If time and space are to be filled with words, the woman is doing an admirable job without the help of either man.
As Jill finishes her breakfast, I say, "Have you been watching that group at the next table?"
"No, dad. I've been eating while minding my own business."
"Well, it's time to pay attention. Watch for a while and then tell me who the husband is,โ I say.
Being a good daughter, she sighs and watches for a while.
โThe one sitting next to you,โ she says.
"Good!" I say. โThe bobblehead guy who keeps smiling and nodding like he's listening. He has heard it all before.
โI wonder when it went offline.โ Jill says.
"1998?" I say.
โToo bad you can't watch the show,โ I tell Marsha. โThis guy is a great husband, he's just sitting there smiling and nodding. The timing of him is also goodโ.
"So, dad. Who's the other guy? Jill asks.
"A friend you haven't seen for a while," I tell him. โI wish I could see his face. Is he really interested in his chatter or is he faking it too?
โThat's a good question,โ says Jill, who is now fully involved in the surveillance project. "He doesn't seem to be saying anything."
"How could I?" I say. "Chatty Kathy leaves no gap in the choir."
After another minute or so, Jill says, "Did you see that?"
"I certainly did!" I say.
"That?" says poor Marsha, the spy left out in the cold since she can't see anything.
"Husband just yawned," I tell him.
โBut he hid it well by turning away for a second and then smiling at her and nodding twice,โ says Jill.
Our very capable waitress comes to collect our plates and then walks over to the next table, grabbing the plates in front of the two men.
"Do you want a box for yours, dear?" he tells the woman.
"No thanks. I'm going to eat it," he says, and then turns the faucet back on. More words flow out.
A couple of minutes later we are outside by the car. I look out the window of the restaurant.
The guy with the big face gives me a thumbs up, nods, and winks. For the first time, I can see the other man's face. He would look good on Mount Rushmore. solid stone
Jim Whitehouse lives in Albion.
