Losing your touch, there, Gage?" Chet couldn't help saying.
"No. I'm not... losing anything. And I don't need comments from someone who came with Marco."
"Hey!" Marco protested.
"Yeah, well, that may be but you're going to be leaving with him too."
John gave him a look. "And what makes you say that."
Chet pinned him with a look. "Because, Casanova, you made a big deal about coming in Sheila's convertible and my guess is she just left in it."
John's eyes went wide. He jumped up from the table and ran out of the party room. Two minutes later he was back saying, "She left me. She actually left me. Can you believe it? Cause I can't believe it. All I said was I didn't like weddings." Gage rested his head on his fist and sulked.
"Is everyone ready for dessert?" The waiter returned with a cart bearing an assortment of Greek confections.
"Do they set that on fire too?" Roy quipped.
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Mike and Michelle stood at the entrance to the private party room, the guests saying their goodbyes.
"I really shouldn't have had that last drink," Joyce told them. "I just so glad you could be here for Jeff and Beverly's party.
"Us too," Mike told her. As she passed he leaned to Michelle. "Exactly, how many drinks did she have?" Michelle shrugged.
"Another year," Captain Stanley said. "I remember when you two got married... the judge, the station, Chet's twinkie surprise..."
"The six alarm fire," Mike put in.
"It's been a privilege. Michelle, you've been a real bright spot in all our lives...."
"Especially with those headlights," Gage murmured.
Captain Stanley turned. "Will you put a cork in it, you twit. I'm being serious here." He turned back to the Stokers. "Mike, when they assigned me to 51 I definitely got the finest engineer in the department."
"Thanks, Cap."
Cap swallowed. "I love you guys." He stepped forward giving Michelle a hug. He kissed her on the top of the head and stepped back. "You too, pal," he said wrapping his arms around Mike. Awkwardly, he brushed a light kiss on Mike's cheek and pulled away. He looked like he wanted to say something else but didn't.
Beth took Hank's arm supportively. "We'll have to let you make the toast next year," she said trying to lighten the mood.
Johnny was next. "I'm not going kiss you," he told Mike.
"He's not going to be kissing anybody tonight," Chet told Marco.
Gage threw him a look, wished the Stokers a happy anniversary and moved aside. Chet and Marco hugged both Stokers and disappeared with Gage out of the private room.
"Survived another one," Roy commented to the couple. They knew he was referring to the celebration dinner, rather than year of marriage. He exited with Joanne who was telling him that it wasn't that bad.
"I'm sorry about Aunt Joyce," Bev told her sister as she and Jeff walked with Mike and Michelle to where Tim and Fran were already waiting at their car.
"Gotta expect Joyce to be Joyce," Michelle said.
"Well, one thing's for sure," Mike said. "She really shouldn't have been drinking."
Both couples laughed. Bev hugged Mike and Michelle. Jeff patted Michelle on the head and both couples climbed into cars.
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Mike and Tim stood in the vestibule of Mike's house. "Okay, let's have it," Mike said.
"Have what?"
"Isn't this the part where you apologize to me for going along with Bev on this party then I tell you it's okay."
Tim chuckled. Apparently, that was the routine. "I am sorry. It was kind of an odd evening."
Mike placed a hand on Tim's shoulder. "You know, it really is okay. I don't just say that. It's true. It doesn't matter if Michelle's aunt doesn't remember who we are... or that John's girlfriend walked out in the middle of dinner..." They both laughed at this. Mike grew serious. "Skip the apology. Just get to the part where you tell me how much you love me. That's what matters right?"
Tim nodded. "And I really appreciate the fact that you don't try to get even with me and Fran on our anniversary."
"What am I going to do with you?' Mike asked as Michelle and Fran emerged from the kitchen.
"It's late," Fran said in a tired way. "Kiss him so we can go home."
The brothers kissed each other and shared a hug. Pulling apart Mike said, "I love you."
"I love you too." And he and Fran were out the door.
"Ready for bed," Mike asked.
Michelle nodded. "Yeah, I'm tired."
"I'm not." Without warning he scooped Michelle into his arms and started down the hall. Whether Joyce thought so or not.... Mike and Michelle were married.
The End