"Just"ice

So there I was, walking into a pretty decent restaurant for 1) lunch and 2) to do some writing before my next appointment.

I enjoy going places on my own, especially when I want to - or have to - write away from home.

I carried my laptop briefcase up to the host, followed by several people behind me, most of whom were in bunches of three or four.

"Hi," I smiled.

"How many?" he asked.

I looked around and replied, "me."

"Just one, then?" he responded, tilting his head in a near sypathetic "awwww" pose.

My smile disappeared.

"No, not just one," I corrected him. "One."

His eyebrows raised as the customers behind me nodded and grinned.

"One. Solo. Single. Unaccompanied. On my own. Proudly. Nothing 'just' about it."

Getting in the amusing spirit of my low-ku, the host laughed and said, "Right this way. Right away. One!"

Now that's more like it.