"What do you recommend?"
"Our cotoletta alla petroniana is the best in this region, sir."
"Okay, give me that and one lasagna."
"And hurry up."
*
"You can't just leave sir, " Andy said in a plaintive voice.
"Well, I can't waste my time waiting for food that takes so long to prepare."
"But sir, the food will be served shortly."
"You didn't tell me it takes that long to prepare this...whatever you call it.."
"Sir, we can't withdraw the orders, they're cooked already."
*
"You'll have to pay for the food," the head waiter scowled at him. "They were your customers."
"Can't I have it deducted next month?"
"It is already in-voiced; you'll have to pay for the entire amount today." The voice was stern, almost unfeeling.
"But..."
"That is the rule, take it or leave it!"
*
He had to borrow money to pay the $ 240.00 for the lasagna and cotoletta alla petroniana. He brought the food home, gave some to his vagrant friends and ate some himself. His back was aching like hell but he still got one more job to go to.
"Good evening sir, welcome to Giogatto"s," he led the group to a nearby table.
"Honey, I don't know what to eat, " the woman crooned to the man.
"Let's see the menu"
He kept his peace. He learned a lesson well.
"What about this, two Pezzetti di cavallo and one Baccala alla vicentina. "
"Wine, sir?"
"Yes, 2 Vino Nobile Montepulciano."
"Would that be all sir?"
"Yes, for God's sake, stop hovering over us! "
*
Andiyan na ang pasalubong!" (The packages have arrived!) Tina was shouting with so much joy in her tiny frame.
"Ang daming padala ni kuya Andy!" (Andy has sent us so many gifts)
"This is for you Tina," a big, talking and walking doll.
"This one's for you Joy." It was the latest cell phone model.
"And these are for me and your papa." Celia was excitedly displaying her new, dark blue coat.
Dozens of grocery and household items were closely packed in the remaining space of the balikbayan's package. (packages coming from relatives abroad) And an airmail envelope was on the table top with a thick bundle of cash in it.
" Andy has made it big in Italy! " Celia was brimming all over with motherly pride and joy. "He works as a nurse in one of the big hospitals." Their dilapidated house, was crowded with curious neighbors.
*
Andy finally laid down his fatigued body on the hard mattress. He had to work three jobs in a day to be able to send money home. He did not want to disappoint his parents. They had spent so much in his nursing education. There were immigration procedures though that he had to accomplish first before he could work officially as a nurse in one of the hospitals.
He lied to them about his work. It was the first time he had lied. It would be embarrassing to let them know the truth. He turned and stared at the ceiling.
Come to think of it, what was embarrassing about working honestly for a living? He should be proud of it! He has to tell the truth in his next letter: that in the three diners he was working for, he was "The Waiter".