Shopping for Forgiveness

At times I am so out of whack with American culture that I feel like I don't belong anywhere - but, jumping out of bed at 5:30 on a Saturday morning to trek to Toys R Us has forever confirmed my roots!
As I drove in the rainy darkness, with a hot coffee in my gloved hands, I thought:
"I am *such* and American!!"
I'm sure I looked silly giggling at myself and dancing to mid-80's praise music. :~D
I was a bit overzealous to get to the almost-out-of-stock electronic gadget (that has been on my baby boy's wish list for *years*) and I ended up with about a half hour to kill before the portal to Toy Heaven was opened.
So, I did something kind of weird...

There's a Ma and Pa restaurant called Davidson's on the main drag of the Toys R Us town. Right after high school I'd gotten a job bussing table's there. It was a great place, and the family that owned it - the Davidson's, duh! - we're super sweet.
Unfortunately, I was stupid...and young...and confused about life in general at the time.
One day, I went to work drunk. Not just tipsy, but plastered. (I actually had to have my friend drive his truck slowly up to the front door so that I had something to hold onto in the parking lot.)
I might have actually pulled it off...I can't quite remember. ~blush~
But I was so ashamed, I never went back. They called me a few weeks later and left a very kind message saying that I could come pick up my check. I never did, so they mailed it to me. That was 14 years ago...

Now, I've done a boatload of stupid things in my time, and this one doesn't even really deserve mention in the top 20, but it has always bugged me.
I'm a firm believer in hard work and integrity. Keeping your word and not wussing out on your responsibilities. Looking someone in the eye and apologizing for wrongs done...
So, at 6:30 last Saturday morning, I went into Davidson's to ask for forgiveness.
The lady behind the counter was filling mini-cups of butter when I approached her. I asked if she was part of the Davidson's family, and she said that they'd sold the restaurant years ago.
I took a deep breath, made her swear not to laugh at me, and told her why I was there.
She laughed (I knew she would!) and told me not to worry - I wasn't the first busser to ever come in there drunk. I told her how sweet the family had been to me, and that I'd always felt horrible for not working my hardest for them, so I'd come in here to say I'm Sorry.
She said she'd let Mr. Davidson know, since he comes in every morning to meet with his buddies for breakfast. (Turns out, part of the contract for selling the restaurant was that Mr. Davidson would always get free coffee. Isn't that about the cutest thing ever?!?)
Before leaving I grinned and said, "So, I want you to say it!"
She looked me square in the eye and said, "Honey, you're forgiven."
And she gave me a hug.