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I pull up Facebook on my phone. Searching through Liv’s friends, there doesn’t appear to be anyone named Mandy among them. Stoked by curiosity, I type “Mandy Gray CA” into Google. There are one hundred and seventy eight women named Mandy Gray in California. Looking through Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Mountain View and several others, I decide that my search is futile until I have a little more information about her.
My mood improves once the two of them come bouncing through the door and are escorted in my direction. Liv is looking good, but Mandy is downright stunning in a short black dress and matching high heels. I have to wonder how she gets her dresses to form to her body like that.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” she says with a smile as they approach the table. She seems to have recovered from her earlier embarrassment.
“Oh, he’s used to waiting.” Liv wrinkles her nose and shrugs her shoulder at me.
“She’s right. I really hate waiting, but she insists on making me practice.” I rise to pull out a chair for each of them. “I want one of you on each side of me.”
“Just to make sure we don’t get out of line again?” Liv pipes up.
“Exactly! I don’t want you sick two days in a row,” I reply, pushing her chair in for her.
“Have we decided on a beverage or appetizer to start out?” The waiter asks, wasting no time getting things started, once the two of them are seated.
“We’ll start with some Mijiu and Saki. Bring us a bottle of each and we’ll see which one they like best,” I suggest, not knowing Mandy’s tastes.
“Is there a brand you prefer?” he asks.
“Bring us your favorites,” I reply, not having any particular preference. “Also, bring us your three favorite salads along with the Sweet Shrimp Sashimi, Yellowtail Sashimi and whichever Sea Bass Sashimi you prefer.”
The waiter suddenly lights up. “Very good, sir. I’ll take good care of you.”
Mandy
Looking over the menu, I’m glad Trey is taking the initiative and ordering for all of us. I can tell that Liv is just as lost as I am, even though she won’t admit it. She likes to pretend that she is as worldly as Trey, but I can tell she doesn’t have a clue. It’s funny to watch her face as she tries to figure out what is in the appetizers.
“Thanks for ordering. I had no idea what to try.” I set down my menu in relief.
“I’ve learned that the best way to have an amazing dinner is to let the waiter make some of the decisions for you,” Trey replies, closing his menu for the moment. ‘According to everything I’ve read, this is the best restaurant in Geneva, so I’m hoping they will blow us away.”
“Mmm, I can’t wait.” I always love trying new things.
“Don’t they have normal drinks?” Liv seethes in frustration, tossing her menu aside.
“I’m sure they will make anything you want. What would you like?” The expression on Trey’s face makes it obvious that he is trying to be as accommodating as possible.
“I don’t know… something that’s not made from rice!” She shakes her head and makes a face like my seven-year-old niece does when she doesn’t like something.
“I’ll order you a margarita when he comes back. Maybe a little hair of the dog will put you in a better mood.” Trey chuckles.
“Whatever.” She sulks and begins fussing with her napkin.
“So what do you think of Geneva so far?” Trey asks, looking back and forth between Liv and me.
“It’s pretty,” Liv replies flatly. She doesn’t look up, but remains focused on playing with the edges of the black cloth napkin.
“I think it’s amazing,” I respond, thinking at least one of us should show a little appreciation. “The lake is so gorgeous with the Swiss Alps in the background. The buildings have so much character too, but this hotel is a little over the top. I keep expecting Queen Elizabeth to come around the corner. I’ve never seen anything so…”
“European?” Trey asks, trying to help me finish my thought.
“Not just European, but so extravagant. This terrace is the about the only part of the hotel that’s not made from granite and marble with diamond chandeliers. It’s a little crazy.” I struggle, trying to express my thoughts without sounding uneducated. The whole city exudes wealth beyond anything I have ever seen, but this hotel is simply indescribable.
“Yeah, this is one of the fancier hotels I’ve stayed in,” Trey says, sounding totally nonchalant. “Geneva in general is a little over the top. Many of the world’s richest people store their money here, so everyone wants to make them feel secure.”
