Garage Sailing

Frank A. Fiorello; peace, love, and a loaded gun.

After struggling to sleep and ultimately abandoning the idea, I was able to compose myself and head out for breakfast with my fellow traveler from the night before.

As we entered the coney and found our spot, the waitress came up to our booth and asked what are drinking? “Nothing clearly, as this is our first interaction with anyone here that could possibly bring us a beverage.” This line would I knew cause some level of contempt. So I kept these words in my head and what came from my mouth was: “water is fine for now.”

Our server guaranteed she would return in two minutes, and I playfully stated that I started the timer. We bantered and I adjusted both my partner's and my own posture, considering it imperative at that particular moment.

Upon glancing out the window, we noticed an unremarkable woman walking toward the restaurant. Our server interrupted our people-watching and returned with our waters, asking for our order. I selected the country skillet for my pleasant companion, and I decided on the gyro skillet.

Upon our arrival, an Uber Eats delivery driver was already waiting for their order. The waitress had already taken care of resolving the technical issues that had arisen with the order on their end. She then assisted a carry-out customer who had an eccentric appearance, as if they had just finished boating for the day.

When dining out, there is always a moment of anticipation for the food to arrive. In our case, the waitress brought out our orders, but they were not quite what we had expected. Instead of the skillets we had requested, we were served omelets. We brought this to the waitress's attention and she took responsibility for the mistake. We decided to make the best of the situation and enjoy our meal despite the error.

We consumed our meals and discussed unusual events, people, and information we overheard from other parts of the diner. Then, the Uber Eats delivery driver's outward appearance of normalcy suddenly faded, revealing a troubled and hostile demeanor.

Our server, the only one on duty, prepared and handed over the order to a peculiar woman. Upon reviewing her order, she proceeded to the exit. However, the delivery person halted suddenly and reprimanded the server, saying, 'Don't you ever touch my phone again!' The young lady was taken aback and responded politely with an 'Excuse me?' thinking the matter had been resolved. But there was more to come.

The delivery worker stormed out of the diner after angrily telling the employee that touching her phone would be stealing her energy. The waitress and other patrons were left stunned. She later described the incident as the scariest thing she had ever experienced, but my partner noted that her perspective might have been influenced by a sheltered life. In contrast, my granddaughter was recently bitten by our dog, which could be perceived as a more frightening experience. Ultimately, the degree of trauma is subjective and can vary greatly from person to person.

We concluded our meals and took care of the bill, including a gratuity. This experience will undoubtedly be referenced frequently, as will the documentation. The waitress inquired if we required anything else, to which I replied, 'You can replenish our energy levels.' We all shared a laugh, and I trust that it helped to ease the situation as we departed.

We embarked on a quest for garage sales, an iconic Michigan summer activity. With a keen eye for hidden gems, we navigated the art of negotiation, settling on mutually beneficial deals. The thrill of the hunt was reflected in our polished and professional tone, showcasing our business acumen.

Unquestionably, a fun-filled day with family and friends, complemented by the thrill of the hunt and the potential discovery of treasured items for home or garden. Additionally, collectors can find heavily discounted items for their prized collections. The most significant aspect of this experience is the shared laughter and conversation with chosen companions.

A treasure trove of fantastic decorations, books, art, and practical items. Having explored only a few places and with many more on the horizon, this sailing session was poised to be exciting and fruitful. We made our way to a block with four garage sales and completed the first two. We decided to walk down the street to the next sale while she fetched the vehicle to indulge in a quick smoke break.

At this juncture, our journey encountered an unforeseen obstacle. The gas-powered vehicle in which our companions were traveling unexpectedly failed to start, bringing our excursion to an abrupt standstill. The atmosphere of lighthearted banter and amusement instantly shifted to one of consternation and serious concern.

While maintaining a balanced level of responsibility and personal flair, we prioritize insurance coverage. In this instance, we notified our insurance provider, who efficiently dispatched a swift tow truck, reminiscent of the urgency displayed by Jimmy John's delivery services.

We entered the Uber that Jon had ordered for us and proceeded towards the Greenhouse in the Wilderness. As we waited for the vehicle to arrive at our preferred destination for our mechanic to work on it, our conversation covered a range of topics.

We decided to proceed to the shop and gather information on the vehicle's status, hoping for a favorable outcome, though apprehension about an unfavorable outcome persisted.

The battery issue presented a minor challenge that could be addressed with a minimal financial burden. As such, the sailing of garages was temporarily suspended, awaiting the replacement battery. We decided to wrap up our day and focus on grocery shopping. Despite this bizarre turn of events, our optimism for a favorable outcome prevailed.