He started by ordering
a glass of Yellow Tail Shiraz
$6.99 per bottle
to which I informed him
that unfortunately
we didn't carry that
and upon further inspection
he realized
the cheapest glass of wine
was $9.95.

I guided him to a Shiraz
that was more than double
the price of that bottle
and again he inquired
just to be sure
that we didn't carry it
and I reaffirmed
apologizing but
assured him of the quality
of my recommendation.

I explained the menu a bit
after bringing their beverages
and with eagerness
he told his wife
to pick whatever she wanted
"it's your birthday"
he wanted everything perfect
for her to have a good time
to eat something, perhaps,
they normally did not.

I took the food order
nothing overly extravagant
yet enjoying their night
the meal progressed
full of smiles and good food
until it came time
for dessert
and I can't remember
if it is what they ordered
or if I just brought it out

but with the chocolate soufflé
I put a candle in
and wished his wife
a happy birthday
as I placed it before her
and it seemed like his shock
was almost as much as hers
and undoubtedly they talked
wondering how I knew
it was a day of celebration.

I dropped the check
and they paid
20% tip on a modest bill
roughly $90 per person
and as they left
he came up to me
and palmed me a tip
asking how I knew
it was her birthday
and I explained how.

Once they left
I looked at my hand
to see two $1 bills
and at first I chuckled
but quickly realized
how much this meal meant
to both of them
and that maybe that $2 tip
meant a lot to him
so it did to me, too.

10/29/2008

Author's Note: Does the title work?

Posted on 10/30/2008
Copyright © 2026 Jeffrey Parren