The NEXT Part ;)

The girls gather themselves up after a few minutes and I'm left to myself. What a fabulous day this has been and it's barely noon... Which means time for a lunch break. I flip the open/closed sign to closed and grab my purse. I'm headed to "Nicks" for a bite to eat. No better pasta or salad can be found on the planet in my opinion.I love this place not only because it has fabulous food but because they have outdoor seating and they always play Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.There is a wonderful breeze and as I walk across the street and down towards Kenton Street I can smell the garlic and onions. My mouth is watering. Frankie is coming in on the outdoor speakers singing "Come Back to Sorrento". I open the front door and wave to Nick who reminds me of Sylvester Stallone."Marie will be right out." he says even sounding like Stallone. I smile feeling like I'm in a "Rocky" movie. Marie, "Nick's" sister hands me a menu after I take a seat by the front window. I smile and say " Hi there Marie." She smiles, but not in her usual way,"Hi Jenna, what can I get you to drink?" I'm a little worried,"Coke with lemon please." "Is Pepsi o.k?" "Yeah." Why do I never remember that. I feel dumb. Something isn't right with Marie, so I ask her."How's your Mom doing?" She sighs,"She's o.k. Dad is still driving her to dialysis but his eyesight is getting so bad...soon Nick or I will have to take her." "I'm sorry to hear that, I'm still praying for her,for all of you. Its hard on everyone I know. When my Mom got sick it was really tough for all of us." Her brown eyes look out into the street. She is really exhausted." Thanks Jenna, I'll be right back with your drink." I wish I could really make a difference in people's lives, people are all around me and I see them struggle everyday. I think I have the gift of perception. It's like I am keenly tuned to the feelings and emotions of others. The wheels of my mind begins to spin thinking of how God might further use this gift. Maria is back with my drink. "Thanks, have you taken your break yet?"I ask her. She shakes her head no. "Why don't you have some lunch with me?" "Well, we're not very busy," she looks around, there are no other customers,"o.k, what would you like?" I hand her my menu and say "Whatever you get is fine with me." She is smiling a little more now. " Alright, Nick just finished a lasagna, it's my favorite, does that sound o.k?" asks Maria. "That sounds great." "I'll be right back." she says as she heads to the kitchen.