a rare dinner out with my son

Alexander and I go to Ethos for dinner.  We arrive at 6:30, and already the restaurant is packed with stylish diners.  We are seated between two older couples, both of whom engage us in conversation.  The couple on our right is chatty and pleasant; the couple on our left is even more so.  They man recommends, without being asked, which wine to get (yes, we each get a glass). And before the couple leaves, we know they are not married, have dated for six years, where there kids went to school, and how they met.

The food is excellent and the waiter is nice, though Alexander and I think he’s not a “real” waiter.  First, he is dressed in a suit, unlike the other waiters who are dressed in white.  And second, he is awful at his job.  Our food comes so slowly that several tables seated after us are gone before our entrees of lamb chops and Greek fries even arrive.  We need to remind our waiter of the basics, like — Please bring us menus.  Then bread.  Then more water.  And then, most importantly, our food.  Alexander and I joke that he must be a bus boy who’s been asked last minute to pose as a waiter because the restaurant is so busy.  It takes two hours to get our appetizer, entrée, dessert and check.  We later learn that our waiter is actually the restaurant’s manager.  He must be better at that job.

When the couple to our left leaves, they are replaced by an even older couple, probably in there eighties, but also very friendly.  They think Alexander and I are on a date, which of course I love.  Alexander does not.  When I tell the couple that Alexander is my son,  the woman says, “My goodness.  You must have had him when you were very young then.”  I am flattered, and ignore the fact that their eyesight is probably not very good.