Part Seven – More Meatloaf?
The snow was still falling, so we had a choice to make. We either drive on toward Grand Lake and risk getting trapped on the other side, or we turn around and drive back to Estes Park. I was afraid they might close the road before we drove back, so my vote was to turn around. Amber agreed, “I’ve had enough excitement for one day.” She said.
We started driving back to Estes Park and as soon as we got to the tree line, the snow turned to rain. “Great.” I said, and before I could finish the thought it stopped raining.
We pulled over at a gift shop. I parked next to an ornate totem pole on the edge of the parking lot. Behind the totem pole was small creek. The rushing water looked so pure you could drink it, but it also looked very cold. Inside the gift shop, we bought a few souvenirs. I bought a piece of granite from the mountain. It is illegal to take a rock from Rocky Mountain National Park, but they can sell them in the gift shop. I figured the only way they could justify selling them was that they had to donate a portion of the sale back to the park. Amber bought a replica of the totem pole outside the gift shop.
“It’s a pen.” She said, showing me the small totem pole, “I’m getting hungry, let’s go back and get something to eat.”
“Good Idea.” I said.
We left the store and started to walk back to the Jeep. From behind I heard, “Another selfie?”
I turned and saw Amber standing next to the totem pole.
We drove straight to the hotel and decided to get some dinner at the Cascades restaurant. I did not let on that I had just eaten there the day before. It was five o’clock and already people were slowly filling the restaurant. We had not bothered to change from our road trip and Amber looked embarrassed about how she was dressed. She quickly excused herself and made her way to the lady’s room. She came back a few minutes later, “Best I could do.” She said.
“You look fine, just don’t look at them.” I said. “Act invisible.”
“Does that work?” she asked smiling at the joke.
As luck would have it, I got the same waiter from the night before. “Back for more meatloaf?” he said, ruining my secret.
“You’ve been here before? She asked. I could tell she was slightly annoyed.
“Give us a few minutes.” I told the waiter.
“Sure.” He said and walked away.
“I came in last night. It was a last-minute decision, I was tired and worn out. I ate at the most convenient place.” I explained, thinking to myself how comfortable I was with Amber. We had just met this morning and it already seemed like we were old friends. “Invisible.” I reminded her.
She smiled, “Anyway, how was the meatloaf?” She asked.
“Wonderful.” I said, “Melts in your mouth.”
“Good.” she said, “I’m almost too tired to chew.”
The waiter could see the smile on my face and thinking it was safe, returned to our table.
“Have you decided?” He asked.
I ordered the meatloaf for Amber, taking the chance that I wouldn’t offend her. For myself I ordered the cheeseburger, with a side of steamed mixed vegetables. I also ordered a bottle of the house red for the table.
“Very good choice.” Said the waiter, casting a sly grin at Amber.
“I’ll give you good choice.” I thought to myself, feeling a little jealous. Then I quickly dismissed it as being ridiculous.
We made nervous small talk during dinner. Finally, after we had finished the bottle of wine. She looked at me and smiled. “You know you could have killed us up there today. What was it you said, a white poodle?”
I was about to tell her about the white poodle, but the waiter intervened. “Can I get you anything else?”
“Just the check.” I said. It was then that I remembered that the camera was still attached to the roll bar of the Jeep. When the waiter returned with my credit card, I took my card and signed the receipt. Next to the tip amount on the receipt, I wrote “Snitches get Stiches”. Then I grabbed Amber’s hand and quickly led her out of the restaurant and through the front doors of the hotel. At the top of the steps, I said “You stay here, I’ll be back in a minute.” I rushed to the Jeep. The camera was still there but was not recording because the battery was dead. I was so excited I forgot about my back. I ran up the steps and showed Amber the camera. “White poodle!” I said.
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