I ate at Cracker Barrel tonight. I try to go there whenever I am in New Jersey. There is one about  two blocks from the office. I can get a good meal quickly for under $15. Plus I can usually sit and read a book while waiting for my food.
Today was a little different. When I arrived, they sat me right away, like always. Today, though, there were three big tables all of which had kids in high chairs. Don't get me wrong. The kids don't bother me - especially at a place like Cracker Barrel. Now, if I were on an anniversary date with my wife, then having a bunch of kids near us would definitely bother me, but we wouldn't do our anniversary dinner at Cracker Barrel.
I sat down and started reading my book - getting lost in a novel called "The Dead are First" about the aftermath of Katrina. Suddenly a hot wheels car hits me in the shoulder and brings me back to  reality. Mom started to approach me when Little Boy threw another car at another table landing right in an elderly man's potato. While Mom went to apologize to the elderly man who was very upset, I walked over to Little Boy and gave him his car back. He was in a high chair. He looked at me. He wasn't sure if I was friend or foe. After I started talking to him, he smiled and started yapping away in Little Boy talk. He was happy to get some attention. When Mom finally came back, she apologized to me and thanked me for watching James while she was "dealing". No problem for me. I went back to my table and started reading again. After finishing two chapters in my book I found someone and asked for my server. Nobody had approached me yet. This was odd for Cracker Barrel where I usually barely have time to read one chapter.
Allison was my server. She came over. I would say she was 17, maybe 18. She was about as harried as Mom was. Allison was serving all three tables with a blend of Moms and Little Boys throughout. She apologized over and over. I gave her my order knowing exactly what I wanted. (I am very predictable.) I went back to reading and soon was lost in the book only to be interrupted every now and then by little cars or salt shakers being thrown by James.
After another chapter completed, I noticed I didn't have my tea. Now I know Allison was working hard, but hey, I am a paying customer, too. I flagged her down and she immediately knew of her mistake. I told her I would also like my salad BEFORE my meal arrived. She had the tea back in no time and I was lost again in my book. After another chapter, my meal arrived. It was delivered by a different young lady. I told her I really wanted my salad before my meal and she said that my server was suppose to have already brought it to me. Oh well. I dove into one of the best honey ham slices I have had in a long time with some good ole cheese potato casserole. That is when Allison appeared with the salad and asked if everything was all right. She knew the answer, but had to ask. I told her I was upset about the salad, but she could leave it in case I was still hungry after I finished my meal. About that time James' dad arrived and now it all made sense why Mom was so harried with three small kids waiting on dad. James suddenly became a different Little Boy. Funny how that works.
I finished the meal and had no room or desire to eat the salad. When Allison came back she asked if she could bring me a box. I told her I was on travel, so a box would do me no good. I asked her if I had paid extra for the salad. She said no. Then she did something that took a lot of character for a teenage girl. She asked me if I wanted her to talk to a manager.
41:12And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, And settest me before thy face for ever.
I have to tell you, I was immediately impressed with Allison. I could tell it was a very hard thing for her to say. I also sensed she was very close to tears. I told her that, yes, I would like her to talk to her manager.
Within two minutes, Charlie came out. You could tell he was the manager - he had a tie. Nice guy. Clean cut. Very friendly. He was made for this job. He asked me what happened and I told him. He apologized for it and told me that Cracker Barrel would pay for my meal tonight because it was the right thing to do. I had actually thought he might take a few bucks off the bill, so this made me very happy. I asked him what was up with Allison. He said she was still new, which he claimed was no excuse, and she had the unfortunate experience of having all of these large families sit in her area at the same time. He claimed that was his fault for letting it happen knowing she was new. Once again I was impressed. Here was a man taking full responsibility for the actions of his crew and admitting he was at fault. I told him I appreciated it a lot and I also told him that Allison had shown a lot of courage by offering to get him instead of waiting for me to ask. To me, that showed that the young lady really was trying to do what was right. I thanked him and asked him to have Allison come back by the table.
When Allison stopped by again, I could tell she was very upset with herself. She wouldn't look me in the eye. I noticed she was on the verge of tears. I asked her what happened tonight? I told her that the strength of character she had shown by offering to get the manager also showed me that this was not the quality of service she normally would give. She held back the tears and said what Charlie had already told me - all three of those big tables plus a man getting a toy thrown in his food plus not taking care of me all at once. I told her that I really appreciated how hard she was working, how honest she had been with me, and how it took a lot of character to do what she did. I, then, slipped a ten dollar bill on her tray. She couldn't hold back the tears any more. She told me thank you in a way I could tell she really meant it.
30:11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
Charlie saw me on the way out as I was buying a dark chocolate candy bar to take home to my wife. He asked me to please come back. I would I told him, for sure.
As I walked out to my car, I said a quick prayer for Allison. I thanked God that a young lady like her had such quality character. I know that character quality will be challenged as it was tonight. I prayed that she would always have the foundation to do what is right even when life's pressures make it difficult. Then I thanked God that there are young people out there like Allison. It gives me hope in the future generations.
119:116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. |
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