Restaurant Roulette: The Great Escape

Part 1 Looking back, I’ve realized a “funny” family tradition from my childhood

was actually kind of messed up. My family had this thing we called restaurant roulette,

and as a kid, I thought it was the most thrilling way to eat out. We’d dress up like

we were going somewhere fancy, drive to a nice restaurant, sit down,

order drinks or appetizers—and then, right on cue, my dad’s phone would ring.

He’d answer it with over-the-top panic, suddenly announcing there was a work emergency and we

had to leave immediately. My sister Emma and I thought it was comedy gold. Dad would spring

into action, mom would sigh dramatically about his stressful job, and we’d rush out