Bambi, Jayna, Joan, Kimmie

Today I have a light-hearted lunch, a contrast to the previous two days. I go in at 1:30, when much of the usual lunchtime rush has come and gone. Bambi is working the bar. Bambi is 22 and expecting her first child (a boy) the first week of October. I like Bambi—she's pretty and she smiles easily—but Bambi can shoot someone a look that would turn water to ice, that would peel the wallpaper right off the wall. Now this may sound strange, but I like to see those killer glances of hers. For some reason that I can't fathom, it just tickles me when she does it. Maybe because it's a bit of theatrics that she does so well that it's more of a caricature of an evil look than a real evil look. Then again, maybe you just have to know Bambi. She says she wants to return to school and make something of her life. I hope she does. I wish her luck. Good luck to you, Bambi, and I say that very sincerely.

Jayna is the second person to say hello to me today. She rarely fails to greet me when she sees me come in. Jayna turned 21 yesterday ("Be glad I'm here today," she said). Jayna is cute and very outgoing. I don't know her very well. When we talk we just trade the usual banalities. I know she has a boyfriend and plans to return to school at a local college soon.

Kimmie comes over and talks to me for a while. Kimmie is 25 with a bachelor's degree in history. Kimmie has been job-hunting and had an interview in Raleigh yesterday. She comes over and talks about the company she interviewed with and the position she interviewed for. She seems really excited at the prospect of taking this new job in Raleigh. Kimmie is smart and conscientious. If I needed help I would hire Kimmie in a New York minute. Kimmie has a lot of potential. I suspect she won't be around Applebee's much longer. I'll miss her, and Applebee's will be the poorer for not having her.

Joan stops by and talks a little. Joan is 26—a bright, hard-working waitress and occasional bartender who goes out of her way to make sure that you're well cared for in her restaurant. But Joan is more than a good employee; she's pretty, she has charm, and she has a smile that lights up the room. I don't know what's in store for Joan, but I hope it's a nice, rosy future. She's getting married in less than three weeks. Good luck to you, Joan. I wish you only the best.

The bar is slow and after a while I'm the only customer. Bambi and I talk for a little while as she works. Two young men come in and sit at the bar. Bambi walks over and engages them in conversation. I sit for a while longer, watching the people in the room, the comings and goings of the waitresses, listening to the music, thinking.