I first met Janet at work. She was a tall woman, about five foot-six-inches. She was transferred to my restaurant to help me. I had the busiest restaurant in my area. She was one of four assistant managers. Janet was funny and had a very good sense of humor which is what I needed at the time what with the ordering and payroll and the scheduling. Not to mention the meetings I had to attend. Well, needless to say, I was very happy to have her.
About three weeks after she arrived, we were on the same shift and I had to run to another restaurant to get some food until my supply truck came. I realized that it wouldn't all fit in my car. Then Janet spoke up and said she would be glad to take me. She had a truck and thank God for that because I really needed a lot of stuff.
It was around 10:00 that morning. I had waited for my other manager to come in so I could go. He got to the restaurant and I told him I was going to pick up more supplies.
He said, "No problem," so Janet and I left.
Me being only four-foot-eleven-inches tall, I had trouble getting into her truck. I was embarrassed, to say the least when she came around the truck to help me in. Once inside, we both started to laugh about my "altitude impairment". She thought it was so cute that she had to boost me up into her truck. We talked for a while on the way down to the unit.
When she turned and said, "I don't know if anyone told you, but I am gay."
I didn't say anything at first. I just sat there, waiting for her to say more.
When she didn't, I turned and said, "So what's it to me? It doesn't matter."
I think I asked her if she had a girlfriend. I don't know why I even asked her that. To this day, I still wonder.
We talked until we got there. She loaded the truck and wouldn't let me do anything. Instead, I spent the time talking to the other manager, telling him that the items would be returned by tomorrow.
"No problem," he replied.
Janet came and said everything was loaded. So we got back in the truck, again with her help, and again she laughed.
The drive back took about an hour, so she asked me about my marriage and if I was happy. I thought that was a pretty odd question, but I answered her truthfully with a no. She had a silly grin on her face. I really didn't think anything thing of it.
Back at the restaurant, she unloaded the truck. Things inside were starting to get busy. It was lunchtime, and Janet was the kitchen manager for the day. My other manager, John, was the cashier manager, and I was overseeing the whole operation - dealing with customers, and making sure everyone was pleased.
When lunch was over, my truck delivery was waiting to be unloaded. The two drivers had patiently waited until we could get to them. So I got John and Janet to help, and by this time, the next manager was in for work. She took over the floor, while the three of us checked in the truck.
Once I was sure we got everything, I signed off on the slip so the drivers could leave.
Janet walked up to me and handed me a piece of paper.
"Miss Dee, I have to leave now," she said. I didn't look at the paper right then because I was counting money and trying to get the day deposit done and to the bank.
When I finished, I took the paper out of my pocket. There on it was her phone number and a short note:
"Call me tonight, I want to talk to you about your unhappiness."
I was annoyed, but also intrigued.
After the kids were in bed, I decided to call her to see just what she wanted. I dialed the number, and an older woman answered.
"May I speak to Janet please?" I said.
"Yes, hold on," the woman said.
I waited for a few minutes and then Janet came on the phone. "Hi," she said.
"Hi Janet," I said.
"Oh, hi Dolores! How are you?" Janet said.
"I'm fine thanks, I just wanted to call and find out what you wanted from the note you handed to me," I replied.
"Well," she said, "I was wondering if you would please go to a party with me on Saturday?"
"On Saturday? Well, I am not sure if I can find a babysitter, but I will try," I said.
"Okay," she replied. Now I was really getting very interested in what was on her mind.
She said that if I could find one, she'd pick me up at 8:00 p.m. So I agreed and hung up.
Saturday came, and with the babysitter comfortable, Janet showed up right on time. I got in the truck again with her help, but this time her hands were on my ass.
I didn't say anything but a casual thank you.
She got into the driver seat and looked at me, and said, "Boy you look different outside of work!"