December 9, 2015

I took yesterday off work because I was sick. With something. Maybe it was the bourbon, maybe an incoming cold, maybe bad allergies. All I know is my throat was closed and hurt and unbundling myself from my bedding was too much effort. So that’s where I had my morning scrum meeting, conferencing in from the sheets with my scruffy voice and stuffed up nose. But once I started working, there was just more work, more urgencies, and a couple more conference calls. Six hours later, I was not so well rested.

I took today off work because I didn’t get my sick day yesterday. Again I started with my morning scrum call. And followed with five more conference calls throughout the day. Between number 2 and 3 I decided what I needed was some healthy food in me. I imagined some rich risotto or meaty pasta from Papavero, my favorite weekday lunch spot.

There was one other woman in the restaurant when I arrived, sitting alone, older than me with short, dark hair with a tuft of blue in it. In front of her she had a tall cocktail glass with brown liquor and an orange twist. I want to be like her when I grow up.

I sat at the bar and quickly decided on a pasta special. And the bartender, whose name I don’t know, helped me choose a glass of red wine. Their pairings are always perfect.

The pasta took a little while because of the fettuccine. So I alternated my wine and water and worked a little more on my phone.  I hear a laugh and spin around. I see three women sitting down at a 4-top behind me. The woman facing me is a VP at my office, the only other person at my job to have worked there longer than me. It appeared she didn’t see me so I turned back around, figuring it would only be a matter of time.

I waited, trying not to listen to their conversation, but catching little bits. I’d actually referred this restaurant to this VP a while back. I think she visits it for nice lunches with friends. When she asked for a recommendation, she’d noted that she wanted to take someone out as a thank you for being there for her when she was struggling. Her husband has been battling cancer and her son recently was recently, after a painful process, diagnosed with Chron’s. And that’s what their conversation was about. Medical issues and recovery. I don’t like knowing such personal details of coworkers. I don’t like eavesdropping on people I know.

I blew my nose, hoping the VP might hear my signature honking sound and initiate a “hello.” No luck. I looked over my shoulder again. She was chatting and enjoying her Orecchiette con Broccoli e Parmigiano. My pasta was delicious. Fettuccine con le Sarde (spinach fettuccine with sardines, dill, pine nuts, raisins and breadcrumbs). How does Papavero come up with this stuff? I would eat sardines and wine for lunch every day if I could. I buried myself in that bowl of pasta until it was empty, looking up a couple times to talk to the bartender whose name I do know.

Then I was done. I needed to get home for my next conference call. I exited my barstool by turning away from the VP. Said goodbye to the bartenders and headed for the door. I didn’t look back. Was that awkward? Should I have interrupted their lunch? Did VP see me and mutually ignore me? Does anyone else act like this? Or is it just me?

Another thought crossed my mind:
I need to stop recommending restaurants to coworkers.