Category: Uncategorized

The Infamous Mary Ellen

Personal Yummy #59

Mary Ellen

Working the day shift, I heard through the grapevine about the infamous Mary Ellen, the kitchen manager and evening-shift cook.

But what was possibly hinted at more fearfully than she herself was her temper.

Yes, that’s right—her temper.

From what everyone told me, I eventually began to think that it was an otherworldly entity that floated about and covered the walls of the small, cramped—but nonetheless, cozy—kitchen of The Grill on Murray Avenue. Continue reading “The Infamous Mary Ellen” →

A Surprise Endearment

Personal Yummy #57

Red Abstract

I leave the bathroom, where I’ve just brushed out my long, wavy hair and applied a conservative spray of Baby Soft. As Bruce’s “Hungry Heart” greets me, I walk up to the bar. But I hesitate. It’s so crowded, regulars and coworkers laughing and having fun. Not a seat left. Except beside Nick. And he looks so different tonight, his night off, the night he goes out bowling with his league. He’s wearing gray sweatshorts, a ball cap on backwards, and a tasteful red wifebeater, which reveals the expensive gold chains he always wears around his neck. There’s a little bit of sweat on his temples, and his fingers are resting around one of the two awaiting shots in front of him. He picks it up and downs it, in a quite quick, skillful, and attractive fashion.

Oh, what the hell. Continue reading “A Surprise Endearment” →

The Meeting

Personal Yummy #55

Donuts

Three boxes of powdered and glazed donuts sit open on the bar. A pot of just-brewed coffee permeates the air. Nick, dressed in a blue fleece and a white ball cap and smelling good, sits facing us, his hands crossed.

“Well, guys,” he begins, “thank you for coming in.” He moves around on his stool a bit. “I realize it’s Sunday morning and everything, but I thought it’d be best to meet before we open later this afternoon… You know, to discuss some issues that have gotten quite out of hand.” Continue reading “The Meeting” →

A Family of Six

Personal Yummy #54

Cheeseburger

Mom, dad, grandmother, baby girl, and two little boys…

The front of the restaurant is empty, so I decide to put them there. As they wait, eyes upon me, the baby wriggling in the mother’s arms, I move the four-seater to the center of the space (it usually sits fairly close to the wall that lines the entranceway), and then add to it the two-seater that is normally next to the window. Continue reading “A Family of Six” →

A Rose-Covered Skirt and a Touch of Lipstick

Personal Yummy #53

Rose and LipstickI curl my hair in the elegant, gold-framed mirror in my living room—the TV on in the background—and I put on a bit of makeup. I wear my long, black, lacy skirt and my flowery purple top that I’ve had forever (fortunately, it still looks new).

It is a beautiful, warm evening at the beginning of October, so I decide to walk there. Besides, my unlimited subway pass expired a few days ago. Continue reading “A Rose-Covered Skirt and a Touch of Lipstick” →

After Work

Personal Yummy #52

After Work

Perhaps even better than working Saturdays with Adam and Anthony is spending time with them after work, the three of us sitting beside each other at the bar, eating, talking, and drinking; discussing the events or nonevents of the day; challenging each other to a shot of Jägermeister, tequila, Sambuca, or Goldschläger (a cinnamon-tasting, pretty liquor with gold flakes floating around in it); the achiness in my feet and the diligence of the day being replaced by and rewarded with a juicy burger, glistening, thick, hot french fries, a refreshing beer, and laughter; the popular music enhancing everything. Continue reading “After Work” →