Joey Webster's Date

In early October, I invited my friend Joe to come out to eat to Chili’s with me. Joe used to be a student at Kennesaw State who was enrolled in the special needs program here. He took two classes per semester and graduated from his program in two years. I met Joe through my church because he is very outgoing and loves meeting new people wherever he goes. I picked him up around 6 o’clock from his house in Canton and we drove to the closest Chili’s. For 22 year old Joe, this Chili’s was very accessible for him now because earlier this year, he passed his driver’s test, and could drive to Chili’s any time he wanted. We walked in and were seated right away because the restaurant was not very crowded. A nice hostess who did not realize that Joe had a mental disability seated us, and at the time we arrived, the activity within the restaurant was somewhat calm. However some servers on the opposite side of the restaurant seemed to be more rushed than our server. We realized the reason the servers on the other side of the restaurant seemed busier than our own was because the restaurant had adapted to the need of a larger group, and the server in that section was dealing with more guests, even though she only has one party. They rearranged several tables to fit a group of about 15 guests, so even though our server had three tables, the other server had more guests. The way Chili’s had assigned servers to sections was very controlled and very efficient in accommodating the guests. It was very comfortable for both of us because we were sitting in a booth, which we both agree is the most pleasant to sit on for an extended period of time. The booth we sat in was a high-back booth, so we had a great conversation in the privacy and exclusivity of our own space. The menu provided us with great visual sensory stimulations with the detailed pictures of different items served. The aromas of freshly cooked seafood, baked potatoes, and hot desserts were also very stimulating scents. The music was peaceful and calming, and the food was delicious! At the end of the meal Joe asked me to use his money to pay for his own meal because he has a hard time counting money. We left on full, satisfied stomachs and went bowling at Brunswick Zone where Joe, with the bumpers up, absolutely dominated my score. He claimed to have never bowled before, but I jokingly hassled him with the idea that he must have been in a professional bowling league at some point. He responded back with, "Yea, I beat my dad every time he and I go bowling." Oh Joe. I dropped him back off at home around ten o’clock, and then drove home with a smile on my face, pleased to have been able to connect with a friend I hadn’t seen in a while.