Gladys is already waiting for him when he makes his way down the stairs.
Gladys: Where are we going that requires us to dress up?
Quincy: I wanted to take you out to dinner, but there are only two restaurants nearby – Ranger Stanley or the fancy garden restaurant across the street. I figured you’d rather go to the garden.
Gladys: You figured right.
Gladys and Q travel the short distance to the entrance to the garden. The host greets them immediately.
Host: Good evening, sir, madam. Do you have a reservation?
Q had no idea that the place required a reservation, but he plays it off.
Quincy: Yes, it’s under Quincy Wade.
The host looks for a moment.
Host: I’m sorry, I don’t see anything under that name.
Quincy: *feigned anger* What do you mean you’ve lost my reservation?
Gladys chuckles to herself. This is about to get good.
Host: I didn’t say I lost it, sir. There’s nothing here indicating there ever was one.
Quincy: Do you know who I am?
Host: Um, you just said you were Quincy Wade?
Quincy: Yes, I’m Quincy Wade Jr. of Dinky Beats records. A bad review of this place from me won’t do you any good – I can assure you.
Q’s work with Dinky Beats over the years earned him a little fame. He can only hope that this young man has heard of him.
Host: Oh! That Quincy Wade. Why didn’t you say so? I see your table right here.
Q and Gladys both know this is a lie. There never was a reservation. Gladys is openly smiling now – her earlier mood has been completely forgotten. She likes this rebel side of Q.
Host: Right this way, sir, madam!
The host leads them to a table next to a large fountain, where they take their seats. Gladys scans the menu, then puts it away.
Quincy: You know what you want already?
Gladys: Yes, because I’m not too fond of fish, so that leaves only salad.
Q looks over his menu and sees that it’s all seafood.
Quincy: I’m sorry, I didn’t know.
Gladys: How could you know? As you said, we had only two choices for dinner. It was either this or greasy pizza and hotdogs at Ranger Stanley’s, right? I’d prefer this.
Quincy: *smiles and looks around* At least it’s pretty here.
Gladys: And it’s romantic. I like it.
The waitress arrives before Q gets a chance to respond to that. He and Gladys place their orders.
Gladys: It’s been a long time since I’ve been out to dinner with a man.
Quincy: So you’re not dating anyone in the group?
Gladys: No. Some of them have hooked up. There’s definitely something going on between Tammy and Frank. Even though they do their best to keep it hush-hush – it still gets out. But maybe I’m picky. I was never interested in any of those other guys in the group.
It seems to Q that Gladys is leaving something out of her statement. He’s wondering if it’s what he thinks it is as the waitress arrives to drop off their food.
Q lifts his glass.
Quincy: A toast to new friendships!
Gladys: I’ll toast to that.
Q pauses for a moment as he thinks about Gladys just showing up at the house this morning. She said there was something she wanted to tell him. Now seems as good a time as any to find out what that is.
Quincy: What was it that you wanted to tell me this morning?
Gladys doesn’t even hesitate. It’s like she was waiting for this moment.
Gladys: I was thinking about the fact that we’re not getting any younger. None of us knows how much time we have left in this world.
Quincy: True
Gladys: *continues* And I wanted you to know that I think you’re incredibly sexy. I’m very attracted to you, and I’d love to spend what time I have left getting to know you better – not just as your friend.
Quincy: I see
It would be a lie for Q to act like he didn’t already know that. He’d even go as far as to say that he’s attracted to her as well. That’s probably why he invited her and why he was suddenly so overcome with guilt at the cemetery.
Quincy: Thanks for letting me know. Is it okay if I take some time to think about that? *stands* Let me walk you back to your room.
It’s not the response that Gladys was looking for, but he doesn’t seem repulsed by the idea.
Gladys: Yeah, sure.
Q had every intention of walking Gladys to her room before going back to his own alone. But a goodnight peck on the cheek leads to a long embrace, followed by his lips touching hers and remaining there, evolving into a long sensual kiss. All thoughts of what should or shouldn’t happen evaporate. Gladys takes Q into her room and changes into the gown that she brought, hoping that he’d get to see it. Q strips down to his underwear and waits for her on the side of the bed. She climbs up on his lap and straddles him.
Q pauses…
Quincy: It’s been a while for me – and I’ve never been with anyone else, besides…
He stops there. He can’t even mention her name.
Gladys: I understand. It’s been even longer for me. I’ll try to be gentle.
Q chuckles as Gladys leans in and kisses his neck. That’s all it takes to erase his doubts. Q and Gladys spend several hours getting to know one another on a more – intimate level.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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