Tonight a couple was in for dinner. They had requested the chef’s table when they made the reservation.

I made it for them on Sunday.

They had sat on the patio for dinner.

At the end of the meal they’d requested a copy of the new cookbook. We have a million of them, but they wanted a signed one.

We’d just run out of autographed ones.

I offered to get it signed then they could pick it up later in the week.

That turned into they should just come back for dinner.

And that happened tonight.

And back they were.

They got their dinner.

They got their cookbook.

I went back at the end to say good night.

And then I remembered that they were moving to Florida. Which is why getting the book now was important.

I chatted with them for a while.

They’d moved here a couple of years ago. They have no real friends or family here. There is no reason to come back.

They were moving to Florida for work. I mentioned that we might open a location there in a few years. That led to excitement.

I chatted with them for awhile.

I finally had to get back to work. I gave them my card. Told them to keep in touch and I said good-bye.

And I was taken back to 2nd grade when my scoutmaster, Mr. Flagg moved away with his family at the end of the school year. The realization that I was never going to see these nice people again.

And it made me sad.

I didn’t know them well, but I’ve talked to them every few weeks since I started.

I don’t like goodbyes.