So to start, here is a fairly new encounter. I used to work in the downtown area in my home town. Since my town and my state are all but dead in this economy, I didn't have much to choose from to eat during my lunch hours. Across from the building I worked in was a complex that used to be loaded with shops and eateries. Now there are two eateries (one being a Starbucks) and a deli sandwich shop. The owner of said shop also has another shop in an even smaller town 7 miles away. It was that shop that I was most familiar with, as I once worked in that small town as well, and still am there often to visit family.
One day, I had been so bogged down with work, that I didn't even look at the clock until about 1:30 p.m. Realizing that I had missed the closing time of our building cafe, (which didn't break my heart) I had to go out in search of food. This day was pouring down rain, and just not the day to head out on foot. So I thought of the deli across the street. I headed over, my umbrella clutched tightly against the wind and rain. Upon entering the door, I was overwhelmed with the smells of fresh soup and sandwiches! The store was warm and cozy. Spotless, in fact, with sarcastic signs hung around like, "Children who are left will be given sugar and a puppy". I was happy to get out of the rain and into such a cool place.
I walked up to the counter to place an order, trying to scan the huge order board quickly, so I didn't look like the newbie that I was. The clerk at the counter asked me if I had seen the specials sign. I hadn't, and as I looked up to where she pointed, I was elated to see that the special was a pastrami Cuban! For those of you who do not know, there is nothing better in this world, than a Cuban sandwich! My mouth went all watery, and I got a little twinge in my tummy. Now please realize, I live in the North. And I do mean, North. I have been to Florida many times and had really authentic Cuban food, but to get that here in my neck of the woods, what a prize! I didn't even blink when I ordered the special and was waiting with anticipation I hadn't felt in a good while.
While I waited, dripping, in the corner, a pudgy little man was tinkering around with a rag, wiping at non-existent dust. The pull was to hard to resist. Remember, I told you, it's like a magnet, the eyes meet and they have to tell me their stories. I'm not kidding you. "Jay" walked over to me to see how I was doing. He asked me how I liked the weather, (ha ha, no one likes the weather here, ever!) and proceeded to talk about how much he still couldn't get used to it here. Well, of course, that piqued my interest, so I asked him, "How long have you been here?" "Jay" told me he had been "back" about 15 years. He told me that he and his wife had left about 30 years ago and moved to Florida. They lived there about 15 years, started their family, and the realized they had a problem. they felt that the schools there had nothing to offer their kids. He told me they were overcrowded and rough. They had to bring in rows of trailers as temporary classrooms, because they couldn't keep up with the enrollment. He said his kids were suffering and hated it there. This all seemed amazing to me, as I grew up in this cold and snow and the very thought of growing up amongst palm trees and ocean surf sounded like a paradise to me. He told me his wife and he made the hard choice and sold everything to move back to the frigid North. They did not regret their decision. He told me his kids flourished and both were great students. His son had graduated college, and had moved away. His daughter was graduating from college that very next weekend with honors. He was a proud dad, and rightly so. He did what he needed for his kids, and he was successful.
He lamented, that his only problem now was, that his wife and he really wanted to move back to the warm weather that they had left behind so long ago. He said he had done what he needed for his kids, and was ready to sell his businesses but with the economy being what it was, he was lucky he could still keep them open. They are successful, many people crowd in every day to eat at the immaculate little shop. But I so understand, what the heart wants, it wants.
By this time, my sandwich was ready. "Jay" told me he hoped I would enjoy it, he said it was pretty authentic, as he had had more than his share of good Cuban sandwiches during his time in Florida. I told him that I really couldn't wait to try it, and to keep adding it to the menu, and I would definitely be back. As I reluctantly went back out into the blustery rain, I clutched what turned out to be about the best Cuban sandwich that I have had outside of Florida! "Jay" you made me so happy on such a miserable day. Both with the sandwich, and the glimpse of your life and the wonderful dad you have been. I hope the economy turns around soon, and that fate brings you a buyer for your stores, so that you can head back to the beautiful shores of Florida. You have earned a chance to retire and relax! Thank you for sharing with me!
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