Malarie (Mal) is a 21 year old, city raised woman who works at a Waffle House in central California who so desperately wants to live in a small town. She is an early gen Z and feels like she doesn't fit in with her surroundings, she would love to ju...
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Mal's POV:
Harry has been in the Waffle House everyday for the last week and I can't seem to figure out why. It's the same banter every time. The only time he has mentioned anything other than small talk was when he had asked me for some of my time.. whatever that means.
"Hey Harry, same tabel?" I ask, as I see him walk in. Black v-neck on with a Hawaiian button down hanging over his shoulders, unbuttoned, along with black skinny jeans and sunglasses perched on his nose. I watch as his tall figure makes it's way toward me with a smile on his face.
Damn he's got more styles than I do. I think to myself. "Yes please, how's work treating ya today love?" He asks with a smile. "Ehh it's alright" I say back. "I bet it's better now that I'm here" he says with a cheeky smile and I smile back. "Oh yeah definitely" I say with obvious sarcasm in my voice. While he's a nice guy and all, I really don't want to put down anymore roots in LA. I need to keep a clear head on moving, and I can't do that if I make more friends.
I seat Harry at his usual table and wait for Mr. Neal to come through the doors at the counter.
Soon enough.. in comes Mr. Neal looking kinda down. I wonder what's wrong. "Hi Mr. Neal" I say in hopes of cheering him up. "Oh good morning dear" he says with a slight smile that looks way too forced. I give him his coffee, already knowing what he's going to order, I put it in the order book for the chefs. "You look down Mr. Neal, can I ask what's wrong?" I ask. "Oh it's just a sad day for my old soul deer.. nothing you need to hear about." He says, and I think his words were supposed to give me some kind of comfort but they didn't. "Are you sure? I'm a good listener and I've got a good amount of crap I've dealt with and helped other people deal with so I'm basically a therapist with a licence to serve coffee." I lightly chuckle at my joke in hopes he would too.
He gives me a soft smile, but no laughter escapes him. "Oh well it's the anniversary of my wife's passing, it's been 20 years without her.." he says and I stay silent for a second thinking of what to say. "I'm sorry Mr. Neal.. I had no idea, I'm sure she was a wonderful lady. She must have been pretty lucky to get a gentleman like you." I say.. trying to cheer him up. "Oh she was more than wonderful and lucky.." he says. "She was the love of my life, she was such an amazing person Malarie, I was the lucky one." He says and I think about what he's saying.
Wow
I nod not knowing what else to say really. I give him a smile then serve him his coffee. "I'll be right back." I say before I go over to Harry's table. "Same old, same old?" I ask.. plastering my smile on again. "Bold of you too assume I'm that boring" he says in mock offence. I roll my eyes and give a genuine smile. "So what'll it be today then?" I ask.
He thinks for a minute tapping his chin, almost like he's stalling. "Ermm.. I'll have the bacon and eggs this morning. With a black coffee as usual." He says politely "Adventurous!" I says in mock disbelief. "Okay that'll be right up." I say.
It's the end of my shift and I'm sitting at an empty table with all of my stuff in my bag, staring at the receipt in my hand. I think back through the day to what could have led to this moment. After I served Harry's order and Mr, Neal's.. I cleaned off the rest of the bar counter and seated a few other people but they had other servers so I didn't need to worry about them. Then through out Mr, Neal's time here, I tried to make him smile but failed numinous times. He told me the story of him and his wife and I listened. After Mr. Neal left I headed over to Harry's table and got him to pay before he left. Today was different because he usually says goodbye before he leaves but today he didn't, I want fazed by it.. maybe he was busy. But then I got to his table.. the table that I'm sitting at right now. Contemplating what to do with the little piece of paper in my hand.
I sit here for a good few minutes just staring.
310-545-0198
H.
Why... just why? Why would he leave his number for me. Was it for me? I mean he said something about "wanting some of my time" but that was like over a week ago. I am so confused. And tired. I didn't sleep well last night and it was a long day today. I don't have enough time to dwell on the cryptic piece of paper any longer. So I shove it into my apron pocket and head home for the night. •••
Hiii everybody! I'm so sorry this chapter is up so late. It's been forever since I last updated.. my Wattpad was being a dick lmao. But anyway Happy New Years! I know it's still sucks and it's like 2020 on steroids. I just wanted to say that my heart goes out to anyone in the states, the bomb threats and the aftermath of the capital being stormed is probably really scary. All I can say is I hope that horrible wretched man is suspended and physically removed from office because I'm not sure the world can take anymore of this bullshit. Anyway.. on a lighter note: why do you think Harry left his number? And why do you think she ended up putting it in her pocket? Will she call him? Will he come to the Waffle House tomorrow?? Who knows??!!
Anyway, big love to everyone who has stuck around I'm sorry this chapter is late.. the next one will be up by Monday, maybe earlier. Byyeee! Xx
