Can you go back?

067, originally uploaded by jjvannorman.

I adore this place for it's food, efficient service and its simple warm interior.

I've never had a bad meal here, in fact it's always been consistently good. In my neighborhood you cannot survive very long in the restaurant business unless you are very good, this includes Mexican cuisine which can be found on nearly every corner.

...and that salsa is exquisitely delicious. It' has a hint of sweetness is later betrayed with a wonderful heat that sneaks up on you.

I have not been here in years.

it's fear.

Well maybe not fear, but of facing the consequences of "that one evening".

My dear friend Kathy and I used to frequent this place and not having seen her in a ages we easily agreed this would be a great place to have dinner. As I said, the food, the decor makes for very comfortable atmosphere, except for....

...the strolling man with the guitar.

He's older gentleman and a fine musician very capable who signs Mexican ballads. Once he's there, you cannot help but feel like you're sharing the center stage while he's singing at your table, but at the end of the tune he's off to the next table when you hand him a tip.

This particular evening in question he didn't make it to our table, rather he was with a couple at a table on along the wall.

Unfortunately I happened to make eye contact with The Guy at the table while the balladeer was signing. His expression exposed his every emotion of awkwardness that was all too familiar -- from then I was using every ounce of strength keep from laughing.

At the end of the first tune, the balladeer have dropped anchor and moved on to the next tune. More eye contact, and the guy has noticed me holding back my laughter, and we've created a feedback loop. Mr. balladeer has parked it at Mr. and Mrs. table. I don't know if he was unaware of the "hand him a few bucks" and he'll move on, or he thought it would happen on its own.

Kathy knows all too well, once my laughing gets going there's no way to hold it back and it's become contagious with her....and Mr.Balladeer in on to song number three, Mr. Guy is also trying not to laugh but he's also got Mr. Balladeer keeping him company so he's torn between awkwardness and laughing while I'm in tears trying to pay the check.

Clearly I know I've become noticeable to others in the restaurant as Senor Balladeer continues croooning The Guy also Uber red in his face and I'm almost running to the exit before I lose it.