Table for two

While we were at the beach last weekend, we went to one of our favorite local restaurants, The Verandah, for dinner. We didn't have reservations, and they were busy, but after a short wait, we were seated at one of those long skinny tables for two.

We studied the menu as we sipped our drinks, a pinot noir for him and an O'Doul's for me, and we smiled at each other and waved over the great expanse of the table. Finally, Jimmy summoned our waitress and said, "I'm afraid this isn't working. Could you move us to a square table when one is available?"

We soon moved, and were much happier.

It says a lot about the stage of life you're in when you want to sit close together, not because it's romantic, but because it's the only way you can hear well enough to carry on a conversation.