Randy Jackson leaned over to look out of the café window, setting his coffee down as he did so. His wife Jackie looked at him questioningly from across the table.
“There they come,” said Randy. “I hope they’re wearing their high rubber boots because some of those sidewalk puddles are deep.”
“You don’t want to venture out there on foot unless you know how to swim,” Jackie agreed. “That’s springtime on the Prairies for you.”
“Finally,” said Randy. “Here they are,” he added, and a moment later the café door opened and Andrew and Rose stepped inside, wiping their wet boots on the mat before heading over to join Randy and Jackie.
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Are we going to call this meeting to order or what?” Brady Jackson leaned back in his chair and looked…
“Good morning kids,” said Rose, draping her light spring coat over the back of her chair before seating herself. “Sorry we’re late.”
“Hi,” said Randy and Jackie in unison. “And don’t worry about it,” Randy continued, “we are not in a hurry today.”
“Have you ordered breakfast?” asked Andrew.
“Not yet,” said Jackie. “Just enjoying our coffee. The coffee here is really good.”
“It is, isn’t it?” said Rose. “Thank goodness this town is too small to have a Timmie’s or we’d all be stuck drinking that swill, like in Winkler. Or Morden.”
Jackie laughed. “Oh my,” she said. “Somebody doesn’t like Timmie’s coffee?”
“Some people love that stuff, Mom,” said Randy. “Some people will drive through this town, past this café, all the way to Winkler just to have a cup.”
“Some people are crazy,” said Rose. “The only fast-food place that has decent coffee is McDonald’s. But it takes more than coffee to make a decent breakfast, thank you very much. Speaking of which, have you had the eggs Benedict here? The hollandaise sauce is just divine.”
“I have,” said Jackie. “And I agree.”
“Why would you want to spoil the wonderful flavour of fresh sunny-side-up eggs by dousing them with a lemony yellow pudding?” said Andrew. “What a waste of perfectly good eggs.”
“Well said Pops,” said Randy.
“It’s not pudding,” said Rose. “It’s a delightfully creamy, slightly tangy sauce that perfectly complements the deliciousness of the eggs.”
Randy and Andrew looked at each other across the table.
“Yuck,” said Randy.
Rose looked at Jackie and shrugged. “You can’t teach good taste,” she said.
“I’ve discovered that myself,” said Jackie.
“Fortunately,” said Andrew, “you can buy good taste here, in the form of the rancher’s special which includes, eggs, hashbrowns, toast, pancakes, bacon, sausages and ham, all completely unencumbered by yellow puddings of any kind. Just salt and pepper and, if you’re a moron like Ralph Bargen, ketchup.”
“I heard that,” said Ralph Bargen who was sitting at the next table. “I’ll have you know that the only intelligent way to eat eggs is with ketchup. It’s the only way to get the protein without having to experience the flavour.”
“You could also do it with hollandaise sauce,” said Andrew.
“Please leave me out of your family breakfast squabbles,” said Ralph. “But don’t mind if I listen in. It’s quite entertaining.”
“Go ahead,” said Andrew. “It’s a free country.”
“How about a free breakfast?” said Randy. “Are you buying?”
“Sure, why not?” said Andrew. He waved the server over. “We’ll have two rancher’s specials,” he said, “and two eggs bennys, please.”
“Will you be needing any ketchup?” the server asked.
“What kind of a question is that?” said Andrew. “Do I look like Ralph Bargen to you?”
The server glanced over at the next table. “A little,” she said. “Your moustaches are similar.”
Andrew looked surprised. “Oh,” he said. “Well anyway, no ketchup, thanks.”
“I’ll be back,” said the server and disappeared into the kitchen.
“Is Jennifer staying with the kids all day?” asked Rose.
“She is,” Randy answered. “We have the day off. And we are going to the city after breakfast. We’re going to wander around Princess Auto and then Polo Park and buy things we don’t need and then we’re going to go out for dinner and eat ridiculous things like sushi and calamari and pulled pork and then we’re going to a movie.”
“Wow,” said Rose. “Sounds exhausting. Good thing you’re starting with a hearty breakfast.”
“You should never go to Princess Auto on an empty stomach,” said Andrew. “You’re liable to come home with a new barbecue and a full set of barbecue utensils when you totally don’t need them.”
“Speaking from experience?” said Jackie.
Andrew nodded.
“Well then, double thank you for the breakfast,” said Jackie. “No empty stomachs for us.”
Andrew grinned. “That’s me,” he said. “Always looking out for the youngsters.”
