Is that a coin in your pocket?

Is That a Coin in Your Pocket?

I took one last look in the rear view mirror before getting out of the car and walking into Lazzaro’s. Italian is my favorite food and I find myself rather partial to Italian wine so I’m remarkably relaxed. I truly hope this works out right because I’m tired of things working out wrong.

Reed had taken a table to the left of the empty dance floor. Thankfully the stage, with it’s oversized, and overloud, speakers is on the opposite side. At least we won’t have to strain too badly to talk and we won’t go immediately deaf from being right next to the speakers.

Reed is truly an enigma, getting up when I approach and pulling my chair out for me. I have never encountered chivalry like this since, well, never. I didn’t think men with manners or chivalry actually existed! He had taken it upon himself to order a bottle of wine already; a nice Merlot which, coincidentally, would have been my choice.

         “I hope you don’t mind,” he began, gesturing toward the bottle, “but I thought I’d get a jump start. Merlot tends to go with a lot of dishes so I thought it was a safe choice.”

         “I don’t mind at all. Merlot is a very good choice.” The waiter appeared out of nowhere and poured a glass for me and topped off Reed’s glass. Since both of us had been here before there was no need to wait to order.

After the waiter left to give our orders to the chef, the band began to play a rather nice ballad. Reed got that same, twinkling smile in his eyes that he had when we first met earlier that day. He inclined his head toward the dance floor.

         “How about a dance before the meal arrives?” He didn’t give me time to respond. He just got up, took my hand, and led me to the floor.

         “Reed, nobody else is dancing. We’ll be stared at.”

         “That’s okay, Mallory, let them look. They’re just jealous it’s not them.” He raised his eyebrows in exaggerated sarcasm and I couldn’t help but laugh.

We danced until our meals arrived. After we finished he got me up again to “work off the meal”, or so he said! Things had become so comfortable that I laid my head on his shoulder and put my hands in his back pockets. Reed wore a nice suit coat with an inner pocket where he kept his wallet so, when I felt something round and solid against his right butt-cheek I was curious. I was curious, but not subtle. Reed laughed as I fished around in his back pocket trying, in vain, to figure out what the item was.

         “Looking for something specific, Mallory?” He inquired as he led me off the dance floor.

People had finally taken our lead and there were about three other couples now gliding around.  When we were finally out of ear shot of anyone else he pulled the mysterious object out of his pocket. He looked at it nostalgically for a moment or two then held it up for me to see.

         “Is that some kind of coin?” I asked, not quite sure what I was seeing or how I was supposed to act. I thought it would be something spectacular, not a simple coin!

         “This is no ordinary coin, Mallory. It’s a Roskilde Denier.”

I just looked at him in confusion hoping he would elaborate. I wasn’t disappointed.

                      “The Roskilde Denier is the oldest known coin to have an AD date. And as if that wasn’t enough there is no mention of where it came from, the mint master or any acknowledgement of the local ruler. Even among rare coins, this one is an oddity.”

         He looked so proud and delighted that I couldn’t help but be impressed.

                   “Sorry, that was a bit over the top wasn’t it?” I could see the embarrassment creeping up on his face so I told him it wasn’t.

                   “Actually, I think it’s kind of interesting. I’ve always been fascinated by history, I just haven’t had the time to really learn much about it.” I put my hand on his arm, hoping to alleviate his embarrassment.

He gazed at the coin a moment longer then laughed lightly as he put it back in his pocket. He lifted my hand as it lay on his arm and kissed it gracefully.

         “I would be more than happy to teach you. Are you free for lunch tomorrow? I’m thinking Olive Garden?” He put his arm around my shoulders as we made our way toward the door.

Finally, something went very, very right!