chapter 3

Ted and Betty decided that if they couldn't exercise, they could at least put their time to good use. They went on line to check out the Boston job market. There wasn't much that their degrees would be useful for. They expected that. Boston isn't exactly Silicon Valley. They knew that getting jobs in their field would be difficult, but they both loved Boston and were determined to succeed there. After a few hours, Dinah knocked at their door. "It's the cocktail hour. Come down for a drink." They dutifully shut down their laptops and went downstairs to the Library. Normally when they drank, it was light beer or white wine. Predictably there was neither of those in sight. There was a selection of dark beers, and one of the maids stood ready at the bar to mix whatever cocktail they might desire.

"Try her German Chocolate Martini, Betty. It's truly decadent."

Betty sighed and told the maid, "Oh, why not. Fix me up, please." The maid mixed up equal parts of chocolate infused vodka, chocolate liqueur, and coconut rum. She coated the edge of the martini glass with chocolate powder, then stirred the martini pitcher some 20 or 30 times, making it ice cold. She filled the glasses with the martini mixture, and topped it off with a chocolate stir stick. Betty took a sip, and it tasted every bit as decadent as her mother had promised. And then some.

Ted and Dinah each had a Manhattan. Not the calorie bomb that Betty was having, but no diet drink either. The three of them relaxed and made small talk, and the maid quietly made them another round without being asked. No one complained, as the drinks were truly excellent.

After the second round of drinks were done, Dinah said, "We should go to the dining room. I believe dinner should be ready." Indeed it was. A Calimari appetizer, Veal Marsala, an Italian salad, and garlic bread. The maid opened a bottle of Chianti, and poured for everyone. As they worked their way through the heavy meal, the maid refilled their wine glasses industriously. She opened a second bottle and continued her task of keeping the wine flowing. As they came to the end of their dinner, the maid brought out Chocolate Cannoli for desert. Betty smiled at her mother. "I guess chocolate is a theme tonight, right mom?"

Dinah returned her daughter's smile, and replied, "And why not, dear? I can think of worse themes,"

The Cannoli finished them off. Ted and Betty were stuffed and mildly drunk. Drunk enough that when Dinah suggested Cognac "to settle the stomach," they agreed. Fortunately, they didn't have to hoist themselves from their chairs, since the maid brought the Cognac to them. By the time they had each had a generous snifter of Cognac, they were relaxed and more than just mildly drunk. With some effort, they were able to drag themselves to the sofa to watch a movie. When the movie was over, they stumbled to their bedroom. The maid had been nice enough to turn down the bed and leave a chocolate mint on each of their pillows. Of course. They looked at each other, looked at the mints, and Ted said, "Oh hell, in for a penny, in for a pound. Our diets are blown all to hell anyway." They each popped the mint in their mouth and fell into bed, where they slept a deep sleep.