Devin
I always wanted to be the best waitress. Sure, I also strived to be a good teacher, dog mom, friend and daughter. But really: I wanted to win at waitressing. I wanted to be memorable, for your experience at any of the restaurants I worked in to be the one you talked about years later.
Who knows why this desire to prove myself arrived in the packaging of opening a bottle of wine or suggesting an appetizer or landing an anecdote. I see the same hunger—anger even, childhood stuff come to the surface even—in the young servers here on Edisto.
Upon meeting Alan, after a long shift working at Passerelle, I announced to him that I was the second best server in Greenville.
“Who’s the first?” He asked.
“It’s this guy named Devin Dorman. I can’t even explain how he does it.” And I couldn’t, even though I’m supposed to be a writer. The level of care, knowledge, meaningful eye contact—I could go on. It’s infuriating how good he is, really.
Story goes, Devin once told our buddy Jeff that if he could have any job in the world it would be to be a butler. It makes sense. Serving others never seems to compromise Devin’s dignity. Instead, this seems to heighten it.
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Briefly, years ago, we were in the same mostly-male book club. I was so honored to be asked to join, even last minute, that I pulled two all-nighters finishing House of Leaves. Eager, yet again, to prove myself, for whatever reason.
Minutes in, Devin admitted that he hadn’t finished the book, but he had read this other one, and he proceeded to launch into the most compelling monologue about why we should read it. I wanted to pummel him for not doing the homework, but more so I was just rapped. I wish I remembered what book that was about which he was so evangelical.
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We’ve been moving in the same carousel of restaurants for more years than I care to admit. Sometimes, on a morning drive, I’ll pass him walking one of his kids to school, shout out the window to him, so casual as I’m not.
To know his smile, to know its light.
Anyway, he could use our help, as he and his family navigate this tough diagnosis. You might not know him, but I hope this helps to paint a rough sketch of a magnetic guy who would take care of you, anytime, whoever you are.
Go Fund Me posted below:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-devin-dorman-his-children