The "Rendezvous with A Good Friend" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting under the sea grape trees, looking at the menu at La Table d'Antoine Restaurant in Orient Village which is located on the French side of Sint Maarten/St. Martin.  

Carol and me with our meals.

Orient Village has about a half dozen or more fabulous restaurants that rival the restaurants in Grand Case, the nearby town that is known as the culinary capital of the Caribbean.  As Carol and I were looking at the lengthy house menu and the "specials" menu board,  I looked up and noticed someone standing closeby whom I recognized.  She smiled and at once I knew who it was.  "Carol, there's Magali," I said to my wife.  She walked over to our table and we greeted each other with a slight kiss and we asked her to join us for a while so we could talk.  Magali had been our realtor for the last dozen years or so and had been extremely helpful in making our selection of condo or villa rentals for our annual vacation to our favorite vacation spot.  

Our waiter and Magali's son, Antoine.

About two months ago we found that Magali had taken a leave of absence due to a medical problem, but were told nothing as to what the problem may be.  When we arrived we worked with another agent and were told that Magali may return soon.  Well, Magali looked great sitting at our table with us.  She told us our waiter, Antoine, was her son.  We talked about her family and how she is doing physically.  She shared with us what she has gone through and what her plans may be in the future.  We were so glad to get to see her during our visit.  Seems that Carol and I were in the right place at the right time to get a chance to see Magali once again and share some moments together.  She finally said she had to meet a friend and left with another hug.  As for our meal, it was equally fabulous.  We had not eaten at this restaurant since it changed names a few years ago, but we were not disappointed.  Carol had the John Dory fish and I had the Ravioli with sea scallops and crawfish.  Both were outstanding and Antoine was as wonderful as his mother.  We finished our meal with a few shots of homemade red fruit rum made by the bartender.  Outstanding evening with an old friend and a new one.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.