Scene: Standing in line at the Hot Bagel Bakery in Oakhurst on Monmouth Road. May 4, 2022. 8 am.
A harried young man rushes over and stands behind me in line:
Young man (YM) to me: Can I get bacon on a bagel here? (He is nervous and agitated and he is in no mood to stand in line)
Me: No you can’t. This place is Kosher.
YM: Oh God….my wife is going to give birth and she has to have this. Can you tell me where I can get bacon on a bagel?
Me: Go across the street to Brennan’s Deli They have these bagels and they have bacon. (Talk about having a smidgen of generally useless information to help change someone’s life!)
YM rolls his eyes, grateful. He thanks me and sprints across Monmouth Road to Brennan’s where there is no line at 8 am.
Woman: Standing in front of me smiles. She knows what magical moments await him when he arrives home with the bagel delivery.
Me: (recollecting what it was like when Eileen was about to give birth) I hope he gets back in time. I am nervous for him.
TONY BENNETT & BILL EVANS:
Loved this story!
jean.tracy@verizon.net