On Saturday night I went to meet up with Megan at the Coffee Bean in Whittier. As always, I ordered a small Earl Grey iced tea. The man at the counter asked me if I wanted anything else, how could I resist the huge chocolate chip cookie at the counter. I said, "I will have the over-priced chocolate chip cookie." He smiled and I completed my transaction. I was pleasantly surprised when he handed me a large tea instead. I suppose this was to offset the price of the cookie.
Megan and I had a great conversation. It was as though I were on a roller coaster. We were up, then down and oscillating to a rhythm only we understood. After about an hour of conversation, she excused herself to use the restroom. So there I was sitting outside at our table, when I overheard two biker men saying they needed one more chair. Our table had three chairs and we only needed two. I said, "excuse me sir, you can use this extra one, we only need two." He walks over and sits down on the chair, invading my personal space. I would imagine that any other person would have been frightened or perhaps just felt like getting up. No, not me, I am used to being around strange people. This is what followed:
Me: Woah buddy, you're a little too close.
Man: (backs up) Hello, I am 61 years old and just rode in on my Harley.
Me: No kidding, so what are you a Mongol or something (totally being sarcastic)?
Man: No way man, I left that shit a long time ago! Those guys just like killing people for no reason! I used to hang out with them and they were getting into drugs and killing so I said "I'm getting the hell out of this shit." They killed a bunch of guys out in Vegas. Then they had a lot of problems with the Hell's Angels. Now I just try to talk young people into getting out of that way of life.
Me:: That's great and noble of you.
Man:: Yep, so what's your name?
Me: Melissa (totally not my name)
Man: My name is Jean Pierre (in a french accent) parle vous francais?
Me: (Laughing)Ugh, no.
(Suddenly, I receive a text)
It's from Megan "where are you"
I reply "I'm here"
Then I turn around and she is right next to our table. I say, "Meg, I'm right here!"
Meg: (Looking bewildered) Hey...
Me: (Grinning like a Chesire cat) Hey Meg, this is Jean Pierre.
Meg: Hi, nice to meet you I'm Megan. (Looks at me like "who the hell is this")
Me: (turning toward man) It was great meeting you but you are going to have to relocate because we are having a really heavy, personal conversation...
Awkward silence
Man: Ugh, yeah...it was nice meeting you too. I'm supposed to meet up with a young man right now. He isn't here yet. Trying to talk him out of running with bikers. Take care.
Meg: who the hell was that????
Me: (laughing) I have NO idea.
The moral of the story: If there are three chairs and you only need two, keep your mouth shut and put your purse on the extra chair.