Flying High

I waited on a pilot and his lover who’d been drinking a decent amount of wine before they arrived at my last open table of the evening.  I use the word “decent” amount of wine because they told me they already enjoyed two bottles before they came in.  I’d say that’s pretty decent.  And I use the word “lover” for two reasons.  First, they were adorably cute together and very touchy feely.  Second, the pilot kept mentioning his son, not their son.  Perhaps they were married but I don’t recall seeing a wedding ring on either of them. 

Nonetheless, within the first minute of introducing myself, the gentleman told me he was a pilot and had been flying back and forth to Mexico the past few weeks.  He told me he was leaving the next day back to Mexico, yet again, and invited me on the spot.  I love when strangers just throw themselves out there with complete trust.  There I was, a total unknown, and he had zero hesitation inviting me on a trip out of the country… not that Mexico is far, but still.  I’m not sure if he was actually flying commercially or for pleasure, but either way, if I could have taken a few days off, I would have in a heartbeat (assuming he was actually asking me, not the bottle of wine). 

The pilot then informed me he was from Sonoma {California}.  My eyes lit up.  “Wine country!  I love it up there!”  I told them how I fell in love with wine while living in Chile and studied wine immediately after I moved back to California.  He told me he knew several winemakers in Sonoma.  I responded, “I could easily see myself working in wine country.  It’s definitely been one of my dreams for a while.”  

I glanced at my other tables, making sure everyone was taken care of before I enthusiastically continued.  “I actually have a really good friend who’s from Sonoma.  In fact, she is getting married at the end of June and her wedding is there.”   His reaction was spectacular.  “Oh really?!  Well, we’d love to take you to dinner when you’re there!”  I smiled.  Of course he would.  I mean he already invited me to Mexico.

His eyes then popped and he flashed a curious grin to his lady.   She giggled, rolled her eyes and then lightly slapped his hand a bit.  He looked at her innocently, “What?”  She looked up at me and smiled.  The pilot explained, “My son lives in Sonoma as well.  He’s very handsome.  Isn’t he dear?”  She obligatorily agreed.  Or perhaps he truly is handsome.  The pilot immediately told me to take his son’s email and phone number.   He said I HAD to meet up with him for lunch while I was there.  So, with wishful thinking, and hoping he truly is handsome, I did.

I can’t help but to wonder…  Was it because the pilot was flying high on wine that he invited me to Mexico and was handing out lunch dates with his son?   Or was he simply that outgoing, welcoming and trusting?   

Since he’s long gone now, I guess there is only one way to find out.  I mean, I do have his son’s phone number.  Perhaps I should schedule a lunch date in late June to investigate further.   

And perhaps I’ll have a killer follow up to ‘Flying High’ around early July. 

Once again, serving humanity (a.k.a. waiting tables) provides much more entertainment than the average person might assume.   ~ HK ~