Free Dessert from the French Man

It has been a tough few days at the store...a tad too slow except for the girl scout troop that I hosted last night.  And since I am supposedly getting together with The Boat Builder tomorrow, time for a night out solo at my favorite place!

I walk into the french/spanish restauraunt, and there is only one person at the bar.  I sit down and order what I had two weeks ago.  It's the same bartender and he says "it's nice to see you again".  The long haired waiter sees me and practically falls over himself, takes my hand and covers his face.  He says he has forgotten my name.  He asked the bartender what it was, he said he never got my name.  So we exchanged names.  The bartender is Andrew and the long haired waiter boy is..."Hadar"??  It starts to get really busy, ALL the seats at the bar fill.  A couple to my left, a young lady by herself to my right.  She starts up a conversation with a random young man who squeezes in next to her.  I overhear that today was the restaurant's fifth year anniversary!

The French owner/manager (?), is there (with the amazing eyes). He recognizes me and says hello.  He's gotten to know that I own the shop down the road, and every time AJ and I went there for dinner he'd almost always be the one to wait on us.  As it gets busier, the French Man is running all over the place, making drinks, seating tables, talking with regulars.  He catches my eye often, maybe because I keep looking at him and grinning, as he is dancing around and making funny stretching movements as if his back hurts.  He looks at me, "Are you okay?".  I wonder what he saw in my face, my eyes have been red and burning all day.  Perhaps he's wondering why I'm there by myself.  Yes I am okay, I tell him.  He comes over and asks me about business "Eez eet bizy for you now?  Ze bizy season?".  I tell him it's been a slow few days, and he says he hopes it gets better.  I tell the bartender that I'll pass on dessert.  The French Man apparently made note of that.  A few minutes later The French Man places a dessert in front of me with a wink, and a finger to his lips to say "Shh!".

There are a few familiar faces at the bar now.  A man on the end who I had a conversation with a couple years ago, and on the corner, an older couple who I knew from my childhood, as they were friends with my aunt and uncle.  I thank the French Man for dessert.  I wave goodbye and smile at the long haired waiter boy and told him I'll be back.  I say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Weir on my way out.

There were a couple other things that had happened...like chit chatting with the couple next me, and mis-understanding the French Man when he first said hello to me.  "Arrre you cheeething out?"  Excuse me, cheating out?  "No...Chillling out!".

Time to confirm my "date" with the boat builder tomorrow night...