On The Sly

However, a sign on the door informed customers that this spot was now closed. How disappointing. I hope some day this popular business re-opens. Well, now what? Since soup was on my mind I thought of Frechette's Grocery Store, just a quick drive down Margaret Street.

In my teaching days I would some days grab soup and a sandwich there after a quick stop at the post office. As my car approached the store I noticed that the parking spots in front and across the road were filled, but they also have ample parking on the side. However, not today! Every parking spot was filled. My longtime friend Paul Dingman had just taken the final spot and was exiting his vehicle.

I imagined the long line in front of the deli counter and, being the hungry guy that I was, I decided there was no waiting left in me. I'd tried three places and still hadn't tasted lunch. My stomach, now used to an 11am deposit, was beginnning to growl.

So I headed back downtown. The previous Monday my Mom and I had enjoyed a tasty lunch at the new Benji's Cafe on Margaret Street. Aha! that's the place. And luckily there was a parking spot right in front. Jumping out of my car, I headed to the front door of Benji's, only to see a sign that stated, "Closed today due to a death in the family."

This was getting serious. All I wanted was a simple lunch. Anything now would do. A bean sandwich. A cup of porridge. A slice of pizza. Yes, a slice of pizza, just a few doors down at Pizza Bono. That will be an easy one! However, there was a line crowding the front door. I would be waiting on the street for a simple slice of pizza.

A couple on their lunch hour said hello to me and advised that there was no place to sit. The place was too crowded. I think I heard their stomachs growling, too. I looked across the street and dreamed of the days when Zachary's was on the corner. All is saw was a bunch of furniture laughing back at me. I knew they didn't serve lunch at Affordable Furniture.

Then I remembered Lloyd's Fish Fry, located just across the Monopole alley from Pizza Bono and Woodstocks. I peered in. I saw a lady sitting at a table. And there was no closed sign on the door. Aha! I love fish. Much to my delight, when I entered, there was Lloyd Brown himself, the head honcho, greeting me with a smile.

It had taken over thirty minutes, but I had finally found lunch. "A fish sandwich and fries, please," I smiled. Within minutes I was eating. It was great. My stomach was pleased. I guess this should have been my first stop.

Had this been four years ago, I would have had to go without lunch. But this just goes to show you one of the many challenges a retired teacher with time on his hands faces. It's Monday. Anyone want to join me for lunch today?