Practically a reunion
I saw the boy.
*insert happy squeeing sound*
Heh. And, of course, it wasn't how I expected it, but then again it never is.
So I actually had a reason to go to the store; K called me around 4:20 and said she'd take her break at 5. That gave me just enough time to finish cooking dinner, scarf down some shrimp, get ready, and go. I was slightly early. I parked a little ways down in the lot and happened to notice his car as I was walking up to the store...and there was somebody in it. Ha, you have to be kidding me. (He'd often take his breaks in the car; I didn't know if he was on break or if he was just getting there.) I went over and knocked on the window and said hi and told him I was here to see K on her break. He got a little worried that maybe he was late getting back--they're very particular about who does what went. Everything is very scheduled. But he was fine, and I saw K right away, so she told me to sit in the cafe until she finished what she was doing.
It just so happened that it took her 5-10 minutes to join me, and Pa. was working the cafe...that was a little weird. There were a LOT of people back there--four--so for a little while he went off and did something else before coming back. I was far enough away that I couldn't really talk to him, but that was okay. K and I sat and talked for a while; I told her of my hospital misadventure. She's had her own medical issues, so it was good to talk to her about that. Also, she reminded me that the new insurance levels kick in April 1st, so at least my hospital stay was covered under my old stuff. Phew. (The company changed around the insurance, and since I knew I wasn't going to work for the company anymore I didn't do anything with it, completely forgetting about COBRA. I have no idea what sort of coverage I'll have, but I was relieved to hear that this month is still the old way.)
I was getting to the end of the story when R and his wife came in. I sent out an email to everyone earlier in the week and he replied today, so I knew he was planning on coming out here; somehow I thought he'd be in in the morning. Nope. So we ended up with half our old staff in the cafe for a while. He regaled us of tales of Oakbrook, where he is now; he's not actually part of their staff, so he sort of gets to do his own thing, mainly merchandising. He was actually at the store on an errand, so when K went to clock back in he went with her to find whomever he needed to see. When he came back he went over to talk to Pa., who at that time was sipping his coffee; R was like, shouldn't you be working hard over here? (By then he was the only one behind the counter.) R's wife and I could hear him talking across the cafe and we started laughing.
It was really nice to see all of them. I probably spent another hour talking to R and his wife after K went back to work (and K wanted to get together with me again; I think she'll call me next Friday, same deal). When we finished, R went back up to say goodbye to Pa. K had left her plate on the table, so I took it back up to him...that's right, I had a reason to go up there. R and his wife left, and I said something like, so, I've caught up with R, I've caught up with K; will I get a chance to catch up with you? He was like, there's really nothing to report; I'm still working both jobs. It sounds like he's working the whole day every day he's in town--he'll open at one place and close at another. I said something like, well, you realize we didn't just talk about work; we talked about other stuff too. I miss having conversations. The bird doesn't talk to me. So...I ended up asking if he had a break or something, and he didn't have another one tonight, so I think I said it didn't have to be tonight, just whenever, gimme a call. He said, well, I open tomorrow...Dude, whatever. Let me know.
I may just be getting a call tomorrow. I know, I shouldn't get my hopes up, but the prospect is tantalizing.
But...hell...I saw him. In some ways, just that was enough to make my day better.
I expect you all to be crossing your fingers and toes for me. If not, I will hunt you down and beat you and blame it on my oversized pituitary gland. :) (See, I will milk that for all it's worth.)
*insert happy squeeing sound*
Heh. And, of course, it wasn't how I expected it, but then again it never is.
So I actually had a reason to go to the store; K called me around 4:20 and said she'd take her break at 5. That gave me just enough time to finish cooking dinner, scarf down some shrimp, get ready, and go. I was slightly early. I parked a little ways down in the lot and happened to notice his car as I was walking up to the store...and there was somebody in it. Ha, you have to be kidding me. (He'd often take his breaks in the car; I didn't know if he was on break or if he was just getting there.) I went over and knocked on the window and said hi and told him I was here to see K on her break. He got a little worried that maybe he was late getting back--they're very particular about who does what went. Everything is very scheduled. But he was fine, and I saw K right away, so she told me to sit in the cafe until she finished what she was doing.
It just so happened that it took her 5-10 minutes to join me, and Pa. was working the cafe...that was a little weird. There were a LOT of people back there--four--so for a little while he went off and did something else before coming back. I was far enough away that I couldn't really talk to him, but that was okay. K and I sat and talked for a while; I told her of my hospital misadventure. She's had her own medical issues, so it was good to talk to her about that. Also, she reminded me that the new insurance levels kick in April 1st, so at least my hospital stay was covered under my old stuff. Phew. (The company changed around the insurance, and since I knew I wasn't going to work for the company anymore I didn't do anything with it, completely forgetting about COBRA. I have no idea what sort of coverage I'll have, but I was relieved to hear that this month is still the old way.)
I was getting to the end of the story when R and his wife came in. I sent out an email to everyone earlier in the week and he replied today, so I knew he was planning on coming out here; somehow I thought he'd be in in the morning. Nope. So we ended up with half our old staff in the cafe for a while. He regaled us of tales of Oakbrook, where he is now; he's not actually part of their staff, so he sort of gets to do his own thing, mainly merchandising. He was actually at the store on an errand, so when K went to clock back in he went with her to find whomever he needed to see. When he came back he went over to talk to Pa., who at that time was sipping his coffee; R was like, shouldn't you be working hard over here? (By then he was the only one behind the counter.) R's wife and I could hear him talking across the cafe and we started laughing.
It was really nice to see all of them. I probably spent another hour talking to R and his wife after K went back to work (and K wanted to get together with me again; I think she'll call me next Friday, same deal). When we finished, R went back up to say goodbye to Pa. K had left her plate on the table, so I took it back up to him...that's right, I had a reason to go up there. R and his wife left, and I said something like, so, I've caught up with R, I've caught up with K; will I get a chance to catch up with you? He was like, there's really nothing to report; I'm still working both jobs. It sounds like he's working the whole day every day he's in town--he'll open at one place and close at another. I said something like, well, you realize we didn't just talk about work; we talked about other stuff too. I miss having conversations. The bird doesn't talk to me. So...I ended up asking if he had a break or something, and he didn't have another one tonight, so I think I said it didn't have to be tonight, just whenever, gimme a call. He said, well, I open tomorrow...Dude, whatever. Let me know.
I may just be getting a call tomorrow. I know, I shouldn't get my hopes up, but the prospect is tantalizing.
But...hell...I saw him. In some ways, just that was enough to make my day better.
I expect you all to be crossing your fingers and toes for me. If not, I will hunt you down and beat you and blame it on my oversized pituitary gland. :) (See, I will milk that for all it's worth.)