Day 16 - Clovis, NM - Part Three

Now I know what my friend had meant when she said this part of the drive would be "stinky."

I have never driven by so many cows in my life.

And the smell of them permeates the Jeep.

You know those times when you drive by something that smells and you think someone in the car ripped a fart?

There's no doubt about where the smell is coming from this time. Not one of us in the car makes any accusations.

The smell hits us all at the same time and we can not get out of her quick enough.

The hotel isn't just off the interstate like most of ours have been and it takes a little bit to get to it.

On the way in, my Mom sees a Chili's and that is what she wants for dinner.

It's been a while since she's had an El Presidente Margarita.

We get checked in and changed and we are on our way to Chili's.

Two servers are going to be helping us today. One of them is getting trained.

"Oh WE'LL help train you!" Jack says.

"The Kids" get their Presidentes and I get a margarita with a Coronita sticking out of it.

We are enjoying dinner and getting buzzed.

And that's when I step of the equivalent of an IED.

I bring up that I had the chance to talk with my daugther, Madeline, last night.

I see my Mom's mood instantly change.

A cloud of sadness passes over her and before Jack and I know it, she is crying.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

But I already know the answer.

"This is just THE PITS," she says through her tears.

I think bringing up my daughter has made her think about what she is going to inevitably miss out on.

But you can't focus on what you're not going to see, you have to focus on what we have now.

Because NOW is the only thing we are promised.

Jack tries to comfort her but there is no consoling her now. She is sobbing. The booze and the length of the trip probably aren't helping either.

She's tired.

I'm crying now too.

I hate seeing my Mom so sad.

And then the manager of this Chili's approaces our table.

You think it is awkward when a server comes up to you right after you've taken a bite of food? It is ten times more awkward to be in full "ugly cry" mode.

I think that he is just table touching because a new server is being trained.

I was wrong.

"Good evening, folks. I'm sorry to interrupt but do I have a John at this table?"

What. The. F*ck?

"I'm John." I reply.

"John, can you please come with me?"

I get up from the table and follow the manager around the corner.

We take a seat in a booth made for two.

And he proceeds to blow my mind.

....to be continued....