Table 13

Chapter 113 

Sam and Simmy pulled up to a traffic light and Sam looked over and said, "He looks familiar! Oh, it's Irish Bill. Simmy rolled down the window and so did Bill. A few words of comradery were exchanged and Simmy said, "I didn't know you had such piercing blue eyes!" Irish Bill grinned and just a touch of brogue was evident as he said, "Aw yah, the ladies love them!" Simmy laughed and thought, 'It's Christmas, it can only be Christmas,' so she responded with, "Even I'm twinkling!" Old Irish Bill laughed, the gap in his front teeth and the mariner style hat combined to make him look like a longshoreman, straight off the docks. The light changed to green and Simmy remembered a small souvenir spoon that Old Bill and his wife had brought back from London over 25 years ago. Sam had brought it home one day and said, "Bill and his wife brought this back for you. They said they really wanted one from Ireland but they had to settle for one from London." "I don't think they meant it just for me, we'll use it for the sugar bowl." Simmy laughed at the memory, now. Old Bills' wife had died many years ago already but Simmy still had this small remembrance of her.

.. Perfect strangers on the sidewalk singing songs...' Okay, so Simmy was the only crazy person singing songs on this sidewalk and, ahem, yes, there was nothing perfect about Simmy and yes,... sigh, most of the people staring at her and Sam were hoping they could remain strangers. Snicker! Giggle! Sing it 'Sawyer Brown!' "You can tell by the way the kids are all grinning, By the size of the crowds in and out of church, When there's this many men out shopping with the women... 

You know it's not just another day off from work. It's Christmas!"

Sam had suggested they check out Simmy's favorite store... "It's Christmas! It can only be Christmas!"

While in the store, Simmy looked at the line-ups and decided her journal could be purchased at Hallmark, where the line-ups wouldn't be this long.

She noticed a man with a scowl on his face and had the temerity to say extra cheerfully, "You don't look very happy!"

The gentleman looked at her, the scowl deepened before he replied, "No, I'm not!" But then, the scowl was chased away by a cocky grin.  "People smile even when it's against their nature!"

"And they even get along in the legislature,..." 

Of course they will, now that Lamoureux will be there.

After doing mostly 'people or shopper watching' Sam and Simmy went to Mongo's Grill. Sam grudgingly agreed to go. His acquiescence sounded something like, "I hardly ever get take- out hamburgers. I will always want a take- out hamburger. I'll try this place though, if you want to go there."

"It's Christmas! It can only be Christmas!"

 "When the news hunts down something nice to say..."

Romance Designer reporting from Mongo's Grill... 

A couple went into the restaurant today and it was a comedy of errors that was later discussed in the coffee room over lemonade and gales of laughter. Information known only to staff, this couple, inadvertently, sat at                                                                      Table 13-

The sweet young waitress, Julianna V. smiled at the Romance Designer Duo as she politely offered them a little pamphlet with menu suggestions for the uninitiated diner. Sam followed one of the recipes, to the letter, and Simmy couldn't help but yelp, "Nooo,..." a couple of times, as Sam put lots of hot peppery sauce on his dish. Sam just kept on assembling his pre-programmed menu. He was fearless and Simmy was afraid, very afraid,... see Sam doesn't even know what ingredients go into stuff. He can cook about 5 different things very well. None of them contain hot peppers. Oy!

Simmy noticed that the staff were all young and enthusiastic and capable of cooking and doing Star Wars imitations, at the same time... thank you Zach, et.al.!

After they were finished eating, and paying for the upgrade on their meals... Ahem! Tip to you! Bamboo is great for furniture, but food... not so much! Simmy definitely would keep it in the 'flooring' category!

While in the bathroom, Simmy had a chat with Brittaney, asking her lots of questions about the restaurant and how long she'd worked there. Brittaney admitted she had worked there for three years already. Simmy suggested that 'as a first- hire,' she must have attracted similarly wonderful people to work there... the saying, 'You attract what you are' proving to be true! It almost seemed like Brittaney was abashed with that compliment!

Simmy asked for a couple of extra mints and Brittaney smiled and said, "Yes!" (It's Christmas!)

They headed across the street to watch 'The Town.' It wasn't the happiest of movies but it did have an ending that could be summed up with, 'Giving is such a part of living,...' "Oh, I wish it could be Christmas all year long."

As they pulled into the driveway, Sam all but pushed Simmy out of the way as he made a mad dash for the bathroom. Ten minutes later he reappeared and said, "I don't think I like mongo...lian food."

Oy!