Date Night at the Ninety Nine

99 Restaraunt in Keene

For the past month or so once a week Geo takes me out to eat.  We go to the 99 (see picture above taken last night).  The waitress knows us.  We sit in the same booth.

We sit side by side.  It's something we've always done,  in the seven years we've been together.  Geo likes to order a Jameson's "martini".   I like to order a hot chocolate or coke with lemon. 

When they see us they smile and bring Geo his drink without him having to say what he'd like.  It's great that they remember our preferences. 

I think of my sister Claire laughing at me when I order my favorite prime rib (it's on special Thursday nights).  Some things really don't change.  I love meat and mashed potatoes and corn always have always will!

We share very funny conversations together Geo and I.  We like to laugh.  We also notice we are getting older and have to strain sometimes to read the fine print on the television  displaying CNN Headlines. 

On one of our nights out Geo read a headline very loudly incorrectly. The conversation went like this:

Geo reads very emphatically to me, in his booming voice:

"Look Sweetie, Robots have bombed a building in India!"

"Um Babe, that says Rebels not Robots!" I hastily reply.

It can be hard to hear sometimes in the 99.  So sometimes we have to speak loudly just to hear ourselves.  This is a marked contrast to the very deep silence evenings bring to Quill Hill.

This made us laugh a lot and others laughed too.  It is so fun to be able to laugh together.  Life can be so serious sometimes. 

The 99 does not serve haute cuisine but the food is inexpensive and good.  The atmosphere is cozy, casual, and inviting.  The people around us eating and our waitresses are friendly. 

Most important Geo and I can be together outside of our home.  We talk about things that don't involve the maintenance of the house.  We rediscover things that we like about each other and we have a chance to see and be around other people.

I like to interact with people this way--casually, relaxed.  Jess, our waitress asks us about our week and sits down opposite us to chat.  She is leaving soon to have her baby. It's due in two weeks.  It's amazing how a smile and a genuine interest in another's life leaves you feeling alive and happy.  Small and ordinary things are treasures:)