Waiting on You-Episode Six

I left work early with a "headache" on the day I was to meet Mrs. X in person. I hadn't driven all the way to her neck of the woods yet and I sure didn't want to be late for our first meeting.  According to online directions it would take me an hour to get there. I arrived in 40 minutes. That put me at about an hour and twenty minutes ahead of schedule. Maybe she would like to meet earlier?

"Good Afternoon. Jardin."

"Hi, this is Marie and I have a meeting with Mrs. X at 4.  I arrived much earlier than I anticipated and was wondering if she would like to meet sooner."

"Hello, Marie. Hold on, please." After a minute of elevator music played the woman returned to the line. "We would prefer to keep to the specified time slot. She will see you at 4pm." The woman hung up.

Great. What would I do with myself for roughly an hour on foreign turf? I drove reluctantly and nervously down windy, wooded paths until I came to a more populated area. Civilization! Mini malls! I could waste time here for sure.

One fro-yo and a pair of shoes later I drove back up the windy, wooded paths to Amy's Cafe. 

So, when Amy said she had a Cafe she meant rinky-dink Diner.  Now I understand the "casual is an understatement" comment, albeit unnecessary. 

I walked in and peered past the host stand to look for Annette. No signs of her. I sat down on a bench and waited. Twenty minutes later Annette arrived with a portly old lady. Mrs. X wore a long, tan trench coat, black slacks and orthopedic shoes, large black sunglasses and a silk scarf tied around her snow white hair. Annette introduced us and we walked to a booth. I slowed up to allow them to choose seats first. They sat together. Awkward situation #1 avoided.

We began to talk about my schooling, my current job, and why I wanted a career change. Annette and I requested coffee while Mrs. X asked for Bigelow black tea with jasmine. She was forced to settle for Lipton's.

An hour of quizzing went by and we still only had one cup of caffeine each. Our waitress seemed very annoyed. Mrs. X was oblivious. When I felt I had nothing left to say about myself, or anything in general, I decided to excuse myself.  Before I could do so Mrs. X turned to Annette and said, "Should we?" to which Annette replied, "I think so."