The Christmas Eve Stranger
It was as busy as could be expected that Christmas Eve. The oversized mall was bustling with the kind of crowd that can either be infuriating or invigorating, depending on what kind of person you are. Some folks were frantic, down to the wire and still clueless what to buy, while others enjoyed leisurely window shopping and making a last-minute purchase or two. It was the mid 90s, and I was with my mom and grandparents at a restaurant inside the South Coast Plaza mall called The Magic Pan. I must set the stage for your first, as the backdrop of the story is what heavily contributed to the wonder of the evening. The restaurant was mildly upscale; waiters wore white button-up shirts and long black aprons as they moved attentively through the starch tablecloths and well-dressed patrons. I remember dark wood paneling and molding, evergreen colored carpet and dainty wall lamps. Three steps led up to an alcove room, where we were seated at a corner table. It was dimly lit and pe...