Curious Cat

"All it does is read, read everything and repeat it, how is that even helpful?" The words still stung, it still hurt Jonathan that his parents didn't see value in what he did, what he'd made. He liked to think he helped people. He smiled to himself as finished up recording some more phrases, it would be an ongoing process, more recording, but it would make things sound more natural, less pieced together. His parents would never understand, but Jonathan wanted to change the world.

He stretched and pulled on his coat, it was late, and he didn't really feel like cooking. He thought for a moment before he headed out to his car. He found a neat little restaurant that he'd wanted to try, he slipped the recorded into his pocket, he never went anywhere without it anymore.

@ mariquinn;

@ A Drop On the Window

Mary made her way to her favorite restaurant that wasn’t far from her apartment with her guide dog. She walked in and they greeted her. The hostess lead her to usual table. She sits down and her dog laid down by her feet. She started to lose her vision as a toddler, losing all sight when she was 10. She was 21 years old; she lived on her own with aids. One aid she loved to use was audio narration that helped her read and helped her with her phone.

The waitress brought over her iced tea, knowing that Mary always wanted sweet tea. “Thank you” Mary said sweetly. She carefully took a sip of her tea. “Would you like your usual tortilla soup?” The waitress asked. Mary nodded. “Yes please” she responded.

Jonathan found a park and made his way to the restaurant, he had heard they we really accommodating to people with disabilities, which was one of the reasons he wanted to try the place. He smiled as he saw the hostess at the front. "Is there a table for one?" he asked quietly. "Also an odd request, can you bring me a copy of all your menus, lunch and dinner and drinks?" he asked. When she gave him a confused look, he offered a smile, "just want to know what's on offer at other times, just in case," he said calmly.

She nodded, and led him back to a table. He smiled seeing a woman sitting with a service dog at her feet. He took his seat and nodded to the hostess, and began to look over the menus. He slipped his recorder from his pocket, and began to read over the menus into the recorder.

@ mariquinn;

@ A Drop On the Window
Mary took another sip of her tea. She stopped when she recognized a voice behind her. It was a voice she heard so many times in her day to day life. Especially when it came to reading books to her. His voice was so nice and comforting. The waitress came with her soup, placing it in front of her. “Is there anything I can do for you? Are you alright?” She asked. Mary nodded and blushed a bit, feeling it on her face. “Yeah. Just I the gentleman who is speaking. I am kind of a fan of his” she admitted softly to the waitress because she was a friend. The blush becoming more apparent. “Oh? Really. I just need to go get his drink order. Be right back” She said with a grin. She walked over to his table. “Good evening. What can I get you to drink?” she asked sweetly.

Jonathan continued to carefully read through the menu, item by item. It seemed like such an odd thing to most people, but to him, it was just a way to expand the realm of his project. He looked up as the waitress came over, "Uh, could I get a beer, something light please," he said softly. The waitress smiled and nodded softly, noticing Jonathan didn't have a ring on his finger.

She walked off to put Jonathan's order in past Mary's table, "No ring," she whispered softly as she walked past.

@ mariquinn;

@ A Drop On the Window
Mary smiled when she heard there was no ring. She listened to his reading of the menus. Her being blind made her hearing excellent. His voice was so nice and soothing. She loved hearing it. She took another bite of her soup. She was unsure what to do. The waitress come back to Jonathan’s table. “Here is your beer. Is there anything else I can get you?” She asked sweetly.

Jonathan sat at his table and just quietly read off the menus, he looked up as his drink was delivered. He thought for a moment, "I'd like some food, but I'm not sure what to order," he said softly. "What is your suggestion?" he asked the waitress.

@ mariquinn;

@ A Drop On the Window
The waitress smiled. “Well all the food is pretty good. Our usual over there really likes the tortilla soup” she suggested, pointing towards” she said. Mary heard what the waitress said. The blush appeared back on her cheek.

Jonathan nodded softly, "well I shall give it a try," he said softly. He looked over at her, "how often does she come here?" he asked curious, knowing not many places were as disabled friendly as this restuarant.

@ mariquinn;

@ A Drop On the Window
“Coming right up. She is here pretty frequently. We are one of the few that allow her seeing dog inside” The waitress said sweetly. She then got in closer to say something quietly. “She will kill me for telling you this but she uses the app that has your voice. She likes your voice” she added before speaking up again. “I’ll get that order for you sir” she said before walking away to get his order to the kitchen. Mary heard the first part of the conversation so she quietly eat still blushing. She didn’t hear the second part of the convo.

Jonathan smiled softly at the waitress, "Well that is high praise then," he said. He watched her head off towards the kitchen and went back to reading and recording. He waited until the waitress came back with his food, "Tell me what is her name?" he asked quietly. He found her cute to be honest, and wondered if she had many friends.

@ mariquinn;

@ A Drop On the Window
Mary continue to eat her food. Her blush went away for the most part when she heard him reading again. She was almost done with her soup. The waitress placed his food on the table. “Her name is Mary. She really is sweet” she said quietly. “Let me know if you need anything else” she said before walking away, getting Mary a refill on her tea.

Jonathan began to slowly try the food, he was pleased by the suggestion. He continued to eat slowly, before waving the waitress over, "please tell Mary, I'd very much like her phone number, so she can recommend some other places for me to try," he said softly. "That is if she wants too," he added.

@ mariquinn;
(Switched to my phone for a bit,)

@ A Drop On the Window
[alright :)]

Mary finished her food and debated on desert. The waitress walked over to Jonathan. “Of course. I’ll ask” she said sweetly. She then made her way to Marys table asking her. Mary was a little surprised but was fine with it. She said her phone number out loud and the waitress wrote it down. She then brought over the piece of paper to Jonathon. “She is completely fine with it” she said. “She also mentioned she likes to bake” she added.

Jonathan relaxed and grinned as the waitress came back with her number. He smiled and got up, having finished his meal, he walked past Mary's table. "I guess we all need hobbies, Jonathan," he said carefully and took her hand shaking it gently.

@ mariquinn;
(On a lovely night time walk, trying to get fit for summer)

[that sounds really nice. Wish I could go on walks but with this ankle I can’t. I do so much walking at work. I gained weight while on leave :/]

Mary was a little surprised when she felt someone grab her hand. She smiled softly when she heard the voice. “Yes hobbies are important. It’s nice to meet you” she said sweetly, shaking his hand.

@ A Drop On the Window
[oops forgot the reply button.]

Jonathan smiled softly as she shook his hand back, "Mine is talking to myself," he joked, he leaned in close, "I get so many confused dirty looks, for it too," he commented. He paused for a moment, "I should probably leave you too it Mary, have a nice day," he said softly.

@ mariquinn;
[It was a nice walk, wish I got out more to be honest. You'll be back walking again in no time :) }

@ A Drop On the Window
[same here and I hope so :)]

Mary laughed softly. “Well I appreciate your work you really make my life easier.” She said sincerely. “Thank you. I hope you have as good day too” she added with a soft smile. She let go of his hand. “I look forward to hearing from you”.