Need You

CHAPTER O2

I roamed the city in search of the bar Derrick and I hang out at.

So many things had change throughout the city and so I found it difficult spotting the bar.

Where I stood was where I knew, or at least thought, the bar was located.

Certainthat I wasn't in the wrong area, I approached a lady standing by the road thinking that maybe she could help.

"Hello."

"Hello." She responded warmly.

"I haven't been in this area for a while now. I remember there being a bar somewhere around here and I'm wondering where it is."

"That bar has been replaced with the restaurant over there." She pointed to a building  across the road.

Looking at the restaurant, I saw a signpost right in front of it and on it was, "Ethel's Diner". "Okay, thank you." I said.

I thought I could ask of Derrick at the bar but there was no bar. Where else could I go? I couldn't think of any other place.

It was getting dark and it hit me that the chances of my sleeping on the streets were high.

My stomach rumbled, reminding me that I had not eaten. Food was the last thing on my mind.

I sat across the street staring at the restaurant. My stomach just wouldn't stop rumbling.

I found myself putting one foot ahead of the other across the street and entering the restaurant.

Immediately, I was hit by the tantalising aromas that had diffused throughout the space. I had no money but I was hungry and had to eat somehow.  Spotting a table in the back corner, I walked to it composedly.

I was starting to regret giving all my money to that driver.

"He could have duped me for all I know," I thought as I browsed the menu.

"Harry." Someone mentioned my name and when I looked up, a familiar face was smiling at me.

"Richard." I said. He was wearing a black uniform and had a black apron on as well.

"When did you get back?"

"Get back?" I wasn't sure he knew about my conviction.

"Derrick told me you were in Europe."

"Oh." I chuckled, "I was. I actually got back today." I went along with Derrick's lie.

"Okay."

"Um, have you seen Derrick around?"

"Derrick? Is he also back?" His question made me wonder if Derrick had left the country.

"Yeah, he is. He said maybe he'd meet me here if he got the chance."

"He said he'd meet you here?"

"We had to come check out our favorite bar which we found out had been replaced with a restaurant." I added.

"Yeah, they decided to change it into a restaurant a year after you and Derrick left." Richard said. "They already had a bartender and so I decided to be a waiter."

"That's nice."

"So, are you ready to order or are you going to wait for Derrick?"

"I'm ready to order."

"Okay, tonight's special is the —" I interrupted Richard by telling him, "Um, I'm going to go with the chicken and fries."

"Are you sure?"

That was the cheapest meal on the menu. "Yeah, I'm sure. I don't have a big appetite right now." I said.

"Okay. I'll be back with order soon."

The whole time he was gone, I was wondering how I was going to get away with not paying for the food because there was no way I could pay for it. I had already ordered and I was hungry. No way I was sending it backe either. Hopefully, the plan I had in mind would work.

Richard came for the plate when I was done. "I hope you enjoyed the food." He said as he put the bill on the table. "And you liked the service." He grinned.

"Oh I did." I forced a smile.

He took the plate away and when I saw him coming back, I had to put my plan in motion. I started looking around frantically like I had lost something.

I looked under the table, picked up the menu and looked, looked under the chair.

"Is everything okay?" I heard Richard ask and I stood immediately.

"I can't find my wallet." I said, feeling my pockets.

"How? Did you have it with you when you came in?"

"I did." I said. "If I don't find it, how am I going to pay for the food?"

"You're sure you had it with you when you came in?"

"Hello." A woman with her hair pulled in a tight bun came over. She stood beside Richard and on her black dress was a tag which said, "Manager". "Is everything okay here?" She asked.

"He says he came with his wallet but  can't find it." Richard explained.

"Really? Did you have it with you when you came in sir?" She asked me.

"I thought I did. Maybe I left it in the taxi I came here with." I slapped my hand against my forehead and groaned. "I have all my money in it. How am I going to pay now?" I added.

The manager seemed to be in thoughts. "What did he order?"

"Chicken and fries." Richard answered.

"Maybe I could do some work to pay it off?" I suggested.

"There will be no need for that. It's unfortunate you can't find your wallet. Don't worry about it. It's on the house."

"Really?" She nodded. It worked! "Thank you so much. I'm so sorry this happened. I promise you that the next time I come here, I will pay for the meal."

"You don't have to do that." She smiled.

"No, I do. And I'll double your tip, Richard." I said happily. My plan had worked. "Thank you so much madam."

"It's okay. Just make sure to come back, and bring someone along." She smiled.

"I will. Thank you again." I said to her, and with that she left. Richard followed her.

I walked out satisfied. If only the plan I used before would work at a hotel, I wouldn't be worried about where I'd be sleeping.