Thick

Thick

“Thick!” That’s what she said. “You’re mighty thick for a vegetarian.”
I hated to tell people this fact about myself while working at Applebee’s on Augusta Road. I still hate to tell most people this morsel about my life because they instantly judge and question me: Why? Why? Why? Well, the answer is that I really don’t know why, but I just am. People think that it’s weird but it seems natural to me.
Ribs were a big part of the food at Applebee’s and everyone always asked about them. “Are they beef or pork?” “Are they big or little?” “Are they fatty?” Well, I always answered these questions the best that I could, but on this day with this one lady, the questions would not stop. “Well, have you eaten them?”
“No,” I reluctantly answered.
“Why not?” she continued to question.
And on and one and on. So, I broke down-I told her. It should be a rule somewhere. If you work in a restaurant that serves meat, and you’re a vegetarian, then don’t tell the customers.
As soon as I said it, I could tell by her look that this was not going to be a good response. She sat back in her seat and moved her eyes from the bottom of my feet to my face. Then she responded, “You’re mighty thick for a vegetarian.” The words still pound in my head fifteen years later. I still remember the table number-number 75. Who was she to say that? She was thick too and she was ordering ribs!
As I stumbled to the kitchen, with my mouth in the shape of an O and my eyes glazed over like a lost child, I encountered my manager, Gettis. As I recounted the tale to him, he found it quite humorous and shared it with the entire staff.
I’m sure that thick lady has forgotten all about the vegetarian waitress and the ribs, but I wish that she hadn’t. Words are powerful-use them wisely.