There are about 15 or so individuals, all me, standing outside the front door of the restaurant. It opens at 6.30, just 10 minutes away, but already, these regulars of Two Fat Sisters, are jockeying for position to be one of the first ones in should they unlock the doors early.
Two Fat Sisters sits on the south side of Hwy. 72 between the turn-off to go to downtown Tuscumbia (or my house) and the turn-off to go to Muscle Shoals. They are only open for breakfast and lunch, but it is the breakfast crowd that is the subject of today's fascination. The parking lot now has about 20 or so cars in it as a few more brave souls get out of their vehicles and congregate near the soon-to-be-unlocked door. Most all ware wear jeans. Some have camo tops and hats, while others are wearing plaid/flannel shirts.
It's cool on this partly cloudy Saturday. My phone says it is 57 degrees and will be in the upper 70's by this afternoon. I can live with that. It is now past 6.30 and a few of the natives are getting restless. Some rub their hands together like we are in the Canadian Yukon, while others alternate their balance from their left foot to their right.
'She's coming," one or the ones near the door hollers to those gathered round. There is a little grumbling, and one person mutters a "'bout time," under his breath, but most are just hungry and want some coffee. As the doors open, the patrons hear to their assigned seats, or so it sems. Within a minute, the 30 or so patrons who have been waiting have found seats that suit their needs.
Within seconds, one of the three waitresses on duty, i don't recognize any of them, has brought me a mug of coffee. You know the kind, white stone wear that are as sturdy as Gibraltar. She asks if I need cream. I politely decline but do tell her I would like some water with my coffee. She asks if I am ready to order and I tell her I am. Without waiting, I order a sausage/cheese omelet, hash browns with grilled onions, (I know, I almost asked for them smothered like that place with the yellow lights that is open 24 hours) and some sourdough toast.
I'm sitting in one of the corners and obviously cannot hear everyone's order, but most appear to be some combination of bacon and eggs. One poor soul order grits and whole wheat toast. His friends look at him like he in his death bad.
One of the owners is working the room like Sinatra at the Sands. A pat on everyone's shoulder, some small talk and then heading to the next table. She stops at my table. She knows me and immediately says, "where have you been? I haven't seen you in ages." I recognize her, I have been through this routine before. I tell her that M and I have been on vacation, then I got sick for a week. She asks where we went, and I said Hilton Head, South Carolina. She knows of the place, but confesses to having not been there, she has been as close as Savannah, which is about 30 miles.
As our discussion winds down, my breakfast arrives, and she excuses herself to go visit someone else. I look at my plate and it is pleasing. The plastic oval shape is half-filled by the omelet. The hash browns take up a large share of the plate as well and I can tell be the aroma they were generous with the onions, while the toast is just hanging out on the side hoping to be noticed.
I am just about to bow my head and quietly give thanks for my food when my waitress stops to top off my coffee. I thank her and continue with my prayer. I give thanks for my food, pray for M and much of her family who are in Guatemala for a nephew's wedding, my mother and stepfather, who are having aging issues, and for a good friend whose father is having surgery this morning.
After my prayer, I quickly find the pepper and the strawberry jam. There is pepper sauce on the table but no hot sauce. Next time she comes by she has sone Tabasco in her hand, which I liberally sprinkle over my eggs and hash browns.
The food, as always, is delicious. It is filling and satisfies the soul. My bill is just over $11 for this feast. I pay for my breakfast and leave a four-dollar tip.
Before I go, I should mention their meat-and-three is a wonderful lunch, particularly for Sunday dinner.
Well, my day is off to a great start. Time to watch some football.
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