A cold day

After a long time, I decided to get food from our local Thai restaurant. I was in the mood for something sweet and pungent. I scanned the online menu and went with Duck Choo Chee which felt like a caloric extravagance, and Pad Thai, which looked unappetizing based on the website images. I figured it would taste fine though, not everyone is great at photoshopping. 

The restaurant had several recent reviews claiming poor customer service, but it didn't tally with my experience. All the same, when I called them I made sure I was very clear with my order and for once I listened before saying "yes" to confirm. After I placed my order I had to say my name. Usually, I say Mike because it's just easier for everyone. The only exception is Indian restaurants. But I felt these folks might get confused if a woman's voice said Mike, so I blurted out my name instead. 

I waited for twenty minutes and headed out wrapped in my shawl and jacket. The restaurant was inside India Street Mall, and I could shorten my exposure to the elements by heading straight for the mall entrance rather than the restaurant, which was on the farther end. On the street I passed by two girls--one haughty in black jeans and mascara, the other, the sidekick, wore a bob, a sweet face and blue jeans. If I had to place a bet on who was the meaner of the two, I would place it on the bob. They were bitching about some friend, because mascara said,  "I bet she will be waiting inside the mall," and rolled her eyes. The bob just glinted and sneered, no embarrassment, no guilt, just genuine scorn/derision for this absent friend. 

I reached the mall and hoped it wouldn't be closed yet. It was only 7pm, but you never know with these small-scale malls. I tugged at one door--no luck, then the other, and it opened. I walked past a girl on her phone and she looked distressed--the friend. "Where are you guys? I am in the mall." She listened to whoever was on the other side and pulled nervously at the fishnet tights which was biting into her skin. "But you asked me to come to the mall, didn't you?" 

I don't know how this minor drama concluded, because I kept waddling towards my Duck Choo Chee.