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The Waitress Fom Hell Richard Koss
Adam’s Place was a typical little breakfast spot you might find in any small town or suburban community. They were open seven days a week from 6 am until 2 pm. They served breakfast specials until 11 am, while featuring a good lunch menu of sandwiches, salads, great homemade soup, and full course entree’s like pork chops, Salisbury steak and meatloaf.
Bart Mackenzie was a frequent patron of Adam’s Place. His service station was only a few blocks away and he often met his old friends and customers for breakfast at Adam’s during the week and even on weekends when he was in town.
The owner of Adam’s place was a hard working Lebanese named Gus. He and his wife were both there to open the place up every morning. They employed about six waitresses including Gus’ daughter MaryAnn, who took care of the register and helped out the waitresses when they got real busy.
Bart Mackenzie had no special preference for any of the waitresses but he would not sit at one of Emma’s tables. Emma was in her seventies and had been with Gus from day one. The last few years her feet began to hurt and she he had gotten slow and forgetful. Bart was known for being a great tipper but he was also very particular and he soon lost his patience with Emma. In fact, they had several heated exchanges over the years and one day Emma and Bart mutually agreed that she should never wait on him again. Since then, Bart was careful not to sit down at one of her tables.
The telephone woke Bart up on New Year’s morning. It was his gambling buddy Paul, calling to ask what his best bet was for the afternoon’s bowl games. “Right now I’m starving and I need some breakfast to get me going.” His friend countered, “Okay, I’ll meet you at Adam’s in a half hour.”
New Year’s day was one of the busiest for Adam’s Place. Very few restaurants were open but Adam’s had become a New Year’s breakfast tradition for many of its customers.
Bart walked through Adam’s front door at 10:30. The place was packed and people were standing, waiting for tables. Fortunately, he saw Paul had already arrived and was seated at a corner table for two. As soon as he sat down, Bart realized he had a problem. It was one of Emma’s tables.
Before Bart could tell Paul about the seating problem, MaryAnn was at their table with two cups and a coffee pot. As she poured their coffee she said, “ I’ll take your orders. Emma says you always complain about her service, so I want to keep the peace and make sure everybody’s happy.” She smiled at Bart and proceeded to take their orders.
Paul and Bart were not close personal friends. They were strictly gambling acquaintances and had spent many hours on the golf course, trips to Las Vegas, the race track, and comparing notes on their football bets over the years. Paul knew very little about Bart’s personal life but was aware of his obsession with good service. “That old bat must really get your goat.”
“You can say that again. If I ask for eggs over medium, they come back rock hard. If I tell her wheat toast, I get rye. I tell her bacon, I get sausage. I say no potatoes, she brings potatoes. And when everything is done right, she’s so slow picking up the order, by the time it gets here, everything is cold. Believe me, she’s the waitress from hell! She’s too old. She shouldn’t even be working.”
“Maybe she needs the money.” Paul made an effort to be sympathetic.
Bart shook his head. “Trust me, she doesn’t need the money.”
After kibitzing about their bowl game picks, the pro football playoff games, and bragging about their latest race track adventures, Paul insisted on picking up the check and went to the register while Bart headed toward the front door.
As MaryAnn rang up his check, Emma walked behind the counter to pick up an order. Paul took a five from his wad of money and turned toward her. “ Don’t mind Bart, he’s just too particular. Happy New Year.” He handed Emma the five and his chin nearly hit the floor as she accepted the money and laughed. “ Oh you’re not telling me anything new. After all, he is my son.”
READER'S REVIEWS (2) DISCLAIMER: STORYMANIA DOES NOT PROVIDE AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWS. ALL REVIEWS ARE PROVIDED BY NON-ASSOCIATED VISITORS, REGARDLESS OF THE WAY THEY CALL THEMSELVES.
"A nice little holiday story...warm feeligns and such!" -- e. rocco caldwell.
"Wow!! This story really made you think. I mean you never expected that ending. It just makes one realize how much we should care for others because we just never know when that person may be an important person in our life. Sometimes one needs to understand that people don't always work at a place for the money." -- alicia martinez.
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