Talking Across Texas

I have been my husband’s traveling sidekick since this past Tuesday.

For the last two days we have been in a small South Texas town that is currently experiencing an oil boom.

(there is a post brewing in my thinking on this topic, but that is for another day)

So, left to my own devices, while my husband and his colleagues took care of business obligations, I explored , sat in a window booth at a local restaurant multiple times, drove to another town 40 miles away to explore some more, and read James Lee Burke’s latest Dave Robicheaux novel titled The Glass Rainbow.

While sitting in my booth one day at lunch, as my friend JB would say,

I got into

“some more of my business”

which translates to

NONE of my business.

I couldn’t help myself.

It is that edifying compulsion.

Later, after I told my husband what I had done,he said I should have my own radio show, offering advice to all who call in,

called

Talking Across Texas.

Call in folks! You didn’t know you needed advice, but Laura’s in the house, and

SHE THINKS YOU DO!

This is what I did…

I noticed the attire of the three young waitresses in the restaurant as well as the predominantly male clientele.

I also noticed a little too much familiarity.

From my stake-out position, I observed this on multiple occasions.

I made my decision.

 

I may as well have changed clothes in a phone booth- from my cropped pants and Yellowbox jeweled flip flops to

my Superwoman alias stern faced English teacher voice of doom persona.

 

I motioned for the waitress assigned to my booth to come over-

 

Me:  (smiling) Hi.

You’re doing a great job.

How old are you?

Her Answer:  22

Me:  That’s wonderful- you have so much to look forward to- what are your plans?

Her Answer:  Nothing right now.

Me:  Well, you have your whole life ahead of you, and there are all sorts of ways to get an education, and you have choices.

Her Answer:  Really?

Me:  Yes of course- you can do it- but I am VERY worried about something and as the mother of 3 adult daughters I feel like I need to say this. 

This restaurant is filled with men of all ages all day long and there is too much flirting going on. It can create false impressions.

You need to be careful.

Promise me you will be careful.

Tell the other girls too. Do your job, smile, and save your tips so when those choices come along you are ready.

Promise?

Answer:  Yes m’am.

 

I ALMOST said something to the owner who was sitting at the cash register about looking out for these young women throughout the day,

but I didn’t.

***

Call 1-800-Talking Across Texas

with Laura…

My daughters are saying- right this minute-

“Welcome to my World!”

 

 

 

 

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