There's one experience
that pops into my head
from time to time
that happened during
my first month
of waiting tables in NYC.

Whether it be the stress
of being broke
or spending more
than I ever had before
just getting to work,
the first few months
were indeed the hardest.

During a shift
within the first weeks
during another busy night
I grabbed a side order
of Au Gratin Potatoes
and ventured off
to serve them out.

I got to the table
and successfully served
3 out of the first 4
without much difficulty
reaching across the table
leaning on one foot even.

The gentleman closest
and undoubtedly easiest
to serve said side to
proved to be
the most eventful...
maybe my own icebreaker:

I scooped a spoonful
of the cheesy delight
and noticed a chunk
trying to abandon ship
and instead of reverse
I thrust the spoon forward

trying to deceive gravity
and hopefully reach
without spilling a bite,
but gravity was too smart
and wanted to teach me
a lesson in physics

and in that millisecond
from serving dish to plate
the potato piece
decided it needed to cool off
dive bombing
into this man's water!

This yellow inverse ice cube
then just floated
swimming laps
while staring at me
wondering what I was going to do
about this turn of events.

So naturally
I finished serving the potatoes
let out a hearty chuckle
and told the man
I would be right back
with a new glass of water.

In this instance
I realized that no matter
how serious and tough
life can sometimes be
that I was going to be okay
and I could hold my own.

10/29/2008

Posted on 10/29/2008
Copyright © 2026 Jeffrey Parren