I began this semi-autobiographical novel, while recovering from surgery back in 1994. This scene at the Napoleon House was one of the most fun to write. Believe it or not, I wrote this scene from Wendy's terrace in Tour de Faure. I seem to do France best from New Orleans and New Orleans best from France. Here is a slightly edited ode to Larry Trosclair:
Five o'clock comes sooner than expected and Morgan dashes to the Napoleon House. Although its waiters have a reputation for being slow and surly, Morgan knows them all by name and personality. She too, has cried on each one's should at some time or another after another nasty frog has hopped away. She is their greatest defender. Morgan peeks in to get accustomed to the winter darkness and sees that her friends haven't arrived yet. She grabs "the table" by the window, hoping it passes inspection and her friends won't have to rearrange too much of the furniture when they arrive. Larry is always their waiter for that table during the early shift and Mark comes on later.
"Diet-coke and club on wheat, young lady?" he says with authority from under his thick, black-rimmed glasses and salt and pepper mustache, as he smacks a white paper napkin on the copper-top table.
In honor of her return, Morgan breaks with routine and says, "No, how about a scotch and water?"
"Scotch and water?"
"That's it."
"Scotch and water...and what are we celebrating my dear?"
"It's not celebrating Larry, it's reliving."
"Well you'll have to fill me in on this living you've been doing baby, cause I don't remember ever seeing you drink alcohol on a Friday night since I've been waiting on you!"
"I just got back from Paris last night and..."
He jumps in to finish her sentence, "...And you met a man."
Although Morgan's eyes get big, she isn't surprised. She and Larry talk about men on a regular basis. "You've got it," she says with a smile.
"Scotch and water it is, then."
As Larry turns in her drink order, Morgan hears Chopin's Fantasia Impromptu in C Minor playing in the background. Larry returns with her scotch and she knows it's a sign. She sits with scotch in hand, in the same outfit, and Chopin is playing in the background. All that's missing is Cameron and their fire.
"How 'bout a sandwich Morgan? You know this kitchen."
"Not tonight, Larry."
"Oh come on, first booze,now no food. What happened to the program here kid?"
"I don't know for sure, Lar, maybe it's all about change."
"Well, if you say so, I'll do my best to be ready for it."
"Spoken like a true waiter and friend," Morgan adds while she grabs his hand.
And that was Larry-a true waiter and friend. With love to my friend, whose spirit lives on at the Napoleon House and in my heart.
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