Feeling sick and wrapped up in my own head, I decided to treat myself to Chueys. As walked up to the bar to place my to go order, it was the same comforting safe place it has always been but everyone there had a foul wind about them. I felt some confusion as a man stared at me as I sat down and he almost pleadingly said Anyone ever tell you you look like Paul McCartney?. A woman wandered in and out of the building muttering to herself. I struggled to get the attention of the bartender to order before the restaurant closed. The bartender meanwhile tried to coral the wandering conversationalist. My girlfriend has cancer. I just wanted to hide in my own head and be quiet. I looked nervously all over the bar at anything but him. Then....I looked right at him and sighed and said. Well, my name is Paul, so I can understand your confusion. Nothing good about cancer. Are you here getting food to take back to her? We talked for a few minutes as he told me about her illness. One of those moments where I wished I knew less about medicine. I smiled at the good memories and looked concerned when I should have and just listened until the bartender returned. I began to take my order and suddenly the woman descended on the bar expounding the notion that someone had stolen her chips and deciding finally that it had been the bartender she had been talking to all along. I struggled to complete my order and avoid the maniacal whirlwind. There was a warm pressure on my shoulder as someone lay their hand on me from behind. Thanks Paul. I turned around but he was walking out the door. It was only a moment but it was as comforting as any hug I have ever had. I wish I had called out and said something like wait, are you ok? but I dont even know his name. When I left with my food, the manager was sitting at a table with lost woman. She had a bag a chips for her and was talking in soothing tones. The woman said thanks, and got up to walk away. Things are a little tense right now, People are having trouble. I should watch for more chances to help out.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 03:57:52 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015