The Waiter Chronicles: Grandpa's Return

After four weeks in his native Mexico, Grandpa returned to the ristorante last Wednesday. But even before he had re-donned his apron and checked his pen supply, Grandpa's presence was felt. My schedule for the week was light on dinners, and the ones I had were established duds: Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday (you wouldn't think it, but Saturday is the slowest night of the week). Monday and Tuesday nights produced a total of two tables between them, but Saturday saved the week with six tables.

Not that the schedule mattered all that much. Being that it was the last week of August, business was slow every night. It was so bad that the few guests we did have couldn't help but comment on the cavernous emptiness of the dining room. "Are you guys always this slow?" they would ask, with a look of suspicion. "No," you answer. "August is always slow in the restaurant business." You say this hoping that didn't notice the half-full dining room at the other ristorante around the corner.

This week's schedule is a little bit kinder, including dinner on Thursday and Friday, as well as a special event fundraiser breakfast on Saturday. Seriously, if this week would have looked like last week, Grandpa's return would quickly become a cause for irritation. As it is, I can pat him on the back and say, "Hola!" without wanting to push him right out the door.