Breakfast at Aj's It Has Become a Essay

Breakfast at AJ's

It has become a weekly tradition, a chance to gather our family right before church. AJ's is one of those places we assume will be around forever.

We pile in through the door and we're first hit by the smell of strong coffee. AJ's is bustling with cash register noises, orders screamed to the kitchen, and the clattering of knives and forks.

It is still early, and we are lucky to find a booth. My family scoots into position. Michael, my fiance, sits next to me. The girls, Dawn and Carolyn, sit across from us. Carolyn is seven, and is predictably complaining that there is not enough room for her doll "Jillian." She thinks the doll is real, so out of respect I ask what she is ordering for breakfast.

The waitress walks past us and is skillfully balancing three plates down her left arm to her hand. Managing a coffee pot and two more plates, they all pass by us at nose-level.At least two of us let an "oooooh" escape, as we compare visual samples with the menu.

Carolyn orders hot chocolate for Jillian, and fruit pancakes for herself. They give her a side of fresh raspberries and I can't resist sampling a bite. I don't know where they found these, but the berries are tart, sweet, and perfect. Tangy and juicy, these berries are delectable with the light pancakes and warm, sticky syrup. Her side of bacon is a wonderful balance of sweet, smoky meat, half-crunchy and half-tender.

Dawn has very thoughtfully ordered eggs benedict. They arrive without an inch of white space left on her plate. I tell her "you know you have to share all of that, right?" She looks sad and pouts a little, until I tell her I am kidding. The waitress asks if she wants ketchup for her….....