We learned that her name was

Eliza. She called him Dan.

That's how they introduced

themselves when they accepted my invitation to join us at our table for

lunch at the Concord Café Sunday.

Oddly enough, I did not get

my usual look from my Dan when I issued the invitation. I am beginning

to think after all these years that I finally have him trained. It appears

he has now realized a stranger is just a friend you don't know yet.

When we left the restaurant

he actually commented on how much he enjoyed the couple and how beautiful

she was. Of course he never bothered to remember aloud that she was wearing

a suit the same color as the one I had on the night I met him some 35

years ago.

Oh, well, if the years teach

us anything they teach us how to forgive. At least it was clear that he

still liked the personality behind that brilliant rose red color.

She had stopped at our table

as they entered the restaurant to speak to my hubby. She, a total stranger,

tall, thin and graceful, was so forward as to suggest that he go fix himself

another plate and let her have the one which he had just set before himself.

My, how I was enjoying that

encounter. I wondered if she and I were kin.

I recalled a time some years

back when the physician I worked for had taken the entire office staff

out for lunch. As we walked into the restaurant, and by this booth of

four strange men, I stopped to inquire about a platter of something on

their table that I did not recognize. They offered me a taste. I tasted.

To this day, the folks with whom I am still in contact from that office

call me a floozie.

unless you want to be labeled a floozie, to glance at the plates of other

diners as you enter a restaurant. That is the best way by far to choose

what you'd like to have.

In fact, if you ask to be seated

near the back of the establishment you will have an opportunity to view

more selections as you meander slowly to your table. Decide what you like

and when you server comes, tell him to forget the menu and discreetly

point to the person eating what you want, ask what they are having, and

order it.