We say goodbye to everyone we’d encountered everyday. We say it casually like we can always see that person anytime we want, but the truth is, you never know. You never know if that goodbye is going to be the last time you said it to the person. This summer, my family, my husband and I and our two kids, officially moved to France to start a new life. I know I won’t be able to see my friends or family anytime soon, not to mention with the pandemic going on and no one’s given hope to see the end of it. So I started a stream of posts to say goodbye properly to all the things or people that I love or cherish dearly. Because, you just never know.
January 5th is a sweet and bitter day for me. It’s couple of my friends’ birthdays, my first English brass band official performance, in a concert hall and all, and the day I lost one of my not so close but very dear friend, Walter. For the friends and family in States, he passed away on 4th of January, but on this side of the earth it’s already 5th. Time really plays a tricky role in this. ‘Cuz I got the devastated news right before we had to go on stage to perform that morning. I remembered that I just got back from the rehearsal, about to check the facebook for updating news on Walt, then, I saw the look on Kid’s face. Then I know. At that point, I had no choice but rushed to the bathroom for a 10 min good cry then pulled myself together for the performance. The band did good that day. And that’s how I’ll always remember that day, intertwined with all the sweet and sorrow bitter-sweet, sweet-bitter memories.
During the time I worked with/for Walter and Nancy at Chili Night, I’d always been a lil scared of Walt, for his mouth covered under the mustache so you never really see if he’s upset or not. Plus, he liked to tease people. And he’s cranky sometimes. And he’s my boss. He’s teasing you on his good day, but would get cranky if you interrupted him from his sitting down enjoying beer and TV time behind the bar. You see what I mean? His face really messed with your head, especially if you don’t know him well. But besides the confusing facial expression, he’s just a very nice man.
I remember there’s one time, I waitressed on one of my first tables, a group had ordered a pitch of QE2, which is No.4 on our special margarita list, but I was so nervous so I misheard it and ordered a pitch of No.2 instead. Though Walt was very upset for the huge price difference, not only he still fixed the drinks for me and the customers but never asked me to pay for the price gap. Or the time when I overused the electric kitchen equipments in my cabin which led to a fuse burned-up situation and inevitably had to call for the rescue. He came in short time, called me a pain-in-the-ass with a smile but still fix it up for me. Or the time when I got 'coins' for tips, Jodie chased the customers out of the restaurant and threw the penny back at them. I was a lil affected by it, Walt just kept telling me not to mind those people, ‘cuz you won’t see them again. He’s just the type of the guy with a big heart though doesn’t usually show it, but always help clean up your mess while murmuring it. And I love him and always be grateful for it.
3 years ago in 2017, I had a chance to take a trip to States and visit the friends and family in Indian Lake. My girl friend and I went dining in Chili Night for the good old time memory, when we finished our dinner, we got a warmhearted note written “You don’t come the long way to pay for your dinner.” And that was it. I also remember the short time I spent at Nancy’s with Walt, Jodie, famous Olivia, and the animals. The first thing Walt said to me was “Guess what? I’m still kicking!”, with a giant smile on his face. A face that can’t be misread because I know he’s genuinely happy to see me. We hugged and had a good laugh that day and I had never felt this close with him ever. The time was so wonderful that I dreamed one day Klaudyna and I, Jodie and Lizzie would all bring our kids and hang out together, or maybe even make our kids wait on tables at Chili Night. Little did I know, that was the last time I see him or Chili Night, and the actual goodbye to both of them.
So sorry couldn’t make it to your funeral.
Here’s my goodbye, Walt.
I’ll keep you in my heart with Chili Night and your killer margaritas.
ps. Just started to watch a show called “Scorpion” on Netflix, guess what’s the main character’s name. Walter!
The universe is trying to tell me something, or someone. :)
All hearts and thoughts go to Harr’s family, my sweet friends in Indian Lake, at this time of year.
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