angryI ran into an old customer of mine from the restaurant where I waited tables before this job I have now. Her parents were also really good customers as well. She asked how I was doing .... told me she sure missed me at the restaurant. Then she asked the inevitable question "Were you fired from there?" followed by "my dad said something to me along those lines .... I told him he had to be wrong".
I was more or less stunned by this. When I left my boss & I discussed how we would "handle" my no longer being there. Technically I was fired .... I guess .... even though I was planning on leaving anyway ... someday. We agreed that if people needed to be told anything it would be that I was "layed-off" due to slow business and she wanted to bring her family in to help and save money. Which is sort of what she did. But she can't get along with her family either ... that lasted about two weeks. I lasted 2 1/2 years at least. A bit worse for wear for it .... but I hung in there.
So .... I told this old customer of mine that "yes, I was indeed fired". She just stared at me kinda blankly. Then she said "Well, I just can't believe that". "Believe it" I said. I gave her a short version of a long story and explained how the "firing" came to be. I wish I had a camera .... because the blank expression never left her face. She was confused. That's ok .... I'm still confused too. She then told me that her mom and dad would no longer eat there because the service had gotten so bad. This is about the 5th or 6th time I've heard this. Yesterday was one of those times. Another good customer from the restaurant was at the grocery store the same time as me and said the service was so poor that he would never go there again. Oh well .... she made her bed .... she can sleep in it. That's what happens when you hire three alcoholic/crank addicts to replace one loyal employee.
But the troubling part of all this is: small town. She tells one person she fired me ... well, need I continue? I am supposed to be applying at a local bar here today. Back to bartending maybe. Now I just wonder ... what have these people heard? Have they heard? Who do they talk to and who do they know? Are my chances blown again before I even get there? Am I worrying too much? Shit .... am I even worthy?
I'm feeling so confused. So hurt. But the game is on ..... and she will lose. What goes around comes around.
I'm not even making sense .... sorry.
Peace. J.
Main street Etna - the back of my little MG - and the hell hole I used to work in "The Trailhead" restaurant.
