It's Taken Care Of

-
In the middle of a crowded restaurant in Brunswick, Maine, I sat alone with my copy of the USA Today.

I've never felt weird eating by myself.

It's part of the gig.

I ordered.

Nothing, fancy.

I was in Maine so I had a lobster roll, but it wasn't overly expensive.

In fact, it didn't cost me a dime!

I have to take you back a little bit.

As I entered the restaurant I walked by a table that was occupied by two thirty-something women.

One of them waved at me.

I wondered if there was something wrong with her.

I was wearing the fleece I had checked the construction jobs along with a pair of jeans that are pretty worn.

As I was eating my salad, one of the women turned and laughed.

They were a good three tables away, so while it was curious, I didn't give it a second thought.

I was reading about the NBA All-Star game.

I never looked up again.

They left.

A little while later, I was getting agitated.

"Can I get the check?"

"Those women paid it for you," she said.

"What? Why??"

"I don't know," she said.

I might have asked again:

"Why?"

The waitress shrugged.

You wanna' know the bad news?

I thought that it couldn't be possible.

Why would someone be nice to me for no reason?

I was looking over my shoulder as I went to the parking lot and got behind the wheel of the rental car.

Nothing suspicious.

I called my beautiful wife.

"Could they have recognized you from your books?" she asked.

(That has actually happened to me before).

"Wouldn't they say something?" I asked. "Maybe they thought I was strikingly handsome."

"They probably thought you were homeless."

My wife is a great fan of mine.

Whatever.

It freaked me out a little.

Thank you, ladies!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I be...
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C...
Read more

Eyes on the Horizon

-
Image
My sister’s book is out there! Go get it!! It makes me so proud to see the book on Amazon, knowing that it’s very, very great! It’s been a long, long time since we were out in California, brainstorming my stories long before they were published. Carrie Lynn was writing, writing and writing some more through the years and I kept telling her… …”Go for it!” Well, she did!  To amazing results. Of course I was able to read the book as it was being put together, but I ordered a copy from Amazon yesterday and can’t wait to read it again. The shoe is on the other foot now as I have been sitting on a lot of my writing lately. I plan on getting it out there before the end of 2024, but for now: Carrie takes center stage! And it’s so great… …go get a copy!
Read more