Thursday's Three Word Wednesday

The words over at Three Word Wednesday are charm, feast and robust.

Charming

He sat, contemplating the feel of it, as it rolled off her tongue and through pouty, collagen-filled lips:

Slack-jawed yokel.


The remnants of the Four Seasons Martini dripped slowly off his dark, impeccably-trimmed goatee and was, at that very moment, puddling on the China between a feast of mashed Yukon gold potatoes with rosemary crème sauce and the lamb rib chop with quince jelly glaze. Untouched was the medley of baby spring vegetables, their color enhanced with their quick sear in the a pan of garlic-infused olive oil.


The slap was unexpected and drew a slight web of saliva across his reddened cheek; the cool Gin had helped soothe the sting.


He had watched her retreat, in slow motion like passing a car wreck, and though briefly that maybe she should have worn a slip under the little red dress she fancied for nights out when she liked to charm him – it being more than a little tight across her backside, and showed the defined etch of panty lines.


Now alone, he swiped the linen napkin across his face, reached for the crystal salt and pepper shakers, and gave the plate a light hand to the seasonings.


He then stared down the other diners with a cold, calculated gaze, picked up his fork and knife and paused.

Slack-jawed yokel.

He slid an elbow on the crisp linen tablecloth, rested his still-damp chin on the heel of his palm, lips kissing his knuckles that were going white as he squeezed the silverware.


“What the fuck?” he said, causing those startled diners near him to avert their eyes into their laps.


Furthest from his mind was the quarrel, the one robust insult that had lead to the strike, the doused drink, the abrupt departure.

Further still was the stigma of now dining alone at the featured table, a deuce near the kitchen where you could watch the celebrity chef shake sauté pans with a flourish and maybe a bit of flame, dramatic.


No, what he chewed over, pondered deeply, was that phrase:

Slack-jawed yokel.


Who the hell thinks like that, let alone talks like that?

Comments

mrscott45 said…
Very good, Thom. Brings back memories. Only, it wasn't that phrase, and it wasn't a Martini! Come to think of it, I can't remember what I said that pissed her off!
VL Sheridan said…
God, love the detail, especially of the food! What ever did he say to elicit such a response? It makes the mind spin
Jane Doe said…
What a great scene. Very vivid and descriptive!
R.S. Bohn said…
Wow. Killer opening, and I, too, would like to know exactly what he said. Can't say I like him -- guess I'm automatically taking up sides here -- but you never know. Maybe what he said to her was pure truth.
Ann (bunnygirl) said…
What did he say? And what kind of woman would make a scene like that? I question his taste in women.
Anonymous said…
dramatic twist for sure !!! liked this :)
Marisa Birns said…
Your description was so spot on, I was almost tasting that rib chop and potatoes.

That must have been some insult! :)
Jeni Mc said…
What kind of woman indeed. I rarely wear red.

Great piece Thom.
dolorah said…
Now this is a character study of action, reaction, and forward motion.

Excellent word choices. A visual feast.

......dhole
this is a sumptuous feast for all the senses even down to the white knuckles - you pulled it off real well here, I was entranced & swept up into the sensorial

marc nash
Deanna Schrayer said…
I too want to know what he said Thom. Very vivid scene that leaves me wanting the rest of the story.

This made my mouth water: "..the medley of baby spring vegetables, their color enhanced with their quick sear in the a pan of garlic-infused olive oil." You need to write for a food magazine. :)
Anonymous said…
What did he say...and how long have they been together? At first, I thought they must have been together for a lengthy bit of time. Details like the absent slip and the dress meant to charm him prompted that. But his reaction is so blase. Maybe they've been through this before? He might be an old pro at eating dinners alone.
Valerie said…
My mouth is watering, too. She should have at least waited until after eating. But I must say that I have heard that phrase used before, so people do actually say that. Neat slice of a life.
Stu Pidasso said…
Vivid detail and such a scene for so little writing. Featured table, exquisite food, damsel in such enticing clothing....you would think he'd have been on his best behavior. A good read!
Anonymous said…
Glad I found this - such a beautiful, trendy setting for a social comedy, 'slack jawed yokel' fun to think where that came from.
pegjet said…
Great story and details, Thom, but what got me thinking was the table. Most of my working life (restaurants for a very long, long time) that particular table would have been the worst table in the house. But now we are in the era of chef's being rock stars, so the table near the kitchen is now the cool table.

What a great detail and observation that puts this story in the here and now.
pegjet said…
Great story and details, Thom, but what got me thinking was the table. Most of my working life (restaurants for a very long, long time) that particular table would have been the worst table in the house. But now we are in the era of chef's being rock stars, so the table near the kitchen is now the cool table.

What a great detail and observation that puts this story in the here and now.
pegjet said…
Great story and details, Thom, but what got me thinking was the table. Most of my working life (restaurants for a very long, long time) that particular table would have been the worst table in the house. But now we are in the era of chef's being rock stars, so the table near the kitchen is now the cool table.

What a great detail and observation that puts this story in the here and now.
Laurita said…
Superb detail. The whole scene is rich with texture. I, too, am wondering about the phrase. Perhaps she is a Simpson's fan?
Anonymous said…
Lovely vivid story. The Simpsons was my first thought too, which gave me the entertaining image image of Cletus the slack-jawed yokel at the best table in a trendy restaurant!
Susan Cross said…
Unlike the others, it doesn't matter to me what he said. I can think of so many things that might have caused the reaction. I noticed that the featured table was near the kitchen. In all the restaurants I've eaten in the table near the kitchen was the worst--tells you where I've been eating.
Christine said…
Amazing piece, Thom; loved it ... Midwest yokels unite~ :-)
shail said…
Very vividly penned :)

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