Honey Whiskey

Ashlyn

The cafe closes in 30 minutes, so I begin to wipe down the appliances and take dishes into the backroom to wash them once the doors are locked. This evening went by incredibly fast. I spent a majority of the time reading chapters from The Old Man and the Sea, which is argued as Ernest Hemingway's best work. Professor Z, AKA Professor Grump, assigned it to us this past week and told us that we need to write a five-page paper that discusses the main idea, what it meant to us while reading, and if we related to any of it. Other than reading, I stayed busy helping customers and making their drinks, and talking to James. He's been here all evening and I'm definitely not complaining about my view, which I often have to force myself from looking at. Seeing him helped brighten the day that my mother decided to ruin. I was planning on coming home for Thanksgiving break, which is about a month and a half away, but she decided to cancel my ticket home because she thinks it's best if I stay here. I'm not that upset about not seeing them for the holiday, but I wanted to see my friends that will be going back home. When I told Morgan, she told me not to sweat it because it's obvious that I'm going home with her this year. It's a sweet and generous offer, but I'm not sure if I want to intrude on their family time and it's probably for the best that I stay behind and work to gain more money. Time will tell if I end up going or not. 

I glance up from my book and realize that nobody is in the cafe anymore, not even James. I'm a bit shocked that he didn't say goodbye, but then I see that his stuff is still on the coffee table and assume he went outside for a phone call or to take a walk as a break. I take the last of the dishes into the back and start the dishwasher when I hear the front door bell ding. I have my hands full of dishes so I quickly shout, "Sorry! We close in 5 minutes, so I won't be able to take any more orders. Come back tomorrow!" and continue putting the clean dishes away. I don't hear a response, but I also didn't hear the bell ding again so I make my way back to the front counter. I'm taking off my apron when I see James with a large to-go bag sitting on the sidebar. "What's this?" I ask while I'm overtaken by the smell of marinara sauce and other spices that makes my stomach growl. 

"I didn't see you eat anything, so I ran and got us dinner. I hope that's okay." Butterflies are fluttering in my stomach at the gesture. I check my watch and see it's closing time, "Perfect timing" I say as I walk to the door, lock it, and flip the sign to "closed." I grab myself and James a bottle of water and pull up a chair to the bar, but I'm still behind the counter so I can face him. He has already unpacked the food and is handing me a breadstick. "Thank you so much for this," I say as I stuff the breadstick into my mouth and moan as the buttery bread melts as I chew. "You really are a superhero." James laughs and begins cutting into his pasta. "I wanted to have dinner with you since I met you, but since you're so busy, I figured this was the only chance I had so I took it." I feel awful. I know he's been patient with me and it means a lot. I half expected him to give up since I'm never able to hang out. I offer a small smile, "I know, I'm really sorry. I wish I had more free time so we could hang out more. I'm thinking once this semester slows down a bit, it'll be different." "Don't be sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I get how busy the first year is." 

We eat in silence for a bit, mostly because I was starving and the food is too incredible to take my time with, but it isn't awkward. It feels comfortable sitting here with him. "So," He begins, "Tell me about yourself. Where are you from? Any siblings? Any freaky obsessions?" I stop chewing and look him dead in the eyes, "Is this a good time to tell you I collect teeth?" He practically chokes on his water and his eyes bulge, "I'm sorry, what?" I can't contain my laughter anymore and start to crack up. "I'm kidding! You should have seen your face." He covers his mouth with his hand and tells me that I cannot have his teeth. We continue eating as I tell him about myself. That I'm from Utah, have no siblings unless you count my family dog, and that my parents are lawyers. I learn that he has a younger brother, his dad played for the NBA until his knee blew out, and that his mom died recently. He didn't seem to have a happy vibe when he discussed his father, with that and him talking about the loss of his mother, I could feel my heart break for him. 

Once we finish our dinner, I throw away the containers while he packs up his belongings. We walk out of the cafe together and I lock the door. "Can I walk you home?" James asks. "Oh, that isn't necessary. I live in the complete opposite direction than you and it's only a 5-minute walk. I'll be fine." He nods his head a little and puts his hands into his pockets. "See, it sounded like a question, but it wasn't. I'm not letting you walk home by yourself at 11 at night. Lead the way, Whiskey." I smile as we begin to walk. "Fine, but if you leave my house with less of your pearly whites than you had when you got there, don't be mad at me." "Stop it! You're starting to scare me!" His voice went up a few octaves when he said this, and we both start laughing. Tonight is getting better and better as it goes on and I owe it all to James.