Heaven, Hell, and Earth

Chapter 47

After washing the disgustingly sweet taste of chocolate and candy out of his mouth with toothpaste and mouth-wash, Alastor decided to make something useful out of this newly discovered connection that he had with Charlie. See the outside world through her eyes, learn things about her that he had never been able to, learn about her job and how she interacted with regular people. She watched her welcome customers into the diner with a smile, take each of their orders politely, and serve them their meals graciously. He listened to the pleasant conversations she would have with Niffty when she had free time, she observed how fast and skilled she was at customer service, and he could smell the delicious scent of bacon, eggs, sausage, burgers, grilled sandwiches, and coffee. But most important, he could feel how happy working in that diner made her. How hearing compliments from the customers and knowing she did a good job made her feel like she could really fit in. That she could do something right for once.

He never knew that a simple job as a waitress at diner could make her feel that way. But perhaps it wasn't as simple as it appeared to him and others. She always wanted to help people, to contribute to human society, but in a way that didn't require violence and secrets and things that weren't normal. In other words, this job made her feel truly human. He couldn't understand why she wanted to be human so much but he could recognize that it was important to her. If only he could find someway to fit into that kind of life she wanted.

"Hey cutie!"

Suddenly he and Charlie's attention was caught by a group college students pigging out at a table in the corner. All of them male, stupid, and horny, he could tell. There they were whistling and making cat-calls like some unfixed hound dog.

"Yoo-hoo over here!"

"Hey there pretty lady!"

"Hubba-hubba!"

"I got a new order for ya."

Charlie huffed in annoyance then forced herself to smile.

"Can I help you gentlemen?" She asked approaching them.

"Yeah." One of them said staring lecherously at Charlie. "Why don't you let me take a bite of that sweet cake of yours?"

"You mean the coffee cake?"

"No. The one you're modeling off behind you."

His friends started to laugh. Charlie was instantly disgusted, Alastor was enraged.

"Pervert!" He snarled. "You should pour that coffee down his pants!"

"Alastor, hush." Charlie whispered.

"Come on Kevin, that's not funny." Another guy said.

"Oh lighten up Zeke." The creep called Kevin chuckled. "We're just teasing your girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?!" Alastor was aghast. "Did he just say girlfriend? As in, female companion with whom you have a special association, including affection and intimacy?"

"Alastor be quiet, I'm working." She whispered again.

"When did this happen?! And why with one of these boils on humanity?!"

"I'm not his girlfriend Al, it's a joke."

"So you're not dating any of them?"

"No but even if I was, it wouldn't be any of your business. Not zip it, I can't talk to you when I'm in public like this."

She continued on with her work and Alastor silently watched and listened, trying to keep his emotions in check. A little while later, those college boys finally left but Zeke stayed behind to talk to Charlie.