Donna Meets Larry

by Donna Kirk on July 23, 2013

Last week my friend Chris and I were seated for lunch in a restaurant that was not even half full. It was noon. Perhaps the summer trade is not vigorous. But we had to flag down a passing staff to ask for our waiter. We were told Stan, our server, would arrive momentarily. Ten minutes later, Stan showed up with the diet cokes, ice and lime the first guy promised to bring. Our server said he’d be back momentarily to take our food order.

Ever notice that ‘momentarily’ is a word only used in restaurants?

In another ten minutes, Stan reappeared. We both ordered the same salad, and by now, our coke glasses were empty. In only five minutes, second cokes arrived. Twenty minutes later, the salads came. I guess it takes a while to sauté the chicken (a generous portion) for our Asian Chicken Salad.

Chris and I were nicely into our meals when we heard a loud voice call out. We looked up at each other and kept eating.

Moments later, another loud call.

“What was that?” Chris said.

“Matthew,” I answered. Chris frowned, a forkful of crispy won ton half way to her mouth.

Across the aisle from us a young man sat with two women. Usually I’m conscientious about people watching, especially in restaurants, but I missed this threesome.

“Larry, be quiet!” said one of the women. She looked about twenty. The lady who sat beside her was much older.

Larry had his back to me, but he was a big boy and filled his chair.

“Arrrrrgggg!” yelled Larry.

“Laaaarrrry….” The young woman’s voice was none too quiet either. Then she hissed under her breath, “Please shut up!”

Larry began to bounce up and down and call out regularly. He adjusted and readjusted his baseball cap and glasses.

“Come and sit beside me and tell me what the problem is,” said the young woman.

Larry shot out of his chair and plunked himself beside her. But she was busy texting.

I couldn’t resist. I got up and went over to their table.

“Hi Larry, my name’s Donna. You remind me of my son, Matthew. Service in this place stinks, doesn’t it?”

Larry made a beeline back to his seat.

The young woman looked up and put her phone down on the table. “Yes it does,” she said. “We were here just last week. Larry always orders his favourite, the grilled cheese sandwich, but they’ve taken it off the menu for the summer.”

Larry’s big hands gestured as he mumbled his displeasure.

“And,” continued the girl, “They won’t even make it for him.”

A plain grilled cheese sandwich. Larry and I both shook our heads.

I looked at the other lady. “Are you Larry’s mother?”

She smiled and nodded. I smiled back. “He looks just like you.”

She looked at her son. “Take your sunglasses off honey, so the lady can see your eyes.”

Beautiful eyes and a beautiful young man. Larry, you made my day.

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

Barb July 23, 2013 at 11:47 am

What a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing. You really make me want to be a better person. You are a blessing.

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jennyms July 26, 2013 at 11:14 am

sweet story donna. spread the love!!!

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Michelle Sim July 26, 2013 at 12:02 pm

Making me cry…

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Carolyn July 29, 2013 at 10:13 pm

You consistently get me with your loving and poignant stories. Such a gift!

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