Miss Ivy's Tea Room

On Saturday morning at the tea room, Mason Green stopped in. Julia was quite surprised to see him. “Miss Horne, how are you? I told you I would try to visit your restaurant. Can you get me in? I know the owner.” He winked at her.

“Oh, I know the owner too. She told me to watch out for the silver haired man.” She laughed.

“It is quite busy, but wait, I see a couple getting ready to leave. How was the rest of your evening at the fundraiser?” she asked.

“Fabulous. I had a great time. I hope I was helpful to the cause.”

“I’m sure you were.” Julia checked the couple out and walked Mason Green to the table.

“Here is your menu. Kathleen your waitress will be with you in a minute.” He took the menu gently. “Hey, I wanted to invite you to a play that I’m in at the Westport Playhouse on Saturday. Here are two tickets. He reached into the back pocket of his jeans. “I hope you can make it.”

“Oh, thank you. Perhaps if it’s not too late, I have an event the following day.”

“Well stop by the dressing room after the play if you make it.”

“Sure. Enjoy your breakfast.” Julia was surprised and amused. She did plan to skip church, but only because she was hosting the shower for Mosha and Muriel on Sunday afternoon.

The following Saturday Julia attended the play with Marie. The play was Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. Mason played the husband. The play was dramatic. Julia enjoyed it. Marie did not want to go back stage, but Julia was too shy to go by herself, so she dragged Marie by the arm. Mason Green was talking to a group of his fellow actors when he spotted Julia approaching him. She was wearing slim jeans with a black short sleeve frilly type blouse. She looked casual yet polished. Her short Halle Berry haircut, although graying, showed off her youthful complexion. “Miss Horne, you made it,” said Mason Green as he walked towards her with his arm outstretched to shake her hand. “Did you enjoy the play?”

“Oh, please call me Julia. You know my friend Marie Carrington.” He shook Marie’s hand.

“Nice to see you again Marie.”

“The play was very moving Mason,” said Marie.

“Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed it and your performance. It’s quite a character change from your soap opera,” said Julia.

“Well, thank you for the compliment. I enjoy doing these plays. Soap operas keep me with a solid income, but plays help me to explore more meaningful characters. I’ll be out of here in a few minutes, will you ladies join me for a drink across the street?” he asked.

“Oh thanks for the offer, but we must run. I have a shower that I’m hosting at the tea room tomorrow, so I need to get up early to prepare. But, thanks again for the tickets. I hope to see you soon at the tea room.”

“Okay Julia, thank you for coming and good night. Have a safe drive home.” He shook her hand.

When they got into Julia’s Mercedes truck, Marie remarked, “I think that man likes you Julia.”

“Oh no, I think he is just being polite since he met me at the fundraiser and he remembers me from the train when I used to commute to work in Manhattan. Oh, I don’t miss those days. I always felt so guilty leaving Victoria with my Mom and Dad. Mason was very moving in the play, he’s been on that soap opera for about 20 years. I guess I’m out of touch, I didn’t realize he performed in plays. I know I saw him in a television movie now and again.”

“Yes, he was awesome. Sometimes I sneak a peek at the soaps when the patients are watching them at the hospital. I’ve seen him in his soap opera, Benson Heights, is it?”

“Yeah.”

Julia drove to Marie’s house and dropped her off. Marie’s young doctor friend, Dr. Robert Philips was pulling into the driveway just as Julia pulled in.

“Marie, you are insane. I’m not saying anything more. Good night. Call me tomorrow.”

“Bye girl.” Marie skipped over to Dr. Philips car.

When Julia got home, she made herself a cup of tea, watched an old black and white movie and fell asleep for the night.

A lot more people showed up for Mosha and Muriel’s wedding shower than anticipated. Iris, his sister was very apologetic to Julia.

“I am so sorry, are you able to get us some additional food. Muriel’s family told people to come who were not on the invitation list.”

“Don’t worry, Chef Maurice will make extra sandwiches, but it will take a bit longer to bake more scones but we have some additional cupcakes. Everything will be okay. Go back to your family.”

After Julia consulted with Maurice she walked back to the party. Mr. Thomas and Mr. Bowers along with four other elderly people who apparently lived in the same elderly community with the Oden’s were coming to the shower. Julia was startled at first. Iris shot her a glance of astonishment and just threw her hands in the air. Julia just waved to her and mouthed “No problem.” Julia quickly informed Maurice, but he was calm and said we’ll manage. Norman, his son was helping out.

“I’ll send Norman back here to help you. He can help boil water for more tea. Now I have to figure out how to charge them. Yikes! All in fun,” she smiled and returned to the party. Everyone was having a good time and the buffet table looked lovely. Muriel was smiling the whole time.