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
