Marilynne's World

Am I a true grouch or are the restaurants out to get me?  Yesterday I ate a quick light supper because I wanted to go to a Dana Stabenow book signing at Mysterious Galaxy.   It’s almost an hour’s drive from my home, but I thought it was worth the effort.  Dana is one of my favorite authors.

Dana didn’t disappoint, but later, on the way home, I began to get the yukky feeling of low blood sugar.  I still had a long way to drive when I pulled into Coco’s.  I was anticipating cheating a little with a slice of their yummy pie and a cup of coffee.  I needed the carb boost, I might as well enjoy it.

When the waitress brought my chocolate cream pie and decaf I was really looking forward to it.  I picked off a bit of curled chocolate decorations and put it in my mouth – and took it right out again.  It tasted like slightly rancid shortening and very little chocolate.  I took the rest of it off the pie.  The same was true for the filling.  It wasn’t the dark, rich chocolate I was anticipating.  It was a pale chocolate with a very odd flavor.  Somebody’s been shorting the recipe of the expensive ingredients – that’s what I thought.  The “whip cream” topping had congealed and tasted like it had been in the refrigerator too long.  The crust – well, I took a tiny bite of the cardboard and decided I didn’t need to eat the crust.

I did need the carbs though, and instead of ordering something else, which I should have, I picked up my book and read while I ate.  When I read I don’t taste things as much.

The pie was so awful that I laid into the waitress about how awful the pie was.  She didn’t say anything.  I wonder if she went into the bathroom and cried.  For a while, I felt justified in speaking up.  The pie had tasted stale and “off” and I felt she shouldn’t have served it.  Then I had a change of heart.  She hadn’t made the pie.  I left her a tip.

I’d hardly gone to bed when the dreaded Montezuma’s Revenge began.  I didn’t sleep until my entire system was empty.  This morning I woke feeling terrible and have felt that way all day.  I think that pie was more than bad tasting.  I think I have food poisoning.

So, this evening, I’m thinking again about my part in it.  As a diabetic I know I need to be ready to handle low blood sugar, especially when I’m traveling.  I know how to take care of it.  A sandwich, a plate of eggs and toast, or a hamburger would have taken care of it, but I wanted that little cheat, the pie.

Then I feel angry again.  That pie was probably days old.  It shouldn’t have been put out to be served.  It should have gone where all pies go when they’re too old – in the garbage.

So, today as I begin to recover, I think maybe they did me a favor.  I’ll remember that pie and not eat it at Coco’s again.  I’ll also remember to eat a sandwich, not a sweet when I have low blood sugar problems.

I’m still angry with Coco’s.

Marilynne