A Vegetarian

Mrs. Myrtle Standich met with Mrs. Ida Willaby for a light lunch at twelve fifteen in the afternoon at Roscoe's Deli (at the corner of Main and Selma). Mrs. Ida Willaby brought a most unexpected guest, her grand daughter, Ms. Laura Willaby, age twenty. This invite could be judged as impolite, though this phrase was politely refrained from. An attempt at pleasant conversation began and, by all accounts, headed in a pleasing manner.

Ms. Laura Willaby excused herself for the restroom. Mrs. Ida Willaby, in Ms. Laura Willaby's absence, reported to Mrs. Myrtle Standich that Ms. Laura Willaby was a vegetarian. The evening news had just broadcast a report on these people and Mrs. Myrtle Standich mentioned this coincidence, but also admitted that she had not watched the report. A general tension was felt and audibly admitted. Mrs. Myrtle Standich regretted the choice of restaurant. Roscoe's Deli (at the corner of Main and Selma) had a wide selection of deli meats, but little to do with vegetables. Mrs. Myrtle Standich proposed a quick decision to move the lunch to the Kalesburg Denny's, where both had seen a wide array of salads and/or vegetables. Mrs. Ida Willaby presented the notion that Ms. Laura Willaby might feel uncomfortable about her choice in life if the plans changed. It was decided just before Ms. Laura Willaby returned to leave the lunch date "as is" and hope for the best, with nary a word about Ms. Laura Willaby's life decision.

Ms. Laura Willaby, upon arrival, looked at her menu-as did Mrs. Myrtle Standich and Mrs. Ida Willaby. Not a word was spoken. When the waiter arrived, orders were placed in a quick fashion be Mrs. Myrtle Standich, ordering an egg salad sandwich on wheat, and Mrs. Ida Willaby, ordering a BLT on rye. Ms. Laura Willaby ordered a grilled brie and tomato on seven grain. Mrs. Ida Willaby would later admit to how proud she was of her grand daughter's problem solving skills. But, in the moment prior to the collecting of menus, Mrs. Ida Willaby and Mrs. Myrtle Standich were most horrified for the sake of Ms. Laura Willaby. "Had she unknowingly compromised her beliefs," was the general sense of questioning. Mrs. Myrtle Standich could be said to feel guilty. Mrs. Ida Willaby hoped that Ms. Laura Willaby would actually eat all that was on her plate and not just the vegetable. Mrs. Ida Willaby hastened to mention that she had recently read that tomatos were now referred to as fruit.

Mrs. Myrtle Standich and Mrs. Ida Willaby later recounted a moment of prayer of hope and guidance before lunch was served.