The ballad of Cesar: the saga continues

If you’re a long-time reader of “Unfinished Business,” you know about Cesar. (If you’re not, the short story is this: Cesar works at my favorite burrito joint in Nashville, Baja Burrito. He was the manager, gave me his phone number on several occasions, occasionally gave me free food and discounts, and liked to stare at me longingly and smile.)

Anyway, to make a long story short, I haven’t been going to Baja as much lately due to my work load, my Baja lunch partner’s work load, and various other issues. And when I have gone, it just hasn’t been as good. And Cesar hasn’t been there. Which is weird.

So then came yesterday. Mindy and I decided to head on over to our other favorite burrito joint, Moe’s Southwestern Grill. I love me some Moe’s. So we’re in line, chit-chatting, laughing at the youngsters who described the TV show “Mork and Mindy” from our childhood much as we would “I Love Lucy.” So, back to the story. We’re almost to the point in line when you order, when Mindy softly and repeatedly taps my arm. “The queso,” she says slowly. “The queso guy. Look!” she mumbles as her surprised stare turns toward my face.

I look. It’s Cesar.

At this point, I seriously duck below the sneeze guard and menu in an attempt to hide, all while praying that the earth would open up and swallow me. Now it seems I’m stalking Cesar! Mindy continues to laugh.

Finally, we make through the line, see Cesar and talk politely. He seemed geniunely surprised to see us and so happy to see, as he put it, “familiar faces.” It seems there’s a new owner at Baja who’s making changes. Cesar said, “I was one of those changes.”

Later, he stopped by our table and talked so more. He kept saying how surprised he was to see us. He seemed extremely lonely. So now I feel sorry for him. And I’m a little floored by the fact that he keeps showing up at my favorite burrito restaurants!