It took Sweet Wife all of ten minutes to decide on her selection. Me, six seconds. I wanted the seafood platter, a lot for one. The cafe was cool, felt good.
The tall waitress returned. Asked, "Where's Little Bit."
Here's the thing. We didn't know the tall waitress, never seen her before in our lives. We've patronized the cafe on many occasions, and yes, with Little Bit a few times, but we'd never revealed our names.
I was shocked. Sweet Wife gave me the look. I knew I was in trouble.
I glanced up and asked, "Do you know us?"
"No."
Then, "You asked about Little Bit."
"Yes," she said, "Just wanted to say hello to her. She's such a beautiful little girl. Seems sweet." Sweet Wife had a very tight smile on her face. I felt like I'd been punched with a rock.
The waitress walked away with our orders. I looked at Sweet Wife, asked, "What the heck just happened?" She said, "I don't know but I bet she reads your blog."
Me, all defensive, "I've never met this woman in my life, I swear."
Her, "Sure, I bet you haven't. Then how did she'd know we're Little Bit's grandparents?"
Good question. The tall waitress returned. Smiled and said, "Stephen, Sweet Wife, what would you both like a drink?"
Okay, now I'd had enough. I said, "Excuse me, but have we been introduced in the past?"
"Oh, no, but I know you. I've read your blog for about six months now and I just love the way you write and I just love Little Bit, and I just love how you write with passion, and I'm learning so much from you. You read a lot of books don't 'ya."
All red faced, I am....from under the table Sweet Wife has kicked me at least three times. I sputtered, "Thank you. That's very kind of you. But please, how did you recognize us?"
I'm willing to bet not two people outside my family and friends are aware I write a blog. She continued, "From Susan, the weekend waitress, you know, the blonde with the curly hair. She reads your blog too and she recognized Little Bit from the picture on your blog. She pointed you out to me. She's the one that told me about your blog and said she just loves Little Bit too."
Sweet Wife is pissed....trust me, I can tell when she's mad. She puts on one of her looks and I know my goose is cooked.
I drop the subject and the tall waitress walks away. When our food arrives we eat in silence. I leave a generous tip and afterwards we walk, in silence, back to our car. We drive home, in silence. We park in our garage and inside our home Sweet Wife turns to me and said, "Take her picture off the blog," she punches me in the chest with her finger, "do it now."
I said, "I'll think about it."
Stephen
