Bernie and Karen knew I am leery of driving on the ice rink of city streets and needed to get out. They volunteered to meet me for dinner, and suggested a restaurant less than a mile from my hovel.
I got there early, one of the few tables occupied. The severe cold is bad for business, the waitress explained, but she liked being at work because her apartment doesn't get over 58 degrees. I told her that we had the same problem in my office and I learned I could type with certain Isotoner gloves. She laughed with recognition. She has indoor and outdoor gloves.
The apartment is really adorable, the price is right and spring has to get here eventually she laughed. I agreed I had my own reasons for freezing my fingers (to say nothing of larger areas) for minimal pay.
She talked about good things in the neighborhood and how much she loves the city. She mentioned the symphony before I mentioned I worked there and we commisserated about how much worse the political and taxing climate is than anything the weatherman could possibly present.
But she mentioned again how much she loved the city and how the people here really care. She spoke with eloquence and spirit, likely a college graduate with a building profession or passion she supplements waiting tables.
I found myself thinking this kid could make it anywhere, but she chose to take the harder road and do it here.
There were at least 70 dishes on the newsprint menu, but she pointed me to the special. Choice of pasta, choice of sauce, choice of meat, salad with a half dozen dressing choices, fresh bread and butter, choice of ice cream - spumoni- italian ice, and beverage of choice (beer, wine, pop, coffee or tea) for $8.95.
She had just headed back to the kitchen when Bernie and Karen walked in, I got up and hugged each of them... delighted to report on the special.
The food was terrific, the conversation even better, the laughter easy.
This is why I came home.


Copyright 2004 Judi Griggs