How a plate of warm cookies saved my life. (How I remember it.) Part 1


I started working at this movie theater in Bountiful Utah the day before Star Wars: The Phantom Menace came out. I was hired as one of the Assistant Managers and mainly run the floor. I am a pretty big guy, and large crowds really didn’t scare me. I met most of the employees, except one of the other Assistant Managers, her name: Michelle.

A couple of exhausting days later, I remember a conversation in the “Box” to buy tickets. Literally, a box. See, kids, back then, they had to buy them in person, one or two people could buy at a time. None of this log into a website pre-purchase, then walk-in magic that we have now. Anyways! I had met Michelle at this time, but for some reason ‘dating at work’ was the topic we were discussing, and I remember distinctly saying, “Well, you don’t have to worry about me, I think it is a bad idea.” Hrmmph.

Fast forward a little bit, and I had bought a brand new 2000 Chevy Malibu, and was talking about it, and for some reason I said she could borrow it anytime, not really thinking she would. Her car was not a brand-new car, and not the most reliable thing. I was thinking that she might need to borrow it for a bank run or something like while at work.  

She mentioned before that her and her girl friend was going to see Phantom of the Opera. It was a high-class affair, and she was going to get all dressed up and make a night out of it.  And then she asked to borrow my car for that evening. It happened that I was working the same time she would be there, so it all worked out for her.  My outside voice said Yes! My inside voice said, “OH NO! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE. NOW YOU ARE GOING TO WORRY ABOUT IT THE WHOLE TIME! AAAAAGH…” or something like that.

Now, remind you, we were not dating yet. Hadn’t even thought about it at this point, and now she is taking my new car. I remember it was a busy night, which I was probably glad for so I wouldn’t worry about it. She came in grabbed the keys and left before I could change my mind. But, I did get to see her all dressed up. Wow. No no! She is a co-worker!

My shift ended and I locked up. She parked the car in front of the Ticket Box, to keep it safe. I remember I was exhausted, stressed and just wanted to get home. I jumped in the car and went to start it and something hit me. What was that wonderful smell! I look over and there was a plate of fresh warm chocolate chip cookies.

My drive home was probably the best drive home ever. I don’t remember anything else, but thinking:

 

She’s a keeper.




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