While hoping it wouldn’t happen, the angry man from downstate did show his ugly face. I was wine cellaring, busy with my little coven of bottles, when through the window I watched a family walk onto the restaurant patio without masks. Our rule is posted and our young teenage staff at the front was specific about wearing masks upon entry. Once at the table, masks are optional. This guy, with his angry mug goes out to his car, and upon his return, I ask, “Sir, do you have a mask?” His angry affected tone retort, “I’m outside I don’t need a mask. We’ll leave the restaurant.” Since I haven’t been privy to all the set-ups of the seating protocols, I didn’t say anything, but later asked if I would have been correct to say, “Sorry sir, then yes, you may not dine with us today.” Turns out after he blew by the young teen host, I should have encouraged him to leave. I felt as angry as he was after the altercation. I’ve been prepared for these folks to come into our small town and be like this, but I was unprepared for the visceral reaction. I spent the remainder of the day with this moron in my head thinking now that this is why so many shops, stores, and businesses have not opened. They were worried this was going to be the daily fight; the daily altercation that makes our Petoskey experience not fun anymore. COVID has transpired to make us all edgy, but we’ve been able to avoid the angst by practicing appropriate precautions and making our community safe. Then the angry man from downstate appears. I’m really not sure what the future holds with this transition. And for a rare time in my life, I’m guarded and not hopeful. That makes my days unusual, and me contemplating a strange temperament from my norm.
The Angry Man from Downstate
May 28, 2020
stewert james
The Author
An author with a story. Living in a quiet Northern Michigan community, nestled into a serene Lake Michigan bay, James writes to the rhythms of current events mixed with romanticism and experience that can only be found by living the same adventures. Whether it’s a provocative story line or blog, this website will certainly take you beyond the keyboard.
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