Jose, my fellow busser, was talking about how the Jimmy Lee and the guys (those people I hang out with after work behind the restaurant) were all just trying to take advantage of me. His reasoning must have been that all the guys drink, tease me about not drinking, and were throwing me a small good-bye party. Jose’s thoughts made me a little angry at first because those guys have been so sweet to me all summer. Don’t get me wrong, they were no means ‘proper’ and ‘respectful’ in general, but in their own way they showed me a great deal of respect. No one really flirted with me or hassled me. Only one of the guys ever touched me and it was Greg, he gave me a loose hug, and only after acting like he wanted my phone number all summer. He never asked for it either. (He finally explained to me tonight that he has been stressed out the entire time he has known me and if it wasn’t for that he probably would have asked for my phone number. I kinda wish he had, but I’m kinda glad he didn’t. After joking with him all summer about his old age, I finally found out he is twenty seven. It is nice to know I’ve been guessing correctly.) Jimmy Lee led a toast, or rather made everyone toast to me tonight to celebrate my going off to school. Although I explained to a few servers who came out just in time to participate but who didn’t know what the guys were celebrating that the guys were just eager to get rid of me, I think they may miss me after all. Jimmy Lee made it clear that he insisted on the celebration because he is proud and happy that I was going to school. Well, that and he said they will all miss me. I already miss them. I can’t help but hope these men have a good winter and that I’ll see them again if and when I pick up a couple extra shifts at the restaurant during Christmas break. I doubt they’ll all be there though which saddens me. Greg has had an interesting past to say the least and has court on Tuesday which could lead to 165 days in jail. Sounds like he made a bad life decision, but he didn’t tell me what. Hmmm, I’m guessing it was too many DUIs or something. (Ugh, driving when you know you shouldn’t be is STUPID!!) Yep, these are the men I’ve spent the majority of my summer Friday and Saturday nights with after work for a couple hours. Despite how sketchy it may all seem, the guys are great people and a lot different from the types of people I have for the most part always been around. Just because you did stupid stuff in high school or do stupid stuff now or are irresponsible or didn’t go to school and work a lower tier job doesn’t make someone a bad person. Those guys are good people.
I don’t think every relatively innocent girl has the same experience with a bunch of older guys while they are drinking after work. I can image that often the guys would mistreat of flirt with the girl and/or possibly put her in a bad position. I mean it could potentially be dangerous if they were different…they could easily over power me if they wanted to. But they are kind and good people even if someone them haven’t made the best decisions. (Greg was telling me tonight that he quit several of the best jobs he has ever had to go to the beach—that is so stupid and irresponsible. Thankfully he knows that now and seems to regret doing so, in a good way if regret can be good….)
I just want to remember them all.
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