The waitress is listening to the man’s son order a smoothie and macaroni and cheese. No low carb diet for 12 year olds apparently. When it is his turn to to order he can’t decide. Then a feeling of regret and longing and need washes over him. This may be more than the waitress can handle. He’s debating what to order and finally settles on the hummus.

He has no idea where that feeling came from but it was there. He was walking away from something good and by something good I mean more than a Cobb salad. Middle age was here. He was alone. He didn’t need to be. He pushed someone away because it just didn’t feel right.

The hummus arrived. He had forgotten how good it can be even if it doesn’t always feel right. The accompanying pita bread is warm. The vegetables were crisp and fresh.

His son downs the smoothie like water and eats half the mac and cheese before giving into the carb abyss. The man is wondering about hummus and choices. Hummus can be really good if made right and this dish is made right. He dips in a celery stick. Tries and olive. Certainly good enough.

The waitress comes back sometime later and he pays the bill.