Palisades-News-June-3-2015-

June 3, 2015 Palisades News Page 29VIEWPOINTA Long Relationship Loses Its MagicBy BOB VICKREYSpecial to the Palisades NewsIt’s official. As of last week, In-N-OutBurger and I have called it quits. Aftermore than 35 years, we have decided togo our separate ways.The split did not happen overnight. Wehave been seeing less and less of one anotherin recent years and have connected only acouple of times in recent months. I cannotfully explain how we ultimately lost themagic in our long meaningful relationship.But how do you go about breaking upwith a veritable Southern California institution?Adults spend endless hours talkingabout their last meal at In-N-Out. It’s sucha popular place that kids want its burgersto be served at their birthday parties. I canalready tell that this is going to be a difficultseparation. How do I explain to my friendsthat we’re through?I’ll never forget the first time I laid eyeson the beauty that was—and is—an In-N-Out “Double-Double”—double meat,double cheese, accompanied by a fresh sliceof garden tomato and crispy lettuce—allneatly wrapped in carefully folded waxpaper, alongside those crispy, dry and saltyFrench fries. How could I not have fallen inlove? Throw in a perfectly blended strawberryshake and suddenly you found yourselfa virtual slave to its magnetic appeal.In those first years together, I was constantlyhunting for new locations as I traveledthe Southland. The Woodland Hillsstore was one of my favorites with thecanopy-covered tables in the parking lot.The Westwood location had long lines, butI didn’t care. The tantalizing thought ofthat mysterious secret sauce used on theirburgers lured me toward the nearest freewayoff-ramp without the help of a GPS.We had enjoyed plenty of good times,but I’ll always remember one particularevening at the Sepulveda Boulevard restaurantnear LAX, as we watched the planesland at dusk against the backdrop of aspectacular crimson sunset just beyondrunway L5-11. The taste of life—and thatburger—had never been sweeter.However, our time spent together in recentyears has lost much of its thrill and excitement.On my last trip there, the soggytomato and the limp slice of lettuce on myDouble-Double just stared up at me fromthe tray and appeared cold and lifeless.The thrill was gone, and I saw no other alternativebut to surrender my In-N-Outgift card—despite still owning an unusedcredit balance of $9.76.Our decline may have initially begun ona warm sunny day last year in Westwoodwhen I was mistakenly served another customer’sorder. To my utter horror, the burgerI was handed was wrapped in a slice of lettuceinstead of a freshly baked wheat bun.That cruel act perpetrated against the sacredinstitution of the classic hamburger struckme as downright un-American and wrong.Thankfully, months later, the nightmarescaused by that experience have prettymuch subsided, but things were never thesame between us again.I’m quite sure that friends will try to fixme up with someone new—Tommy’sHamburgers, the Apple Pan, Five GuysBurgers & Fries, or maybe some new noveltyon the block like Umami Burger. ButI’m simply going to need some time to healand reflect on the good times we had together.As Jivin’ Jean once sang, “Breakingup is hard to do.”As I reflect on our memorable nightwatching the planes land at LAX, I’ll fondlyremember the last scene from the movieThe author’s ex.Casablanca, as Rick and Ilsa stood on thatfoggy airport runway saying their goodbyes.I can just imagine borrowing a portionof Rick’s dramatic lines: “If that planeleaves the ground and you’re not on it,you’ll always regret it—maybe not todayand maybe not tomorrow—but soon, andfor the rest of your life. But just remember,we’ll always have Sepulveda Boulevard.”(Editor’s note: Pacific Palisades residentBob Vickrey’s columns appear in severalSouthwestern newspapers, including theHouston Chronicle. He is a member of theBoard of Contributors for the Waco Tribune-Heraldand is a regular contributor tothe Boryana Books web site.)Library OffersSummer ActivitiesReading FunThe Palisades Library’s SummerReading Fun program starts June 8 andruns through August 1. The programis for school-age children (incomingkindergarten through fifth graders andthe youngers (newborn through preschool).Both self-readers and read-tomeare welcome. Teen summer readingkickoff is 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 9,and those in grades 6 through 12 areinvited to make vegetarian sushi rollswith Acooba Scott. Sign up at the informationdesk at the library, 861 AlmaReal. Call: (310) 459-2754.Opera-Kadabra Kick-OffTo launch the reading program,singing magician Patrick Bell willenter tain at the library at 4 p.m. onJune 8. The event is for children ages3 and older.Pajama StorytimeMonday June 15 and 29 at 7 p.m. ispajama storytime. Parents and teddybears are welcome.Story-Craft TimeHear a story and then design a craftat 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 18 and 25.(Suggested for ages 3 and older.)