At Least It's Organic

One of my favorite things about our school is the location. It's close enough to our home to walk to. It's in a secure area. Most importantly, there are a variety of fantastic mom and pop type food places to get lunch. We have a cupcake shop, a cookie bakery, an organic soup and salad place, an organic sandwich shop, and now a freshly opened Italian place.

We have about an hour for our lunches so we have enough time to get to and from lunch on time. It gives us some variety. Most of the places don't charge more than $4-6 for a full meal. Some places charge much less. We've been pretty fortunate.

On Monday of this week, we went to the Italian place and I got a nice little chicken lasagna and Shannon got some tortellini. Of course, since it's an Italian place it came with a nice salad. We were enjoying our lunch together and finishing up our salads when Shannon froze with a look of horror on her face. I'm talking about one of those deep within your gut fear faces. Her face went white and her eyes went as big as saucers and she looked down at her plate. In her plate, hiding behind a small cherry tomato was a slug. He was wiggling around and about an inch in length.

I looked at it, and back up at her. I didn't say anything; I just froze. It was one of those make or break moments where your reaction dictates the next moment. It was sort of like when a baby falls down and isn't sure whether to cry or laugh. I just waited. And waited. Eventually she regained her composure and we talked about it for a minute or so.

I went up to the owner/chef and showed her the slug. She looked embarrassed and apologized profusely. I think her reaction saved her. "Lo siento ustedes...pero es organico?!" Translation: I'm sorry guys, but...at least it's organic."

Shannon lost it. She started cracking up and we were immediately endeared to the owner again. She could have been defiant. She could have lied about it. She could have been flippant but instead, she made us laugh.

Later in the meal she came over, put her two index fingers above her forehead and said "Lo siento por el (insert word I don't remember here)" and then she made finger antennas to replicate the slug. It was genius.

In a few minutes when it was time to pay, I went up with the check and she said, "Don't worry, you don't have to pay for the salads." I nodded and paid and on our way out of the restaurant I realized...we didn't ask for salads. It was one of those things that just came with the meal. This sly joker said we didn't have to pay for it like she was comping us a meal and all the while it was the free part anyway?! Oh well...at least it was organic.