Places To Read, An Unintentional Multipart Short Story Series – Part 5

 

In A Restaurant

Your family hates you.

You accepted this fact a long time ago.

However, it's comment knowledge that it always takes a ridiculously long time between ordering and actually receiving your food. So much time, in fact, that it would be quicker to just cook something at home. But you can't be bothered to wash up, which is why people go to restaurants.

There was an argument before you left the house. It started with a 'hurry up' called up the stairs, to which you replied 'I'm nearly at the bottom of the page'. This was a lie, of course, because you finished the page, and then the next one, and then the next one. You would've finished another if your sibling had not been sent up the stairs to fetch you.

The argument continued when you came downstairs, shoes and coat on, and your book still in your hand. You had been told 'leave that book here' and you had flatly refused. That was when the argument started.

So now, sitting in the restaurant, your coat on the back of your chair, the murmur of each table having their own conversation. You had all ordered (fish and chips, side of curry sauce and onion rings) and now started the wait. Your drinks arrived and everyone at the table immediately picked theirs up and sipped it, for that's all there was to do as you waited for your food. Converse, sip, sit in silence. It seemed almost rude to pick up your phone, so no one did.

You, however, triumphantly pulled out your book and opened it. You were well aware of your parents glaring at you, but you don't care. You won that argument, they gave up. You possess the willpower that they lack. And while they sit in silence, sipping their drinks and eventually having a short conversation, before sipping their drinks again and falling silent, you are in a different world, thoroughly entertained. You believe you are a genius and why does no one else bring books to restaurants?

You put the book down when your food arrives and your family all look up at you. Did they think you would read throughout the meal? There's an idea...

Hello!

I would like to begin by saying, no, I have not done this before. But sitting at a restaurant with nothing to do but sip your drink, until you have to order another drink and you don't even have your food yet? It's boring. I'm sure it's crossed all our minds once or twice. If only I had a book...

It is, indeed, a cure-all. Sick? Read a book. Have a day off? Read a book. Don't have a day off but you're taking one anyway? Read a book. Sitting in a restaurant with nothing to do as you wait impatiently for your food to arrive, even though something with the order will inevitably be wrong? READ A BOOK!

Don't listen to my advice. Society will shun you.

Unless that's what your goal is. Then, by all means, take a book to a restaurant. Shush people and tell them you're trying to read. Believe me, society will not like you for very long.

Anyway...

Bye!