We all get out of a hot car once again, and walk inside of a cool air-conditioned restaurant.
The 3 of us (Vincent, Sheryl, and I) approach a man standing in front of a podium with menus.

Man: "Hello, I'm Kris. welcome do Texas Roadhouse. How many are in your party?"

Sheryl: "Three."

Kris: "Ok, follow me please."

Vincent: "After you sweetie." (Sheryl)

Sheryl follows Kris, I follow Sheryl, and Vincent follows me.

We walk through rows of tables, and stop at a booth.

Kris: "Here we are."

Sheryl: "Melia, do you want to sit next to your dad?"

Me: "Of course."

Kris: "Here are your menus. The special of the day is our juicy house stake, served with mashed potatoes, and green beans. Can I start you folks off with something to drink, or do you need a couple more minutes?"

Vincent: "No, I think we're ready. Are you two ready?"

Me: "Yes."

Sheryl: "I'm ready."

Vincent: "I guess I'll start then. I'd like to have some root beer please."

Kris: "Sure, and for you, ma'm?"

Sheryl: "I'd like to have some water with lemon, please."

Kris: "Appsalotly. And for you sweetie?"

Me: "I'd like to have some root beer as well, please."

Kris: "All right, I'll be right back with your beverages."

Exit Kris.

Vincent: "Whatcha getting, rocker?"

Me: "Baby-back ribs."

Vincent: "Ooh, yum!"

Me: "What are you getting dad?"

Vincent: "Steak."

Sheryl: "That sound delicious."

Vincent: "What are you gonna get, sweetie?"

Sheryl: "I think the BBQ roasted chicken."

Enter Chris
Chris: "Are we ready to order?"
She places the drinks on the table.

Me: "Yes."

Chris: "Okay. Would you like to start?"

Me: "Sure! I'll have a half a slab of baby-back ribs please."

Chris: "And for a side?"

Me: "Mac and cheese, please."

Chris: "All right, and for you sir?"

Vincent: "I'll have the slow roasted steak, with a side of mashed potatoes."

Chris: "Of course. And for you ma'm?"

Sheryl: "I'll have the BBQ roasted chicken, with a side of onion rings, please."

Chris: "Is that everything then?"

Vincent: "Yes."

Chris takes out menus, and tells us she'll be right out with our food shortly.

In the mean time, we all talk.
Vincent told me he's been getting hold in ones while out golfing, Sheryl told me that she went out shopping, and what she got, and I told my mom and dad how much I've been practicing, and about how my rides go when I'm over at Charlie's horse ranch. I told Sheryl and Vincent that Ronnie and Charlie keep finding me asleep in Junior's stall with him.

I also told Vincent what me and my uncle Keith have been practicing, and how I keep breaking guitar strings.

Vincent: "How are you breaking the strings?"

I'm quiet. I'm too afraid to say anything to my Vincent-my dad. I'm not even sure I'd tell Keith.

I miss Uncle Keith!

Vincent: "Melia-Ripper, I'm not gonna yell at you. Musicians break strings all the time. Did Keith tell you how often he breaks his guitar strings?"

Me: "He, he says he's a 'big string breaker.'"

Vincent: "See, your not the only one. It's ok Melia, I have extra strings back at the house."

I nod.

Shyrel: "How man strings did you break, sweetheart?"

Me: "Six."

Vincent: "On which guitars?"

Me: "One on my Stratocaster, twice on the Epiphone Hummingbird, and three times on my Gem."

Vincent: "None on the Telecaster, Gibson Firebird, or Gibson J-200?"

Me: "J-200?"

Vincent: "Yeah, the big one Keith had Pierre bring over from his guitar locker."

Me:"No...... At least not yet."

Vincent: "Are you ever gonna give the J-200 back to Keith?"

Me: "If and when he asks for it."

Vincent: "What if he needs it?"

Me: "Doesn't he gave back-ups? He has like 6 Telecasters. Besides, Ron has a Gibson J-200 too."

Vincent: "You still should return it to Keith. Maybe he'll get you one of your own, or maybe I could."

Me: "You don't have to spoil me dad."

Shyrel: "I thought you wanted one though?"

Vincent: "She does!"

Me: "I do."

Shyrel: "So. Is it just from tuning?"

Me: "Yes."

Vincent: "I'll help you fix them later, or tomorrow."

Me: "That's great dad, thanks. But I don't have any more D strings. I broke all the acoustic ones I had."

Vincent: "So, you only have the Super Slinky electric ones?"

Me: "Yes."

Vincent: "I'll look around, and see if I have any, if not I'll see if Keith can spare a few, okay?"

I nod.

Shyrel: "Its ok sweetheart."

Vincent: "Yeah, accidents happen all the time. Musicians break strings all the time, just ask Keith and Ronnie. Besides, they're not that strong either, Ripper Keith Cooper Richards, Furrier."

Me: "You used my full last name again."

Vincent: "I like it."

The food comes out, and we start too eat. It was delicious!
After we were done eating, we headed home to have my dad's cake, that's why we didn't get desert, and so Alice could open his presents.

Vincent had a marvelous birthday, and I enjoyed spending it with my new family.🏴