Unforeseen

Chapter I

I remember the first time I ever saw you at the café on the corner. I was with my parents, and you were working the afternoon shift, waiting tables. A thin smile on your face as you took hungry customer's orders. You looked content – satisfied. I wish I could feel the same. Quickly taking a look around the room I hung my head slightly to avoid any eye contact with you. I could feel a ghostly smile on my face as the wheels in my head began to turn...what if? 

After a few minutes, I heard a calm, warm voice greet us, lifting my head I found you standing there, smiling and waiting patiently for our drink order. Looking at you was like looking at the stars, you drew me in, you had an air about you. Everything you did was with ease, the way you moved, the way you spoke, everything. By the end of our meal, my parents were nothing less than pleased with the whole visit, which rarely occurs. 

"We had never been to this café before," my father told the young man. "What excellent food and exceptional service thank you, my boy. It appears we will have to come here more often." 

The young man smiled and told us how their little café gets easily drowned out and forgotten with all the other places around. Not only that but the location isn't the best being on a corner there are no sights to see, only the hustle of the moving vehicles and an endless array of uniformed shops. But then you proceeded with something unexpected, that it was an honest place and that was hard to come by these days. You shot a glance my way, giving me a small smile, your cheeks appearing a bit flushed after my father used the term my boy. 

Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, my father gave the man more than enough money to cover the bill and told him to keep the rest. Overwhelmed the man began to protest, but my father insisted and told him that he deserved it. 

"Take my word for it, from me this is a compliment, is it not my ladies, how often do I award such kind gestures?" my father asked. 

Ever since I could remember he was always keen on boasting when he could. It took everything in me not to snort or roll my eyes at him when he behaved in this manner.

"That was very kind darling," my mother said, nodding her head in agreement. Turning her attention away from my father and towards the young man, she said, "Not everyone does such a phenomenal job as you did sweetheart, you were kind and funny. Customers like to see life out of someone serving them. After all that's what your job is – to please the people and to serve them." She ended by looking him up and down, clearly pointing out the fact that he was beneath her because of his occupation. 

With this, my parents gathered their things and began to depart. Glancing over at you one last time before leaving, I could tell the words my mother had spoken stung a little. 

"She has a knack for making people feel unimportant, in her own way. She tries to make it sound like a compliment, but she always manages to slip an insult in there and be degrading," I said.

Peering up at me from clearing the table you looked as if you wanted to say something, but you didn't. Didn't want to, didn't feel comfortable, didn't trust me, something along those lines and sadly I understood. I wanted you to speak up and say something, to tell me what was on your mind, but you wouldn't. I didn't know why I was drawn to you like this, but I was. For some reason, I felt as if I could talk to you easily. Like I could share secrets with you and feel no judgment.

"Well..." I said after pausing for a moment. "Don't let my mother's remarks get you down, just ignore her. The truth is this is your job and if you enjoy it good for you. Don't let her or anyone make you think you're nothing because your job is serving people."

It was at this I took one last look, seeing kindness on his face that radiated through his eyes, and it made me feel good, pretty clear minded actually that I got that off my chest. I hated my parents pushing me around let alone a stranger who was nothing but courteous. Within the final seconds, I noticed that his name tag read Danny before walking away. 

Stopping at the doorway, I wondered if my final words held any meaning with you. Looking over my shoulder I found you staring after me, holding the brightest smile on your face. With that look, I knew that they had. I smiled too as I left the café.