TIRED TRAVELERS AND TIRED WAITRESS

The morning drive and the afternoon walk through the mission left Janice and Mazie with little energy or motivation for more activity requiring effort. Unwilling to drive at rush hour in unknown territory, too tired to walk far they settled on the first place they found, a non-elegant pizza place with dirty windows, iffy patrons at five of the eight not too clean tables. A tender looking waitress worked all the tables.

“Miss, you forgot my water.”

“Miss, this spoon is not clean.”

“How long does it take to nuke up lasagna?”

Janice picked at the salad of limp lettuce, pale tomatoes, rubbery cucumbers and browning celery. Mazie pushed her salad aside. “This is without question the worst excuse for a salad I ever saw.”

The pizza minimally acceptable they ate. Janice whispered, “I’d like more water, but...”

CRASH!! The waitress motionless before the lasagna covered floor. An overweight sweat browed man appeared waving a spatula. “You clumsy little heifer. Can’t you carry two plates?”

“Poor child,” Mazie said as they left. “But I did tip her really well. Ten dollars.”
Janice broke into laughter. “That’s why she opened the door for us with a big smile. “I gave her fifteen.”

Jewellee Cardwell

LikeShow more reactions

CommentShare

THEY REACHED ST AUGUSTINE

The short trip into St Augustine from the nearby town took longer than anticipated. Three wrong turns (GPS reading was not easy for either of them); two accidents; a traffic snarl from what they never. Until Janice and Mazie hobbled into their motel. Amazing how an air conditioned room and a bottle of ice water can soothe splintering spirits.

“It’s early still,” Mazie said. “Let’s check out the Ponce de Leon Mission. The desk said it’s right behind the motel.”

“Mazie, aren’t you tired?”

“Tired of sitting cooped up in the car. Walking will do us good.”

Tickets in hand they began their tour of the reconstructed 1513 Spanish Mission. Two hours on foot in the humid 93 degree weather took its toll. They had covered less than half the exhibit. On a bench under a huge live oak tree, with shoes kicked off they watched to hurrying tourists. Mazie burst into laughter. “You should have seen yourself when they fired that big canon. I thought you were going propel yourself all the way to the motel.”

“I didn’t expect it to be so loud.”

“And the Spanish shotgun. You jumped then too.”

“It was loud, but I think when it nearly tossed the rifleman on his behind I was startled.” Janice turned her head to prevent Mazie from seeing her scowl. “You know we saw probable less than half of the exhibit. But I am just too pooped to go on. Can we see the rest tomorrow?”

“You think they’ll let us use this same ticket?”

“Mazie, it doesn’t cost that much.”

VACATION PLANS ARE MADE

Barely 6 AM.

Janice was jarred from sleep. She stumbled to the phone.
Who was calling at this ungodly hour?
“Hello.”
“The week is up. I have my list ready. Got yours?”
“What?”
“Janice, are you OK? Did I wake you?” Mazie.
“No Mazie. I am always up at 6 in the morning.”
“Is it only 6? My god it is. I’ve been up for – never mind, I’ll call you back later. When is a good time?”
Janice yawned. ‘Noon’, she thought but said, "No. I’m up now.”
“Oh good. I have my list. Can I come over?”
“Now?”
* * * * *
The numerous repeats of each list were tossed. The eight remaining were folded and dropped into a bowl. “Who picks?” Mazie asked.
Janice picked as the designated by toss of a coin plucked the destination from the bowl. She unfolded the paper, stared at it, grinned broadly.
“Well?” Mazie asked.
“We’re going to St Augustine Florida.”

Like