"No one gives a damn about the things I give a damn about. The liberties that we can't do without seem to disappear..." ~ J. Isbell
The couple at the counter placed their order then took a seat to wait. They were one of those couples who favor each other. Probably wear matching outfits on occasion.
There was only one guy in front of me now. I had been a little concerned because originally, it had said my pizza would be ready in 15 to 25 minutes. However, the exclusive pizza tracker hadn't even made it to "bake." It was still stuck on "prep." At this point, "quality check" was a distant dream.
I would soon find out why as one of the two employees began bringing boxes of pizza and stacking them on the counter. The guy in front of me had ordered 30 pizzas.
What, are you planning to lead legions of kids away from town with mounds of delicious pepperoni and cheese while donning your colorful jerkin?
Finally, Adam -- a name I made up for the male employee -- came over to ask if I had an order. I was informed it was just now going in the oven. Then Jewel, which was the name I assigned to the female employee, apologized and informed the room that she had already made over fifty pizzas since arriving at 10:30.
Yeah, that's right, rat catcher, we're all looking at you!
I watched as they worked in tandem, perpetually. Jewel would make the pizzas and put them in the oven. Adam would box and cut them and handle the counter. He was also having to make any deliveries they might have.
As the pepperoni pied piper was finally exiting with the last of his pizzas, another man walked in. When Jewel cheerfully informed him there would be a 25 to 30 minute wait, he turned and exited.
I pondered what had brought on this situation. Had someone called out? Or were they simply short-staffed like seemingly every other business 'neath the sun?
It struck me as remarkable how these two were holding things together, neither of them uttering a single complaint.
Whatever they were making, it surely was not nearly what they deserved. I told them as much. I wondered if they made a living wage, or if they had a second job, or even a third.
I thought about how I, and so much of our society, just relies on these people to be there. Whenever we want or need or crave. A pizza, a burger, a taco.
We take it for granted. Or I do, anyway.
But I also thought how this particular pizza place on this particular day seemed to be hanging by a thread. And how many other restaurants, stores and businesses of all kinds, must be facing similar situations.
Lately it feels like society, democracy, the world as a whole is hanging by a thread. So much of what I have taken for granted for most of my life seems to be in danger of unraveling or being hijacked, if not completely destroyed. And the majority of those we elected to represent we the people seem to be okay with it.
I think of those who are scared for their jobs, scared for their families, scared for their very lives. And my heart aches constantly.
Uncertainty is everywhere. Good things like humanity, compassion, and kindness; they don't seem to be trading all that high right now.
But I'm not gonna sell. Just going to continue to try to teach the kids about those good things. Maybe they'll eventually make a comeback.
After all, there's no tariff on kindness.
Not yet anyway.
