So I just got off the long weekend.  Normally my 3 day work week
allows me 12 hours between shifts.  But being that it is the freakin
christmaskwanzahanukkah season everyone in the family is in the usual
drama over drive mode and I've been getting calls from the sisters,
the brothers in-law, nephews and nieces asking for help with this or
that, housing for a night while stopping in town en rout to another
destination...typical holiday stuff.....

I get home check my email, check in ASD fire off a few replies then
head off to bed for the first full day of rest in several
days.....ring! ring! pick up the phone- WHAT!

Hi Honey! Are you awake? (said in irritatingly perky cheery I so want
to kill that person voice)

I am now(low irritated growl)

Great!  I want to go to the steak house for dinner!  Their serving
grilled Lobster Tails, your favorite!

(grabs alarm clock what freakin time is it? its been 5 hours I just
closed my freakin eyes...growl.....)

Sure sweaty come and pick me up. (sitting up looking across the bed
and seeing the cats sitting and I kid you not, with an expression of
relief like "thank God he knows WE didn't wake this time.")

No no honey, I want you to meet me there.

mumbling damn it I'm gonna...what was that dear?..nothing sweaty I'll
meet you there, love ya bye.

arrive at the steak house.....get seated...spouse won't stop being
happy and perky....just want to reach across the table and....or lay
my head on the table catch 40 winks....waitress arrives, spouse gives
order, I start to give mine...

Look I know this will cost extra and I don't care about that but what
I see on your menu is that your grilled lobster tails only come paired
with your steaks.

waitress: yes

me: I don't want a steak, I want to turn the lobster into a meal in
itself.  So can I get 4 lobster tails grilled the same way you have
them with the steaks, leave off the rice, give me steamed veggies, a
house salad with oil and vinegar dressing, a glass of water and a diet
coke.

waitress: I'll have to check if that's allowed. (walks off without
another word)

10 minutes later she comes back with the drinks and says I am sorry
sir but the cook says we can't do that.  You have to order a steak in
order to get the lobster.

me: can I speak with your manager?

waitress: uh is there is a problem?

me:  There will be if I can't speak with your manager.

Waitress: in huff..just a moment sir.

Manager: sir can I help, yes sir your waitress tells me, I explain the
above. The manager is looking at me strangely.  When I finish he asks,
is your name Mack?

Me: yes. do we know each other?

Manager: you used to cook at the diner where my mother would go for
lunch every Sunday.  I used to come with her sometimes.  You used to
spoil her rotten.  she missed you when you quit and stopped cooking.

Me: who is your mother?

Manager: Mrs Gail.

Me:  mother Gail?  how is she?!?

Richard: She died 2 months ago.

Me:  I am so sorry.

Richard: it was expected at her age. she died at home in her own bed
though.

Richard and I in unison: right where she wanted to be.

Richard: smiling, there is no rule that says you have to order a
steak, give me a minute with your food.

salads are delivered, eaten cleared. refills on the drinks.

Richard comes walking out with his staff in tow, spouse meal is set
down my lobsters exactly as I ordered them are set down and a third
plate is set down and Richard joins us.  We eat and catch up, talk
about his mom, I tell him things about her he never knew, he tells me
things I didn't know, we  laugh, we cry.

when we finish we all walk to the register together, I tip the
waitress and Richard refuses to let me pay for the meal or even see
the check.  We hug. And say goodbye.

I tell my spouse how much I love and appreciate them and everything
they have ever done for me.

And I apologized for being an a.s hole.

my spouse tells me they love me when I am an a.s hole.