it’s been months, but new zealand finally opened back up recently. alexis and i went. we ordered takeout to sit and eat in the car. as they call my number, i go in to get my food. as i’m getting my food, this white guy with a superman cut off shirt notices a pregnant black lady standing at the front of the line leaning on the counter. he goes to bring her a chair and she smiled and said she didn’t need one as she would make the order and go sit in her car. i get my food and i make it back out to the car to realize we didn’t get any silverware. i sat my food down and went back to ask for two sets. as i’m in there, this black guy is yelling over the counter to the owner. he says “mr. jimmy, i love you. i love you mr. jimmy. you know i’m your favorite customer.” the white guy looks at him and says “wait a minute, how are you his favorite customer, i’ve spent thosands here.” they laugh about it and then he asks me if i’m a delivery driver because he saw me get food and now i’m back. i told him i’m just getting silverware. as i walk out, the black guy is sitting outside staring at his receipt. he asks me if i could tell him what order number he is because he couldn’t see well. i told him order #290. he thanks me and i head back to the car with the silverware. as we are eating, i see the white guy with the cutoff shirt come out with his food and sit and talk to the black guy for 15 minutes. during the 15 minutes, they call the pregnant lady’s order and she comes out with her food to join in the convo for a few minutes. as i’m observing, eating, i’m thinking to myself how great of a friday night this is. this is what america is really like, this is what america is supposed to be. this social media nonsense isn’t the true reality of america. is america perfect? hell no, not by any means, but there’s no place else i’d rather be.
and despite what other people may tell you, look at where their actions have lead them.
-ratha, 9:43pm, 6.12.20