CHAPTER 5 - Dinner in the City
Jane is ready early and her gloves are driving her bonkers. Don't worry Jane, in 10 years you will only need them for the opera. Stan is the man in the gray flannel suit, but without all the trauma. Well, there is a little trauma - he couldn't get the car so they have the loan of the Doggie Diner truck for their big excursion. Jane is a good sport not like that bitch Marcy. Who is dressed like a whore - in HEELS! And a silk blouse! Has she no shame?
Jane is hungry. This will be important later. Poor Julie is wearing a girdle and it is constricting. I feel you Julie. Everything is golden until Buzz turns out to be racist and spouts "fried lice" like the lout that he is. Stan, however, is a citizen of the world and the most honorable boy ever. He knows in fricking 1956 that it is wrong to make fun of the way people talk. Particularly people who speak more languages than you do, Buzz.
Parking is, of course, a nightmare. Jane talks herself out of being caught up in Buzz's litany of weird foods. She wisely realizes that "It Smells to Heaven" would seem horrible to people not familiar with it. "It was only a question of what you are used to. So wise, our Jane.
They decide to go to a cool hole-in-the-wall where the locals eat. Fricking hipsters. Stan greets an old school chum who waits tables there. He is sophisticated!
They decide to each order a dish and pass them. This is how I like to eat unfamiliar foods too! That way the person who orders it can describe it and if you don't like it they just get to eat more of their favorite. But I have never eaten with Marcy who - when Jane says she'd like chow mein - says "Only tourists each chow mein." AHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Stan, angel, sticks up for Jane, and her terrible choice in Chinese food.
They toast the coming semester and the food arrives. Jane is flummoxed. There are little brown hands in the wonton sauce. She gives chopsticks the old college try while Marcy gives Stan the old college try. The shrimp roll is HOT. She drops food on her blouse. She is in misery. But when Buzz wises off, she slaps him down handily. Maybe she is getting an idea of how to handle him from watching Marcy with her "don't care" attitude. (Which is clearly covering up for the fact that she cares deeply. Still don't like her.)
Jane is not having fun and feels like she has ruined the date with her shitty attitude. They do fortune cookies and hit the road. The couples split off and plan to meet up later. Then Stan gets Jane a back scratcher and the sun comes from behind the clouds, metaphorically - it's dark and foggy in real life. She gets a burger and milk at a nearby diner and Stan apologizes for the way the dinner went. Marry him at once, Jane. A spouse who can apologize even when it's not their fault is more precious than gold! It turns out that it was Jane's sweet lack of response to having to ride in the Doggie Diner truck that stole Stan's heart.
CHAPTER 6 - Why Doesn't He Just Ask, Already??
Jane's back scratcher is tied to her mirror - shades of Betsy? She is knitting Stan a pair of Christmas socks and could not be more adorable. Kismet and the Woodmont High administration made their schedules and lockers compatible and she has a reputation of being "Stan's girl" among those who pay attention to such things.
Turns out there's going to be a dance featuring Bob Starr and his All-Stars and won't Jane and Stan look wonderful there! Mr. Purdy mines comedy gold with his Doggie Diner material, barking whenever the phone rings. But it isn't Stan, it's Julie. Buzz has asked her to the dance and he can get the car that night. Maybe they can double! But Jane would prefer a solo car date. Really, Jane - down girl! [arf]
At school, Stan is clearly avoiding the dance issue and speaks of having to rush to the "libe". The libe, Stan? Really? I am irritated with him for the first time. Jane is left hanging by her locker with Liz Galpin, girl beatnik. In the corresponding picture, Liz looks super-cool and artsy and Jane looks like the saddest girl in all the land.
George asks Jane to the dance and she LIES about having another date. Oh Jane, you don't owe that future billionaire any excuses. Just say "No thank you." and leave it at that. His feelings are hurt, but Jane is a girl in love and has too many feelings of her own to worry about.
Things are getting weird and people are making assumptions. But Jane evades the truth. She is on a slippery slope relationship-wise. She finally just spills the story of the George incident to Stan. He is inexplicably relieved. What now??
Academics take a back seat as Jane worries the situation in her mind. She once again inadvertently provides comic relief to her class and feels the stirrings of self-loathing that can only be caused by a teenaged boy.
Gosh, I'm sorry to leave you with such a cliff hanger. Blame Ms Cleary for the fantastic pacing of this book!
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