The "Faces Of Strangers: #50" Story

Yvonne

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in an outdoor restaurant known as "O' Grille" on the Melia Nassau Beach Resort in the Bahamas.  It is one of the half dozen or so restaurants that are part of the all-inclusive resort.  The menu is fairly limited with perhaps a dozen choices of lunch selections, but the sound of the sea while sipping a fresh Caribbean cocktail makes up for the lack of choices.  Our beachside table is occupied with Carol and me as well as our traveling friends Jere and Just Sue.  All of a sudden this ball of fire steps to the side of our table with pen and tablet in hand and begins what turned out to be the start of a friendship that carried throughout the length of our two-week stay at the resort.  Yvonne couldn't have been more than a hundred pounds with a smile that illuminated our table.  We all introduced ourselves to her and she did likewise.  Found out that she was in her mid-50s with two sons, one whom she resides with on the island and who brings her to work every day.  She told us about a few of the menu items and we all ordered.  Drinks arrived as did more conversation.  Found out that her mother is the same age as Carol and just so happens that her mother's birthday is 2 days before Carol's which is a few days after we leave to head home.  Then she and I begin a conversation with it ending with her saying, "I think I'm going to adopt you!"  This petite woman was one time 100 pounds heavier, but lost the weight to overcome her Type 2 Diabetes.  When she wasn't waiting on other patrons, she was next to our table trying to find out everything she could about us.  She truly is one of the best employees at the resort, at least in the eyes of the four of us.  You could tell she enjoys what she does and loves to talk about her island home and those who mean so much to her.  Meal after meal we requested Yvonne and she responded with big hugs, wide smiles and perfect service as well as entertaining conversation.  It is people such as Yvonne that make vacations to the Caribbean so special for the four of us.  Carol and I, as well as Jere and Just Sue rewarded her at the end of vacation for her superior service as well as her wonderful personality.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.