Later Is Greater

Yesterday I mentioned how The Pony requested Captain D's for lunch Tuesday, when we were out shoe-shopping. We went inside to order, since I can never hear them right through the drive-thru speaker at that location. We placed our order, said it was TO GO, and The Pony went to the soda fountain to fill his cup with root beer. I didn't get sodas for myself or Farmer H, because we could have soda at home. Mine by way of The Gas Station Chicken Store.

Anyhoo...our order was #134. There were two groups ahead of us, and two who came in behind. Apparently, 3:00 is a prime time for fish over in Bill-Paying Town. The Pony sat down on the padded waiting bench opposite the order counter, and I told him I would be right back after taking advantage of Captain D's restroom. The Pony was still waiting when I returned, so I sat down next to him.

A worker came to the counter and announced, "Number One Thirty-Five?"

I must admit, I was almost hoisting myself to my feet by the time she got out the last number.

"Oops! Almost fooled me," I told The Pony. "I should have known that ours would be in bags instead of on a tray."

"Well, TECHNICALLY, we should have had ours before One Thirty-Five," said The Pony. "Since we ordered before them."

It was just the two of us making conversation. I guess the counter worker heard us. When she announced One Thirty-Four, she asked, "Is there anything else I can get you?"

"Yes. Some tartar sauce, and a lot of butter." The Pony LOVES him some butter on his breadsticks.

"I'm going to throw in two desserts for your wait. I'm sorry it took so long," said the counter girl.

"Oh, you don't have to do that."

"I'm going to, for your wait. What would you like?"

"Um. A chocolate cake. And a cheesecake."

I know The Pony likes their chocolate cake. And Farmer H loves cheesecake. The other choice was a mini pecan pie, which he also likes. But I figured he'd go for the cheesecake if he was there.

On the way home, I told The Pony, "We'll let Dad think I got him the cheesecake for his birthday. He doesn't have to know that it was free!"

We DID let Farmer H think that for a few minutes. And then confessed to our free desserts.

"Yeah. I got them for you and The Pony. Not for myself."

"You probably could have gotten three, if you'd reminded her that you bought three meals, and someone would go without. She just saw the two of you there, so offered two."

I think he's got a point. I guess my mind is foggy from lack of calories in making those wise choices.