Saturday, we (Dan, Mark, Mark and Adam) all met at out favorite haunt, La Provence, in Concord. We’ve occupied tables there for hours at time, mostly in the back room which is offset from the main dining area. The last time we met for lunch, the back room was closed, and because it was so busy, we were eventually evicted by the owner, Robert Didier. Politely, to be sure, but nevertheless, told to take our garrulous butts and go elsewhere.

Though it wasn’t as busy this day, Robert was again stalking our table. Or so it seemed to me. He’d look out the plate glass window, then back at our table. Finally he walked over and asked, “Does anyone own a Jaguar?”

Adam and I simultaneously replied. “I wish.” But the couple sitting at the table behind us, closer to the window, offered, “We do.”

“I have some bad news, “ Robert said as the male half of the couple got up from his table. Robert put his arm on the concerned customer’s shoulder and walked him to the window. “You have a flat.”

Clearly relieved that someone hadn’t sideswiped or backed into his car, the Jaguar owner sat back down at his table and said to his wife, “It could have been worse.”

Adam, who rarely includes himself in strangers’ conversations, turned to the couple and said, “Yeah, it could have been a Corolla.”