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"I met you at that concert in Texas," I said, "and not in a stalker way or anything, but something you said about Rita was what led me here."
"I know. JD told me about it. He was asking me what I said to you, and I couldn't remember. But I remembered you. I remembered you asking me about Rita backstage." He shrugged. "I usually don't mention her on stage. It was a random occurrence that night."
"I'm starting to realize that there's no such thing," I said.
"Random occurrences?"
"Yeah," I said. "I think God just enjoys giving us interesting curves in our paths."
"I think JD's mad," he said.
"Why would he be mad?" I asked, but then I realized that Micah saw something I didn't. I turned to find that JD was in the restaurant and walking toward our booth. Indeed, he looked mad. He was staring at Micah like he had done something wrong. I turned to Micah who was just smiling like he wasn't scared.
"I had to see her, my brother," Micah said standing up to greet JD. "Don't get mad at me. I was hanging out with Claire, and she said your lady was working, so I had to come down here."
JD had walked up to our table by then, and I stood up to greet him. He took me in, placing one hand protectively around my waist.
"I have to go check on my table," I said. "I'll be right back. I love you."
"He was supposed to surprise you at Birdy's tomorrow," JD said, explaining Micah's presence.
"Thank you," I said. "I'm surprised either way. Are you staying to eat?"
"Yes," Micah said, answering for JD. "He'll stay."
"Fine, I'll stay," JD said, looking at me.
"What's this a family reunion?" Isaac said, coming up to us.
"I'm going to check on my other table," I said. "I'll be right back."
JD leaned in and gave me a kiss on the mouth that was way too patient for the situation. I leaned upward and kissed him back, and we broke apart slowly, staring at each other.
"Okay, I'll be back in a second and I'll take your order," I said.
"You know what I want, and Micah will have the same thing."
"I will?" Micah said, but he was smiling.
"Yes," JD said, shaking his head at his friend.
Isaac said something to Micah, and I walked away, smiling as I made my way to my other table.
Perspective was everything. I was the happiest person in the whole world, and I was a waitress. I was currently walking through a restaurant to check on a table. I had on Levi's and an apron with busted-up Chuck Taylors that were several years old. These customers would inevitably ask me for a paper box, at which point I would have to walk to the other side of the restaurant and retrieve it before taking it back to them. I was a waitress. Some people in my position would say I wasjusta waitress. But life was what you made it, and in that moment, I couldn't be happier. I didn't mind going to check on my table. I didn't mind taking them a box. I loved Jimmy's and I wanted these people to have a good experience.
Rita was smart with money, and she could have retired by now, but she still came in and worked, waiting on a few tables here and there to check in with her regulars. JD was also smart with money, and he assured me that I no longer needed to work at all. But I enjoyed being a waitress at this place. I appreciated the concept of blooming where you were planted, and I loved being planted there at Jimmy's.
Epilogue
The following evening
***
The wedding
Micah Lacey wrote a song about me.
That statement would have an entirely different meaning to me if you had told me that a year ago. But this song was about me and JD.
