I sit in this Mom & Pop Diner waiting for the waitress to take my order. Behind the counter is one cook, 2 waitresses and there is a waiter and waitress sitting at the end of the bar eating. I’m assuming their shift hasn’t began yet. People are coming and going to pick up food and place orders.
My son and I sit patiently. Waiting for the waitress who said just a moment 20 minutes ago to come back. She’s now at the counter taking the order of someone who walked in the door.
Normally I would have piped up and made it known that waiting this long is unacceptable for a paying patron. But what do I have to do today? I took the day off for court in hopes that I’d be having a celebration later. Nope. My overall mood is blah. And I’m guessing my aura is a grayish hue…
The gentleman next to me took a couple of phone calls. Just from looking at him I could tell he was a Vet. I take a good look at him and notice his Air Force hat. My son is quiet still and taps me to let me know he’s thirsty. I look up and all the waitresses are standing near each other chatting.
I motion for one of them to come to me. One lady looks at me in disgust. In my mind I say “Heffa…I know damn well you don’t have an attitude!” However what leaves my lips is totally different. I say “Ma’am we’ve been waiting for a while. I’ve had my order taken but I’d greatly appreciate it if I could get my drinks.” I’m asked twice what drinks I had. I calmly repeat my drinks. Finally my son is able to wet his whistle. I shake my head in disbelief and I just stare out the window.
I’m thinking. Not about how long I’ve waited for my food but just about this life. I’m trying to disassociate myself from court and that entire situation that is causing me to be in a blah mood. I want to scream and yell. I want to break shit. I want to shoot something. I just want to be destructive. On the inside I am so angry it is crazy.
The gentleman gets my attention and asks how long I’ve been waiting. I tell him I honestly lost track of time but I’ve been patient. He gets the attention of one of the waiters and asks about my order. Now I see that he either has ties to the restaurant or he’s an owner. One of the waitresses come to me to confirm my order.
You would not believe that they didn’t put in my order or it was lost. Either way my food had not been made. I put my head down.
I shouldn’t cry over food. I’m not wanting to cry about the food or the lack thereof. I’m just tired of life. I’m tired of not being heard, shadowed, and overlooked when I need to be visible. I’ve already been that loud, obnoxious, irritating, disrespectful, immature young woman. I made a change because I have a daughter. And how I once acted is not how I would like her to present herself in life.
They confirm my order was not entered. They ask for my order again. I close my eyes and I hold my hands under the table. I want to hit something or someone. I open my eyes and take a deep breath. I slowly tell the waitress my order. She apologizes and tells me it will be up shortly. The gentleman looks at me and says your food is free today. You will not pay after waiting this long and having to remind them. This is unacceptable. I know the owner and he is watching this place when he’s not here.
A gentleman to my right begins to tell me how the Air Force veteran is a great man and he has encountered him numerous times and still doesn’t know his name but knows he’s a genuinely good man and wonderful mentor. He spoke to me about conducting myself just as I did this morning in all facets of life. That there is a blessing in silence. We chatted for a little and then the waiter interrupted us with my food. He told me to enjoy and have a blessed day. I thanked him again, my son thanked him and we exited the restaurant.
After an interaction as such I would never return to an establishment. But I really liked this place before ownership changed. It may take a while but I will go back. In the meantime, I have to do something to lift my spirits…
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In My Unapologetic Life... 