At lunch
No really, that's all I'm doing right now. Eating lunch.
Of course I had to wait for the rather large woman to belt out my name. "My order must be ready." I thought. " But does she have to yell at me?"
A few senior citizens in the corner, unaquainted, separate tables, now have something in common. Me. Thanks to large counter lady, they both know my name.
I do not get to participate in this little game however, as I was not present whe they recieved their order.
A family through the door. No doubt, in a few moments time I'll know at least one of thier names. Nice little community we are gathering here today. All thanks to one lady with a big voice.
The family orders and take their seats. More people have come and gone but I am now distracted. A couple in their 30's. Three small children, a boy, the oldest, and twin girls. Mom's got a bit of a jelly roll goin' on but for the most part looks like she's still trying.
The kids are doing kid things.
The father, bringing up the rear as far as the counter, proceeds to the front of the pack after footin' the bill, past his family at the soda fountain, and snaggs a table. Alone, kinda skinny and a little hunched over, he stares off into space. Polo shirt. Blue jeans. Malliolis covered, but just barely. Looks not tired, not worried or troublesome. What is it?
He appears bored.
Mom, back at the soda stop, is handling business as usual. Three kids running around, calmly watching all of them while filling the cup. She seems well versed at this. Used to it. Routine. Not smiling though. Not agitated. Not angry. Maybe not bored either.
Let's go with disappointed. A deep disappointment.
A few bites of my sammich later, and they are all seated as a family. Mom is asking the children questions. I'm not really listening so I don't know what is said. Rather, back to the father, I am distracted by how uninterested he seems to be. I begin to think about how he and his wife haven't so much as made eye contact the entire time I have known them. Five or six minutes. But then again, I don't really know them, the big lady hasn't shouted their order at them yet.
I am angry.
The bastard is blessed with such a family, and he's not even paying any attention to them. Lost in his own little self.
I settle down quickly. Give him the benefit of the doubt. It's thursday. It's lunch time, how come he's here with his family? Why isn't he at work? No job? Laid off?
"Brian.! Your Oder is ready!"
Ahhh. Brian. Welcome to the group. You dick. Now interact with your children so I can feel good about lunch today.
( to be continued...)
Of course I had to wait for the rather large woman to belt out my name. "My order must be ready." I thought. " But does she have to yell at me?"
A few senior citizens in the corner, unaquainted, separate tables, now have something in common. Me. Thanks to large counter lady, they both know my name.
I do not get to participate in this little game however, as I was not present whe they recieved their order.
A family through the door. No doubt, in a few moments time I'll know at least one of thier names. Nice little community we are gathering here today. All thanks to one lady with a big voice.
The family orders and take their seats. More people have come and gone but I am now distracted. A couple in their 30's. Three small children, a boy, the oldest, and twin girls. Mom's got a bit of a jelly roll goin' on but for the most part looks like she's still trying.
The kids are doing kid things.
The father, bringing up the rear as far as the counter, proceeds to the front of the pack after footin' the bill, past his family at the soda fountain, and snaggs a table. Alone, kinda skinny and a little hunched over, he stares off into space. Polo shirt. Blue jeans. Malliolis covered, but just barely. Looks not tired, not worried or troublesome. What is it?
He appears bored.
Mom, back at the soda stop, is handling business as usual. Three kids running around, calmly watching all of them while filling the cup. She seems well versed at this. Used to it. Routine. Not smiling though. Not agitated. Not angry. Maybe not bored either.
Let's go with disappointed. A deep disappointment.
A few bites of my sammich later, and they are all seated as a family. Mom is asking the children questions. I'm not really listening so I don't know what is said. Rather, back to the father, I am distracted by how uninterested he seems to be. I begin to think about how he and his wife haven't so much as made eye contact the entire time I have known them. Five or six minutes. But then again, I don't really know them, the big lady hasn't shouted their order at them yet.
I am angry.
The bastard is blessed with such a family, and he's not even paying any attention to them. Lost in his own little self.
I settle down quickly. Give him the benefit of the doubt. It's thursday. It's lunch time, how come he's here with his family? Why isn't he at work? No job? Laid off?
"Brian.! Your Oder is ready!"
Ahhh. Brian. Welcome to the group. You dick. Now interact with your children so I can feel good about lunch today.
( to be continued...)