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I Got Lost

matthewmurray.substack.com

I Got Lost

Matthew Murray
Mar 1
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I Got Lost

matthewmurray.substack.com
Edited Photo by cdd20 on Unsplash

Sometime back,

Rebecca Holden
from
Dear Reader, I'm lost
asked her readers if they have ever been lost. I couldn’t remember at the time that I had. Months later, I thought of two instances.

I’m going to talk about one of those times right here.

Enjoy!

Before Covid hit and the entire world and things were shutdown, I used to go out twice a year with my uncle and my Mom’s other sister.

My uncle just called up out of the blue about 8 years ago and wanted to take us all out for our birthday dinner. It’s unknown why he started doing this. The birthday dinner would include him, me, my Mom, and my Aunt C. Before that we hadn’t seen each other in around 8 years, even though we only live a few miles from each other. As I’ve stated before his family is kind of strange in the different things they do.

We would be going out for my birthday and my Mom’s birthday. My birthday is in July and hers is in October. So twice a year we would see him and my Aunt.

On this occasion, he wanted to eat at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. It is located about 20 minutes to the south from my location at the time. I had never been there before. My Aunt C picked me up at my house. On this particular day, my Mom had to stay at home because we were expecting a package and they had told us that they would call the evening before the delivery. We didn’t want to miss it if we were out having dinner. So she decided to stay at home.

As we pulled into the parking lot, there were hardly any places to park. It was packed. If you’ve never been to a Cheddar’s, the front of the building is stone with brown double doors.

When we walked into the lobby, there was my uncle standing waiting for us. He was surprised to see that my Mom was not with us. I explained the situation.

We walked to where the hostess was standing behind a small podium. She asked my Aunt how many were in our party. We walked down the aisles back toward the back of the restaurant. My Aunt was first, followed by me, and then my Uncle. As usual, my uncle never wants to be the first person either walking to the table or in front. We sat down at a round table. My aunt was on my right, with my uncle across the table from me.

There were a lot of people in the restaurant. They had tables in the front and near the back. They were separated by a divider. There was also a separate room where more people were seated.

While we were waiting for our food, they talked about different things that I had no idea what they were talking about. I have been out of the loop with them for a long time. My mom and I have been estranged from them, except for these times when he takes us out to dinner or lunch. That is a whole ‘nother story.

I told them about the story, “Who Stole My Underwear”. They laughed.

When it was time to leave, my uncle always wants to be last when leaving. I got up from the table and my Aunt went first. I got disoriented and went the wrong direction to go back to the front. I had entered into one of the other dining rooms. I saw tons of people at multiple round tables. There were servers trying to get around me. Sweat was rolling down my face. I didn’t know where I was. I turned around and here is my uncle smiling and laughing. I was lost and I didn’t think it was so funny! I still don’t think it’s funny.

Conclusion

I don’t understand why he couldn’t have just come over and pointed me in the correct direction. And why he has to laugh at stuff that isn’t appropriate to laugh at, I don’t know. I don’t understand him most of the time. Like I said, he is a little strange. He’s always been that way.

Until next time, happy reading.

-Matt

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I Got Lost

matthewmurray.substack.com
7 Comments
Pennie R. S. Nelson
Writes Pennie's Writing's
Mar 6Liked by Matthew Murray

I used to get turned around easily when I would come out of a store in a mall. For some reason I had to stop and look at the rest of the stores around me to remember which direction I was going. My ex would always tease me about that.

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Ms. Writer
Writes Life Matters
Mar 2Liked by Matthew Murray

Some people don't realize that laughing at another's misstep is insensitive. I, too get confused in buildings where I've never been before (and sometimes in those that are familiar!)

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