Sloppy Fries for
Sloppy Lives By Kathy Luder
was in the lunch line with Molly.They were serving sloppy joes over fries, which was considered a “good”meal. It is the most palatable dish offered at our school. It was a crass tactical ploy on behalf of the cafeteria staff. Right after lunch I was headed into negotiations with Mrs. Zaftig on behalf of the student council. Mrs. Zaftig is the head lunch lady, as well as my Sunday School teacher.The student council was hoping I could get her stick to more teen-friendly fare.
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Molly was shifting from foot to foot and standing on her tip-toes, scanning the tables. “Who are you looking for?” I asked. “Susan. She called last night. She’s bringing Jared for a visit. Are there corn dogs today?” she said. Our friend Susan got pregnant last summer right after her sophomore year. Her boyfriend, Mark, the star of the basketball team, is the father. Jared was born a few months ago. “Corn dogs are bad for you,” I said.“Wasn’t Susan here last week?” “This is where her friends are, Kathy. Where else would she be? I don’t know why you think she should be punished,” she said. “I don’t think she should be punished,” I said.“Who puts sloppy joes over fries anyway? This is the best they can do?” “Maybe they’re out of buns.This cafeteria is to culinary arts what Nazi death camps were to medicine.You should really let Mrs. Z have it.This is just wrong,” Molly said. She turned to me.“Why is it that whenever Susan is here you get all moody?” “She’s here every week. It’s hardly a big event,” I said, attempting to keep the crankiness out of my voice. I tried to lighten things up.“Those sloppy fries don’t look too bad.” I maneuvered toward the serving window.
“Or a burrito? At least with frozen burritos you know what you’re getting.” Molly looked at me.“Why shouldn’t Susan be here every week? Mark is still here. He’s still on the basketball team. He gets to walk at graduation. How come it is so different for him?” “I don’t know. Maybe it shouldn’t be,” I said. “Yeah? Well, maybe they should just let them both be here. Why would that be so hard? Show a little forgiveness. They could put up a daycare. Or just let her bring Jared to class. He’s so good that it wouldn’t be that big of a deal,” she said as she placed two waxy burritos on her tray. “You’re right. It’s not fair,” I said, gesturing to the lunch lady to give me the sloppy fries.“Jared is the cutest baby I’ve ever seen,” I admitted. “Mrs. Zaftig is waiting,” the lunch lady said to me. I could see her sitting at her desk in her office in the back of the kitchen. I figured I might as well get it over with. “Tell Susan I said ‘hi,’ and give Jared a kiss for me,” I said to Molly as I took my tray through the kitchen to Mrs. Zaftig’s desk. “Hi, Kathy,” said Mrs. Zaftig with a huge smile.“What’s on
