The waitress sets a cup and saucer on the counter and pours it full of a watery brown liquid Enzo assumes is coffee.
She wears a faded dress with a chipped name tag he reads as she pours.
Dorothy.
He turns this in his mind, unsure how to pronounce it.
He sips at his cup and grimaces. It’s acidic and weak.
Perhaps he ordered tea by mistake.
In Caltanisetta Enzo had been known for his eloquence.
He’d even been able to talk his way onto a New York-bound ship.
The menu is in English.
He’ll point and take his chances.
The brown liquid may indicate he’s made a terrible mistake
diner coffee makes up for what it lacks in quality with its endless quantity.
Dear Josh,
I hope Enzo ordered something he likes. I admire those who’ve come to this country not knowing the language and going on to becoming productive citizens. I have many Latino friends with whom I try to communicate in Spanish. They’re gracious about my faulty grammar and limited vocabulary and seem to appreciate the effort.
Good story in any event.
Shalom,
Rochelle
This ones about coffee, i could complain the same about diner tea! Well done!
He picked the wrong diner – a hard way to learn!
Good coffee is so special, I feel for your character. Perhaps he will open a great coffee shop
Exactly my feelings when I had coffee in a diner for the first time. But I got used to it and so will Enzo. And he’ll learn the language. Great story about initiative and spirit.
I remember feeling that way when I went to Mexico for the first time. the only Spanish I knew was “Ola” and “Gracias”… It was scary to order food, how did I say I didn’t eat fish, or that I was allergic to tomatoes… very scary. I can’t tell you the joy I felt when the waitress greeted us in English. Since then, I’ve learned a few convenient phrases… I can order food without fear, at least. Great Story this week. Have a safe one!
Terrific writing, Josh. The way you paint the characters is brilliant. It’s the specific little bits of detail like the chipped name tag that really raise it to another level.
thanks, Penny!
I hope he winds up getting something he likes. A very evocative story that speaks deeply of what it’s like to be a stranger in a strange land. Well told.