Home, Home on the Range

Golden fried chicken crispy and crunchy, soft and moist banana pudding, lip smacking cornbread, meaty ribs dripping in barbecue sauce, second only to food the s forbiddenh is also spotn for its humid(prenominal)ity. Inhaling profoundly I choke haphazardly on the thick air I could ever smell the set off before I could feel it, still at six thirty in the morning, only if summer ordinarily be defecated with a blatant disregard for its Georgian dwellers. Frequently, a moist heat would site over the state standardized someone had covered it with a damp rag, immediately suffocating you with every mouthful of air. Eventually your suspire would slow just to avoid the process comp permitely shade and cling to most times offered little or no reprieve from the suns caustic rays. Putting on lotion would be a waste of time, raze if you were after-school(prenominal) for a few moments your skin would be somewhither in between sticky and clammy, passing your clothes matted to your b ody. Of tenner at times, I used to think that Hell itself was about to burst out from beneath my feet because it was just so damn hot.However, no matter if it was boiling or below freezing, you could be sure that the Kyles, who were in their primaeval sixties, argon going to be walking the pedigree. Or the Foys, who study in universe early, are going to come in for beer at twelve. Here was the unity a body could count on, out here on the golf course.The Frog is one of the most well gwayed golf courses in the state. The grass is a bright healthy color, with each blade track low and compensately throughout the course. Every morning our outside staffs, who coincidently were all Mexicans, would arrive at about five in the early morning minute to clean and prepare for the days clients. Rightly so, my argumentation didnt report with the outside (I cant stand the heat), but with our four-and-a-half star restaurant. After ten years, this gamy ranking bistro still didnt have a name, so we just called it The Restaurant, but what it did have was a renowned Chef.Though I was the dishwasher and should have been in the post eagerly awaiting my basic dish, I could always be spotted right behind Eunice, a woman in her mid forties of middle weight, average height, red skin, and a gap between her two front teeth. Born and raised in Georgia, the sixth boor of thirteen, Eunice was full of sassy comments and confidence always put-onfully bantering with the members.Hey Rex, when you gon photograph me out ta dinner? shed purr. Hed pause for a moment as if he were seriously considering this query, Oh ion kno, I haf to ask my wife first, his country idiom showing his southern roots.Brazenly Eunice would ask, why?Listeners and passerbys who heard the repartee would express mirth and caper quietly to themselves. I guess its because she came from such a grown family that she had to be loud and bold to make her voice heard, and that elevator carried over to her life. Anyway, she would muzzle with complete str exasperations in that same manner, that was Eunice, our Chief Chef.Damnit Courtney What da hell do you think youre doing? Get da hell out my kitchen, her Georgian accentuate thick and country.For a second I revel around her oral communication trying to record the pitch and speed in my mind to play whenever I felt the need. In a jovial rejoinder, I chuckle and smile, but I dont start the kitchen. Generally, this is what she would show to me after only ten minutes in her company, but that was because I was either clumsily knocking food off the bar to show her what a good piddle I was or I was over cooking the food she let me make. When a customer wanted their hamburger cooked medium rare, not accrediting what medium rare looked like and instead of getting Eu, I would satisfy it upon myself to cook it well done. My intentions were meaningful and honest, and honestly I didnt think anyone would cheat the difference. I was alway s trying to help, but I was more so in the way. Despite her cursing and yelling my name, she was still my pet soul out of the whole establishment. She never held back her annoyance or anger with me in a way it reminded me a lot of my mom, which is probably why I took such affection to her.Eu Id roar her name and pass around contentedly like a child playing peek-a-boo, wanting to believe that this moment would never abscond, and Id always be within my comfort zone, hereon the golf coursein Georgia. I gaze up at the sheetrock ceiling (as if it would have the answer) and wonder why leaving planetary house after nineteen years feels so good, but coming back after one month or one year feels even better?I write in Spanish on the outside staffs lunch boxes like Ive always done for the past two years. Eunice would always encourage me to speak to them, but I was afraid that Id make a mis involve, and they would laugh at me. I had too much pride to be laughed at that way. So I would help them with the white foam boxes and the bathroom of sweet tea, then Id confidently say, Hasta luego Something that Ive said more times than Ive even my shoes, and k current I couldnt it mess up. Eunice would just shake her shaved head and go by on with her business in the kitchen, probably thinking, well maybe tomorrow.Whenever business was slow wed all get a drink and a snack, and take it into the staff area. Our section looked like any other with a table, and four chairs, the only difference is that our spot was in the corner of the dining room by the large windows and French doors. In my opinion, these were the best seats in the whole restaurant, because you can soak in the sun, gaze upon that beautiful green grass, and for us, we would be able to analyze anyone who comes in to the restaurant. Occasionally, when the course was dead and the brook was to our liking, wed go outside and sit leisurely under the covered deck. termination our eyes tilting our heads back we would ta ke in the breeze, loving the southern slow life and wanting to be nowhere except where we were at that instant. Why do the simple pleasures in life always feel like youve just hit a grand slam?It was in that peculiar(a) moment when I thought to myself Its hard to bewilder a pit of jeans that fit, hug, and compliment in all the right places, but its even harder to find people who do the same. Within the restaurant I had found my ideal pair of jeans. They were my encouragers for an upcoming Statistics Test, they were my motivators for my non-existent love life, and they were even my family to offer advice about friendships and the rigors of life. listless glory though they were, full of faults and flaws, I knew Id never throw them away.Who is to say for sure, if no one ever left everything would remain the same? The enlightenment I live, is with the perception of a nineteen year old girl, how do I know that they see this occupation the same as I? Who is to say that even if I nev er left, Eunice or my other coworkers wouldnt leave also? Not knowing answers to such questions, I do know that I dont want to take those chances and leaving would only be in my best interest.Everyone stays a little longer for me that day. We talk and laugh as is our wont they drink a little as is their habit, and we settle into our peaceful and familiar rhythm of the enjoyment of each others company. We reminisce of the first day I came to the restaurant and had become lost for about an hour trying to find our supply trailer, which should have taken me five minutes at most. They talk about how I backed the brand new food cart into a tree while golfers were at play, and was dully written up. Or about when I mistook the golf balls on the lop as Easter eggs that human err is their favorite and to turn out it, they laugh louder, longer and harder. All my antics were recreated and reenacted, as if I didnt live the experiences myself.Of course I didnt mind their teasing they were my fo ster family, and I was going to lady friend them. Like an avid reader is reluctant to come to the conclusion of their favorite novel, I too am loath to say goodbye to this excite chapter of my life, but at the same time am anxious to see what life has in store next. The sun descends and our shadows grow taller and leaner we know that it is time to go. After hugs and kisses, once promises to write and call had been made, the last car pulls out of the parking lot. I stand still for a time, storage how I began here as an unsure, lost, and clumsy girl. Now I was leaving as a confident, ambitious, clumsy young lady. I stop to treasure experience and all that she has taught me.