Today is Bastille Day. It is also my late mother-in-law's birthday. (There is some argument whether she was there at the first Bastille Day but I'm willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.) Usually every year we go out for Chinese food to celebrate her birthday; we're going to delay that a day or so because the weather's a bit miserable.
Why Chinese food?
Well, shortly before she died, Eileen decided to take us out to lunch. We went to the nearby Chinese restaurant she specified. When we were seated, she pulled out a discount coupon and told the waiter she wanted the special that was on the coupon. Trouble was, the coupon was from a different restaurant,
The waiter was confused. Eileen was insistent. The waiter tried to explain, but Eileen figured a coupon was a coupon. The item on the coupon wasn't even on that restaurant's menu, but Eileen thought that was silly because it was on the coupon. We tried to explain to Eileen, but she held steady. We slunk down in our booth and the waiter went to the kitchen. Eventually he came out with Eileen's order, and at the price listed on the coupon. After the meal, Eileen paid the check and as Kitty walked her out, I left the healthiest tip I had ever given in my life. Kitty and I never went back to that restaurant.
So in honor of Eileen we try to have Chinese food every Bastille Day.
There were many, many good attributes to Eileen, but there were also a few quirks.
Rest in peace, Eileen.
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