The "look"

I'm back at my post in a McDonald's booth in Hart, MI to get my internet fix for the day. My cell phone doesn't even work at my Dad's house, no internet. Ah the good old days before the addiction to information and communication came along. Hell, I remember having a "party line" when I was a kid. I still hold the phone receiver to my ear to see if anyone is "on the line" before I dial when using a regular phone. Old habits die hard I guess.

I'm about to head out of my home town. I've been gone for 20+ years, but there are people who still remember me. I feel sad to leave, it's been so wonderful to immerse myself in that small town life for the past few days, with people I actually know. It makes me so much more aware of how isolated we are down in NC. I seriously need to rectify that and get out more, try to become a part of the community in Indian Trail.

But, not EVERYONE remembers me, lol. Both mornings walking into McDonalds, and at one of the local food joints with my dad, I got that small town "look" from all the locals. You know, the one where they all turn to see who's coming in the door, then give you a good once over 'cause they don't know who you are. The "look" is compounded by the fact that everyone DOES know who my dad is, and people always mistake me for his "date" rather than his daughter. He's only 19 years older than I am, so I suppose that would be an honest mistake to make at this point. He usually introduces me right away as his daughter so there is no misunderstanding. Although at the bowling alley last night I didn't get introduced to everyone, lol, so I'm sure some of his buddies have the wrong idea. Oh well, let them think what they want. My dad's pretty cool, good lookin' guy, he could get a girl 20 years younger if he wanted to.

I try to drive out by Lake Michigan whenever I'm home. You just don't realize how amazingly glorious the beaches and dunes are here until you can't see them whenever you want. Those of us who grew up going to Silver Lake & Pentwater beaches feel a certain bond with the lakes. I feel drawn to it when I'm home, just to see it, make sure it's still there, get a taste of that familiar air and comfortable feeling you get just from seeing that blue water and white sand. We did the whole coast from Silver Lake to Ludington, so beautiful, I feel a little rejuvenated.

Dad and I ate at Hart Pizza last night, which was the only place to hang out after 9 o'clock in Hart when I was in highschool. Steve and I had our first date there. Dad and I sat in the very booth where that date took place. Hart Pizza is expanding and moving to a new location, which is wonderful. In this economy to have a business that is actually growing is awsome. But...my heart sinks just a little knowing that's the last time I'll sit in that booth. I took a picture of it.

As I sit here, I'm blatantly listening to the conversations around me. One table is discussing fishing boats, how to repair an engine and their favorite spots to fish. Another is a grandmother who has brought her two small grandchildren in for a Happy Meal, and she's trying to get them to eat every last bite. Almost every man in here is doning a baseball hat, and I count 4 of them that are camouflage, 1 John Deer, and a Ski-doo. Let's see what else, 2 pair of bib overhauls, 4 plaid shirts, some Carharts, an Amish family and an entire restaurant full of people that look damned happy. They're cracking jokes, laughing, talking about family and friends...this is a great place to have lunch. I'm all done with my hamburger happy meal. I really should get some gas and hit the road, but I just don't want to leave the warm fuzzy feeling I get from sitting in the midst of my hometown people, even though they don't know who I am.

We'll be back in July and I can get another re-fill on the hometown goodness. We'll get mistaken for just another tourist family, and I'm sure we'll get that "look" when we hit the local non-tourist hotspots, but that's ok. Steve and I will know the truth, this is still our town.