PAD 16 Food Establishment

Dad’s Favorite Restaurant

I forget the name of the place.

It was between two tiny towns  

in rural Pennsylvania.

Dad didn’t like crowds

so it was his favorite spot,

since it was usually empty.

There’s a reason for that.

One time I ordered a chef salad.

Long after Mom and Dad were served,

we got our waitresses attention

who had disappeared in back

to read a novel or something,

and she said they were out of lettuce

so Jimmy went to get some at the local market.

My chef salad finally arrived,

fresh lettuce soaked in French dressing

with a few things sprinkled on top.

Mom and Dad waited patiently

while I ate the edible parts.

It has since gone out of business.

I wonder why.

Now, when I’m eating out and the order’s slow,

I say, “Jimmy must have gone out for the lettuce.”