the story of mary

Scene 1: Mediterranean restaurant. Waiter presents food, distributes dishes.

Waiter: (gestures to Woman 1) Your Greek salad, fried cauliflower, and falafel. (gestures to Woman 2) Lamb skewers, grilled red peppers, and small order of gyro.
(Waiter refreshes waters for both women, dismissed, exits.)
Woman 1: So, a blessing?
(Woman 2 starts, then nods. Woman 1's head already bowed. Woman 2 follows suit, peeking to raise her head when Woman 1 does.)
Woman 1: I wanted to talk about your car; are you still without air conditioning?
Woman 2: I am, but I love my car. What did... you want to talk about, about my car?
Woman 1: Well, your grandmother has some money set aside for you, from when Bill.... (nods to the side) I was wondering why you didn't merely ask her for it.
Woman 2: (sliding lamb from the skewer, slicing it thinly, pauses) I think the short answer to that question is: because I don't trust my grandmother.
Woman 1: (blinks, her fork stilling in process of taking bite, then continues) Oh... well, I don't know a lot of your family history.
Woman 2: (shrugs, careful smile) You and Daddy didn't talk about it?
Woman 1: We.. chose to move forward in our relationships; not to look back or talk about what had come before.
Woman 2: Oh. (chews sliver of lamb slowly) Well, it is complicated and very Southern Gothic.
Woman 1 nods, then continuing to eat in carefully controlled bites.
Woman 2 takes a breath; Woman 1 looks up expectantly.
Woman 2 (smiling warmly): I am really glad you called and asked me to dinner; I'm so glad we've had the chance to talk.
Woman 1: I am as well. I didn't understand why your father never reached out while he was living.
Woman 2: (cuts piece of lamb into smaller bites, gathers a bite of pepper) Well, it seemed the healthiest choice at the time. I'm not sure that if he had, that it would have helped.
Woman 1 nods slowly, spearing the last of her salad; meticulously moves bowl aside, nearest dish in front of her.
Woman 1: I know that Bill had... friends, and there were times he was too friendly for my comfort. (sips water) But I cannot believe he was unfaithful.
Woman 2 coughs softly, sips water, stabs a red pepper and eats it.
Woman 2: This is really very good. Oh! I like that color on the wall, too.
Woman 1 glances up, nods.
Woman 1: Next time, we'll have Indian, as I thought this place was.
Woman 2: (smiles quickly and nods) That sounds good.
Woman 1 signals for the waiter, scene closes.