1: generally used, applied, or accepted
2: vernacular
This was big -- her first client lunch back. The first time
she had entertained out-of-town business associates since returning to
the workforce after two years off with Rosemary.
She had done her homework. This restaurant, Altus, had
received raves from Wine Spectator
and Fodor’s, so if her guests Googled
it, they would see that she had brought them to one of Chicago’s finest. When she made the reservation she
specifically requested a table with a view so her clients could watch the boats
glide along Lake Michigan.
And, oh, the care that had gone into choosing today’s outfit!
After considering everything in her closet, and in her best friend’s closet,
she slipped into her black and beige linen sweater dress, topped
with a (borrowed) textured beige jacket. Thank God her reliable black kitten
heels still looked just right. The overall effect was understated quality, as
though she dressed like this, lunched out like this, all the time.
She appeared poised and sounded confident. Like she belonged at that table, in this restaurant, with these people. So why
was it that as she savored the Lobster Portuguese and sipped a 2006 California
Chardonnay, she really wished she was having Spaghetti-o’s and apple juice with
Rosie? It made her smile to think of the sturdy plastic play table where they lunched
together at home. The bright purple, yellow and green would have looked vulgar in
the refined atmosphere of Altus, but it was the perfect complement to the Dora
the Explorer décor of their family room.
