Can I help you?
Just one moment, I responded as I waited for Madison to make a selection.
Madison (our 8-year-old) and I have a standing breakfast date every Saturday morning. It’s one of my favorite parts of the week. We’ve learned so much about each other and from each other during these special weekly moments.
Today would prove to be the same…
Can I help you? The manager’s voice raised slightly, almost pleading. No one else was standing in line – glancing around, the restaurant was mostly empty. She was talking to us.
The phone began ringing. The manager calls back – Someone answer that! Two rings. Three. Will somebody answer the phone?! – borderline yelling.
Madison paused a few more moments as crew members shuffled around cleaning floors, doors, air conditioning vents, walls, trash cans. It was cleaning day.
The manager sighed then shifted. Then one last emphatic attempt to coax me into ordering – I’m ready to take your order.