I can only
name a couple of vertical moments in my existence that has given me memorable
pleasures. I can remember learning to ride a bike, my first kiss and my first
baptism. I have lived a long and full life, void of many regrets and vices. So I
understand the power of Karma. With that said, there is one vice that has been
hard for me to escape. That is the pleasure I get from eating a Ruben sandwich.
The Ruben, in my opinion, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World; it is perfect
in its favors which combine the old world with the new. This food is historic
and when properly prepared can re-direct a bad day. I am aware of its power therefore;
I go out of my way to limit my exposure to its influences. Today, I was caught
off guard.
I misread my flight itinerary and arrived at the airport three hours early. Yes, it was
an amateur mistake. Being early and hungry, I decided I would grab a bite and
write a quick blog. So I approached the only restaurant located in the
Huntsville International Airport. I stepped up to the counter and Kari (my voluptuous-sexually
frustrated yet attentive cashier) looked down at my 10 oz orange juice and asked
me “Is that, all you’re having today.” I smiled (signaling to her that I am one
of the good guys) and said, “No, I will be having a Ruben sandwich as well.” As
soon as the last syllable left my lips her generalized friendliness turned into
a personal seductive look. The kind of look that said, I am an 80’s chick and
in the words of Salt and Pepa “I wanna have yo baby”. She knew I had ordered a sandwich that only a
warrior would order. She knew from my order that I was getting ready to take a
long journey, a journey I might not return from. Her body became numb and her
lips nervously parted as she forced the words, “would you like chips or potato
salad?” I paused, giving her heart a chance to catch up to her brain and then I
slowly replied “I will have the potato salad”. I took my order and found a seat
near the window.
Five minutes
from eating one of the best Ruben and potato salad combos, I sheepishly looked
at Kari and reminisced to a time, many lives ago, when she stood in the
doorway of our 5 story New York apartment pleading with me not to go to war.
The look she gave me when I ordered, told me that she knew who I was and
although I was here today, mentally I was also here yesterday and the day
before that. I learned many years ago, even when our fragile minds have lost the
power to recall, our spirits will prevail. Her body remembered that 100 years ago
she had begged me to stay and let someone else fight. She said, “You said the
country needs you but, I need you, our three children need a father and not a damn
war hero; let someone else save the world.” I am sure she also remembers the
long pause and her statement of resolution. “I know you have to go but at least
take the lunch, take this Ruben sandwich I made you”
So how was
the sandwich at McAllisters today? It was good but I don’t know if it was worth
it…
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