Face that looks familiar

Observing people is such a fun past time. So many different people going about their daily life activities. Different yet the same. Some look familiar, some very familiar, while others, nope. This is why being employed in the hospitality field is the same yet different every time. Crowds move around, window shopping then stopping at the Resort Cafe for something yummy.

One time, this guy came into the cafe. He looked so much like a former classmate. He probably thought he was being hit on. Nope. Awkward. No more doing that.

Another day at the Resort Cafe, fun, food and coffee. Talking with people, familiar or not, can be a natural thing for some. Not so much for others. Do what you love and you never work a day in your life. Unsure who first said that. So true however.

Weather is pretty much perfect. Still a bit on the warm side for this time of year. Have to give it more time. Another rain day would be lovely. Just saying.

Management says that sales are much lower than the last couple of years. Busy season is starting later. The numbers were crunched. Have to push the higher priced entrees. Ok. Push but not pushy. Server talk.

A whole week seems to slip by. How? Where? Older one gets, the quicker time flows by. Great! A few of the servers are planning a drive to the coast. Use the slow time for taking a holiday. Only a five-hour drive, one way.

Rained most of the day yesterday. Love the rain. The rain clears away the dust that accumulates from people traffic. Co-workers appear sullen during rainy days. No patio seating for now. Clean and fresh patio, just have to sweep away the few puddles. Chairs tipped to the tables.

Sunny and fresh today. Always after a good solid rain. 10:30, breakfast will be over in half an hour. It was a fairly steady breakfast crowd. Better than average tips. Nice. Time to look over the lunch menus. Any new specials? Of course. 86 list, only alcohol.

Two couples strolled in and wanted to look at the menu. Ah, one couple looking at the right side first. They handed the menus back to the host and left. Hmmm. The other couple chose to stay and were seated at a booth, inside.

Checking that everything is set for the lunch rush. Coffee, luke warm and old. Fresh pot is in order. The aroma of opening a packet of ground coffee is lovely. The rinsed coffee pot is replaced on the burner, all in place, press start. Seconds later, the brown colored stream follows gravity, into the coffee carafe. What a smell. For a moment, that out of the way coffee cafe in Paris, France we all went to last year is very vivid. Interesting how a specific smell can take thoughts elsewhere. Even with people, thoughts follow down a different path of memories. Some being pleasant, other memories, not so much. And the faces, back to familiar and not familiar. So many faces.

Back to reality. A female was seated outside on the patio. A bit warm outside. My section. Of course. A glass of filtered ice water in hand, out into the heat.

Pleasantries were exchanged. Mention of the specials and why this cafe is famous. The guest smiled as she looked up from her chair. She has patience. Coffee, and a bacon-egg-pepper jack cheese croissant. Of course, the cafe's most popular meal.

Walking to the counter to enter the order, that feeling came over, again, familiar smile. Maybe, maybe not. No awkward moment again. The cook checked the printer order. Smirks were exchanged.

Outside again, coffee, cream, sweetener and a spoon. The female guest was reading from her mobile phone. Acknowledging the coffee, she continued reading. Nothing new there. Guests initiate conversations. Works better that way.

Chatting with colleagues about familiar faces again. Not again was the reply. Right, not again. Giggles came from the group. Everyone looks familiar. Yup. Laughter took over the giggles. So many people coming and going, couples, singles, families, younger, older. All eating, drinking, talking, arguing, holding hands, kissing. Life goes on.

Something IS different about the female guest, sitting alone on the patio. Not sure of the what, where, when or who. No loosing sleep over it.

Lunch crowd was in full swing. People shuffling in and out, the French doors opening and closing, by twos, fours, and even a few six tops. Everyone hungry at the same time. Or eat before the zombies come out. No memo on this?

The only patio guest, after two more cups of coffee, was ready for the check, After the check was presented, the comment of, please pay the cashier inside. And the usual, have a great rest of your day in Paradise. The guest thanked me, looked up towards me. Smiles were exchanged.

There it is again, that something is very familiar about her. this could drive me nuts. No time to pause. Quite a busy lunch. Management will be pleased.

Side work now in progress. Rollups, always rollups. fill condiments, salt and pepper, napkins, always napkins. Other odds and ends taken care of when the dinner shift showed up, on time today. The usual conversations of how lunch was, look at the new specials on the board, laughing, descriptions of the past evening out. Plans being made for after work. Busy lunch usually means a slower dinner rush.

End of shift. Yay. So much to do after work. The host handed out the receipts to hand in with the checkout report. Nice not working doubles. Tips are entered, cash paid to the house. The extra cash is kept. Good day.

Folding up the receipts, one was written on. How nice. Fun to read that the food and service was great. "Thank you". Nice. A quick check of the signature, not familiar. However, under the signature was a printed name, along with a mobile number.

Holy Cow!!! He really did it...