My name ought to be mounted somewhere on this table, except for the fact that nobody but me would care, of course.
I’m sitting in a booth where I must have sat a thousand times before. It’s in a Whataburger restaurant in the Birmingham suburb of Trussville. Until I moved to a different suburb three years ago, this was my home away from home for many years.
When this place opened, it was the only restaurant near my house that was open 24 hours a day and had WiFi. Since I worked from home at the time and often welcomed the chance to get out, this became my second office. I was here at all hours of the day and night. All the employees knew me by name.
I have no reason to be over here today. I almost never come to this part of town anymore. But today is the second time recently that I’ve felt drawn to drive over here for no apparent reason. But I think I know why I’m here.

Just give us fake, happy smiles; who wants to hear your feelings?
Competent, beautiful girl mirrors what I’d love to have in daughter
Concerns about digital future leave me mourning analog past
She’s miserable in life she chose, but she’s too proud to change now
City rushes to demolish $4.5 million transit station after only 13 years
There’s magic in the dark solitude and quiet stillness after midnight
Understanding often matters more than solving someone’s problems