French Twist Memoir Excerpt - Meeting John

Big family gatherings with big meals can mean lots of dirty dishes. Maybe you were part of the dishwashing crew this Thanksgiving?

Janine Winters has always enjoyed cooking and good food and being around kitchens. When she had her French restaurant in Florida she knew what it was like to feed many people and all the dishes that needed washing each day.

Which brings to mind an interesting note about when Janine first met John Winters who would later become her husband and great love.

John and Janine Winters HugJohn and Janine Winters

Here’s an excerpt from the memoir, French Twist, that recalls that time:

Saturday nights were always busy at the restaurant. I worked behind the service bar, preparing beverages and taking care of credit-card payments.

I was in charge and knew it, but it was good to have a dependable staff I could trust.

Thank goodness for Dominique. One Saturday evening, she approached me. “Could you meet me at Bob and Beverly’s table?”

We all knew Beverly and Bob Borngesser, a very friendly couple and two of our best customers. They loved Dominique and wanted to introduce her to one of their single friends from Milwaukee, a Dr. John Winters. I guess Dominique was nervous and hoped I could assist in the situation.

He sat at the end of the table and got up when he saw me coming over. Standing, he smiled and introduced himself. “Hello, I’m John Winters from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.”

I returned the smile. “Nice meeting you. Welcome to Café de France. I’m Janine.”

He shook my hand. “Are you the chef tonight?”

“No, I’m not, but I prepare the wine, drinks, and desserts.”

He smiled again. “Where are you from? I like your accent.”

“It’s French.” Then I excused myself and returned to work behind the bar. The restaurant was full, and I didn’t have time to chat.

At the end of their dinner, I joined their table and had more time to talk. They had enjoyed their leg of lamb with baby vegetables. Of course, I was pleased.

The next day, John paid me a visit, and every day after that. He came in for lunch, sitting at the service bar where he could talk to me while he ate.

Soon, I knew a lot about this man. He was a radiologist in Milwaukee and had traveled there to spend time with his friends.

One day, when he came for lunch, I told him about the trouble we were having with the dishwasher. He asked for some tools and went to work. After a little while, he’d fixed the big stainless-steel machine.

I discovered he’d learned skills like that from his dad. His father was an electrical engineer and had often taken his son with him, teaching him the trade. A fascinating note was how John had helped his dad with the Empire State Building’s lights when he was only fourteen years old!

After his two-week vacation was up, he returned to Wisconsin, but he called me daily. We talked about everything. I enjoyed getting his phone call each morning. It was a wonderful way to wake up. Soon, he was calling me at night when I got home from a long day at work.

John told me about his divorce two years earlier. I shared with him about my life, including my mistakes and also my hopes and dreams. He was so easy to talk to. Most of all, he was gentle and kind. We gave each other great comfort.

I started thinking about him all the time. I was aware of myself and my emotions, but I stayed grounded. Good energy was direct and positive, and I believed when one meditated on love, one’s energy attracted it.

We became fast friends. There was no competition. Both of us were a bit uncertain where the relationship was going. What to do next? I didn’t want to lose this newfound friendship! He gave me such reassuring comments, and I enjoyed his company, whether he was near or far away in Milwaukee.

French Twist–A Tale of Travel, Testing and Triumph

This memoir is my true life story. 

It is an incredible story, or so I’ve been told. I am not really one to brag, but many people have told me I should write a book. And so I did, with the help of a ghostwriter. 

French Twist–A Tale of Travel, Testing and Triumph is on sale on Amazon. You can also order it on Bookshop.org or online with Barnes and Noble. You can even inquire at your local bookstore.

Also NOW AVAILABLE! The Audiobook version of French Twist - more info.

French Twists book