Plates

Day 10 of my California trip – Thursday Oct 9 – Dinner with Julia at Flea Street in Menlo Park

Waitress:  Are you still enjoying your food?

I was speechless for too long...

Me:  I’m sorry, I’m just not sure how to respond.

I was expecting the "yes" or "no" question of, "Can I take your plates?" and her question seemed irrelevant.  What about the plates?  It took my lawyer friend to clue me into what may have added to my confusion. It's the word "still," as in "...still enjoying the food. " Predicated on a presumption that my enjoyment had been an ongoing fact.  And I had to think about that. 

Me to my friend:  I’m not trying to be a total asshole.

My friend to me:  She thinks you’re an asshole.

Day 11 of my California trip – Friday Oct 10 – Lunch at Brenda’s Meat & Three on Divisadero in the Western Addition

The burly Mexican waiter who stopped at my table amidst his backs and forths:  Done?