When I was a kid more than fifty years ago, my hometown of 50 thousand people had one Chinese restaurant. That was the sum total of ethnic restaurants. Now there are numerous Chinese, Mexican, Italian restaurants (if you can also call fast food places restaurants), and even an Indian and English restaurant. When the first pizza joint opened up (I can still remember the jingle from the tv ads), me and my five siblings each got one small slice. Now that I’ve told you the sorry and tear-inducing details of my childhood (excuse me, I have to reach for a handkerchief to wipe the tears away), feel free to tell me yours.
So glad I read through this thread and got to yours!
I was just telling myself that I must NOT read such sour news at this hour, it’s gut wrenching.
And then I came upon this thread, being from Chicago and all, and your short story just cracked me up! Well done.
My sad story is much like yours, our treat was White Castle, it was all my parents could afford with 6 kids, just one tiny square hamburger each. Now where’s my hankie?!