I recently had an surreal experience that made Salvador Dali seem like Norman Rockwell.
The setting:
a local Huddle House restaurant in my home town. For those of you not in the know, Huddle House is the identical twin of Waffle House. If that doesn’t help, just imagine a corporate run greasy spoon.
The back story:
When I was in high school I ate a good many meals at said Huddle House. At one of those meals I was served by a quite cute blonde girl who appeared to be about my age. I was taken enough to make sure I ate there more frequently. If I drove by and saw her working I would suddenly decide I needed a meal. I learned that she was indeed my age and was a cheerleader at a high school in the next county. Eventually I worked up the nerve to ask her out. To my surprise, she accepted. We went out to a movie and had a great time. We ended up sitting in her driveway until the wee hours of the morning just talking. Really. Just talking. And it was fun. It seemed like we connected.
I saw her a few more times at Huddle House. We talked some more and agreed to go out again, but between her work/cheerleading and my work/sports we just couldn’t seem to make it work. She quit her job shortly thereafter to concentrate on school. I then did a stupid thing. I lost my nerve and didn’t call her, though she had given me her number and asked me to call. Teen male doubts crept in - and won. I never saw her again.
The sur-reality:
I was in the same Huddle House with my wife and kids about a month ago. The place is great for a quick, hot, greasy meal. The waitress walked up as I was trying to decide between the Big House Breakfast Platter and the Double Patty Melt Plate. When I looked up to give my drink order I almost choked. I was her! Not the now 30 something year old her, but her in the exact same form as when we had dated 20 years ago. Same hair, same eyes, same build, same voice, same smile - her! She looked at me and I swear she smiled in recognition. I and my family ordered our drinks. I shook my head to clear the cobwebs. I just knew I was hallucinating but, no, every time I saw her I was more sure. I felt like I was caught in a weird time vortex. It made my head swim. I wanted to ask her if she was related to the girl I knew in high school, but didn’t quite know how. We finished eating and left.
I drive by that restaurant every day, usually more than once. JSince that day, just like in high school, I make a point to look in the windows to see who is working. She’s not been back.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m quite happy with my wife. I wouldn’t consider an affair, even with a 16 year old drop dead gorgeous ghost from the past. I wouldn’t trade what I have now for anything. But in those wistful moments that creep up from time to time, she’s the only girl I’ve ever thought “what if” about.
Surreal.
