by the Observer
[Compatible weight and eating habits are fair enough criteria for a
relationship, but there must be more than that. Ron Barrows was wise enough
to know this, and parlayed his initial attraction into much more than merely
sharing a love of food. This is his story.]
"Why," thought Ron Barrows, parodying an old movie line, "of all the cafes,
restaurants, and fast food joints in town, would this girl choose to make
this place her hangout?"
Not that Rubio's was a bad place. He had been downsized out his job with
plenty of savings but little to do with his time when the cold war ended. It
had been a hiatus of about nine months when his friend Jack Michaels asked
him to come aboard.
"Its not rocket science, but you're a good cook and you'll enjoy a job with
regular hours free of all the stress you've lived with for twenty years.
Besides, if you find you like it I'll sell you a part interest."
It sounded good. For two decades he had worked seventy hour weeks all around
the world, one of the countless engineers who made the machines of the cold
war function. There had been no time for marriage, much less relationships
or a family. Now he was in his late forties and "retired."
He had been friends with Jack since college. Jack was now a successful
businessman with a wife and three kids. So he took Jack's advice and tried
it out. Within a month he was tinkering with the menu and serving as both
head chef and manager in the late evening. Everything was proceeding nicely
until the third Tuesday in June. So far as he remembers that is when she
first came in.
It was shortly before 10:00 when she took a table immediately opposite the
Chef's window. After perusing the menu she took out a book and read until it
came time to place her order --- an appetizer followed by a main course.
Then she stuck her nose in the book while Ron watched.
She was large, probably pushing 200 lbs, but tall enough not to appear
obviously heavy. She had an aura of intelligence about her, but Ron also
detected a note of melancholy which seemed to lift only when the food was
served. She took her time savoring her meal and reading her book, then
ordered dessert. The first time Ron noted this with passing interest, but
thought little more of it. He had always liked larger gals, especially those
not infatuated with the need to diet, but hadn't had time to act on his
preferences.
The next Tuesday she came again. And the next. Ron deliberately put a
little extra effort into her orders and made the portions a little more
generous. He enjoyed seeing her eat every morsel. About the fifth week she
complimented the waitress on the talents of the chef --- then came back on
Thursday. Ron wasn't sure if it was his imagin-ation but it seemed that her
business suit was becoming just a little more snug than at first.
He decided to take a chance. The evening was slow, so he came out from the
kitchen, thanked her for the compliment and for being a regular. He asked
her what her favorite dish was --- it turned out to be the pasta. Then he
asked if she would be willing to serve as his critic for some new menu items
he was considering.
"I would love to," was the reply, "Your cooking is outstanding. But right now
I can't afford more than two nights!"
"If it were on the house, would you like to come on Mondays and Wednesdays?"
Ron replied. She paused a moment, then accepted the offer.
For the next four months Ron served a different item to her each week --- and
several of the ones she praised and enjoyed the most were featured as "Chef's
specials" for the regular clientele. Business began to pick up as people
dropped in to see what was new. By then he was certain that she was adding a
few pounds. He thought it was wonder-ful and found himself filled with desire
for a closer relationship with his best customer.
For her part, Barbara Simmons, for that was the girl's name, was enjoying the
experience as well. She was well aware that her clothes were getting tighter
and knew the reason why --- instead of dinner and dessert out once a week she
had been doing it four times. And the meals themselves were giving her a
couple of thousand extra calories. It was no surprise to her when she finally
mounted a scale after six months and discovered that she had gained fifteen
pounds.
What surprised her was that she had no desire to stop. In a reversal of
traditional roles, Ron's cooking had gotten to her. She went out and
purchased some new outfits, deliberately a size or two larger than she
needed.
Ron noticed the change and complimented her on her taste. Then he inquired
if she would be interested in sharing with him a Saturday evening at a place
where they could just relax. She accepted with a warmth that made him glow
inside.
That Saturday he shared his background and she reciprocated. It quickly
became apparent that both had had fine careers but were now at a crossroads.
In his case this was because of the end of the cold war; for her, the cause
was what amounted to a glass ceiling.
She had been with the city library for twenty three years, having started
there when she was 18. But lacking a formal degree in library science she
was blocked from any further advancement. So she had become a perpetual
student in the evening, learning about all sorts of things but never for some
reason encouraging romantic relationships.Yet for some reason she felt close
to Ron and trusted him.
Ron's analytical mind began to generate a scenario, but he decided not to
tell her immediately. Instead he told her that, in his opinion, they both
needed to have some variety in their lives and asked if he might squire her
about and let them both experience what they had been missing.
This he did, at the same time joining the restaurant association and learning
the business from professionals from the inside out. He shared everything as
he learned it with Barbara, being careful not to talk just about business,
but rather soliciting her comments and suggestions.
In little more than a year both were knowledgeable restaurateurs and she was
a strapping 235 pounds. He took her out to the nicest restaurant he could
find and presented her with a ring. Two months later they were married and
Barb gave the library notice that she would be retiring.
Ron's and Barb's menu specials continued to be a hit --- so much so that
business was up over 80%. Jack began to be concerned that his Chef and Night
Manager might become the competition. He began to lean on Ron to go through
with his offer to actually buy part of the restaurant.
He discussed the idea with Barbara, who had funds of her own. It was she
that had the idea that was adopted --- they would both buy in, but not to
give cash to Jack. Rather the funds would go to underwrite purchase and
conversion of a second location. Which is why the manager of Rubio's #2
today is a very large and friendly lady --- who just happens to be the wife
of one of the owners (in fact, is rumored to be a part owner herself).
Incidentally, both restaurants have a reputation for such delicious food that
they are "off limits" to dieters --- especially on Thursday nights when
anyone ordering the "Chef's Special" gets free dessert. Its always crowded.