a piece of my day off
I took the day off of work. I've been wanting to eat lunch at Kuby's for a while, and I was happy to have the opportunity this afternoon. I sat at the counter next to an elderly man who looked friendly. I ordered the "Brat on a Bun" and a Dr.Pepper (with the free cup). There was a waiter in there doing impressions of other workers. Though I didn't know any of them, I found it quite amusing and laughed along. The man next to me laughed, too.
I pulled out my book, "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac to read while I ate. The man started up a conversation when he saw my book. He was excited to see a "youngster" reading such a classic novel. He asked what year I was in college, to which I replied that I had been out of school for several years and was just on a little vacation for the weekend. We talked about the book a little more and then about "The Sun Also Rises." He asked about my parents.
He got up to go pay his tab, and I overheard my waitress talking with the waiter who had been doing impressions. The word "queers" pierced my ears, and I turned my head. My waitress quickly rebuked the other waiter saying, "We are not to judge others. Jesus teaches us to love and not place judgment on others. We're not going to discuss this anymore." She walked away.
The elderly man walked back to leave a tip, and I was glad to see him one last time. He put a $5 bill down next to my hand and said, "This is to cover your meal...since you're a great reader and all." I smiled and looked up at him, and told him he was very sweet and kind, and that I appreciated his offer. And when I looked into the elderly man's eyes, I could see he had an admiration for my youth, yet a simultaneous complacency for his age. We said our goodbyes and I picked up my book again.
I looked up from the pages and examined the steins that were displayed on two shelves that ran the length of the little restaurant. The lighting was dim in there. I thought about my grandfather (my mom's father) who passed away 2 years ago. He collected steins. I remembered what a great man he was.
It was just nice to be there. To laugh with strangers and become acquainted with new faces. I think we get so caught up in our own lives that we forget that there are other humans sitting right next to us.
posted by Sara @ 3:56 PM
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