Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – June 15, 2004
A Big Mac
Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – June 15, 2004 – This was one of those days – calories and jiggly thighs, be damned – I needed a Big Mac. I was out the door at eight-thirty this morning, and with the exception of a hectic telephone filled hour at home in the afternoon, I was gone all day.
I gulped down a coffee during my morning home inspection and had a spoonful of tuna salad and a baby carrot just before I headed out the door at five o’clock. Time didn’t permit the preparation of my usual gourmet fare.
By the time my day finished at 10:30 P.M. I was famished. As I drove along the Lakeshore toward home, my thoughts turned to a Big Harv and fries. Okay they didn’t really turn that way – they jumped. I immediately thought about driving out of my way to Harvey’s – parking the car and waiting for the grilling of said Big Harv. Upon further thought, that just wasn’t going to happen. What did I have at home?
Blueberry yogurt, peanuts and Soy milk. Let’s see – could I make an omelette? As I drove up Carlaw Avenue I was thinking that a peanut butter sandwich would have to do, but then I remembered that I was out of bread. I recall a similar night a few years ago when I actually stood bolt upright in front of the kitchen sink, with a teaspoon in one hand and a jar of crunchie P.B. in the other, and scooped out big gobs of peanut butter for dinner. At least I was getting some protein. Fortunately last night wasn’t one of those occasions.
Seeing as a burger appeared to be uppermost in my mind, I headed up Pape Avenue and pulled into the McDonald’s Drive Through. A pleasant voice said, “May I take order?” “Damn straight”, I thought, “I’ll have a Big Mac and a large fries – skip the calorie laden soft drink. I have ice water with lime at home”. I pulled around the corner – coughed up the $5.25 and plumped my dinner down on the passenger seat, then headed for home. I admit I snuck a few fries to nibble on as I drove.
By the time I got home, it was half past eleven. I poured myself a big glass of water and sat in front of the television while I consumed my late night dinner. Augie and Ziggy hung around, hoping for a hand out, but they got nothing. Fast food is bad for pets. As I munched, I wondered how many calories are in a Big Mac and fries, then I realized that I didn’t care. There could be 4000 but it didn’t matter.
I know it’s a not good thing to eat a meal and then fall into bed, and I didn’t care about that either. Rules exist to be stretched, if not broken, and last night’s Big Mac was the most satisfying burger I’ve had in eons. I probably won’t have another one for six months or longer, but when I do I plan to enjoy it just as much. A hex on guilt, let’s face it, sometimes fast food is the answer – pure and simple – and on those days it doesn’t get much better than the “Drive Through” at McDonald’s.
P.S. – As I read this 10 years later – the thought of eating meat is repugnant to me. How things change when we awaken to the wrong that is involved by denying life to other beautiful creatures. I wouldn’t even buy a coffee at McDonald’s now.
