The song that changed my heart

The Waiter

The alarm clock cut through the silence with its insistent ringing. Vincent groaned as he slammed his hand down on it. He rubbed his eyes before crawling out of bed. The cold hit him like a train, and was accompanied by the pitter patter of water droplets hitting the window. Vincent grabbed the bathrobe that had been slugged over the desk chair, and slipped on a pair of fluffy slippers before walking out his room, and into a hall. He made a left, walked a few feet and found a switch to flick it on. Illuminating the grand hall. Vincent squinted his eyes and groaned before letting them adjust, and making a right into the kitchen. He walked in and flicked on the lights before walking over to a small box and opened the small door to reveal three croissants inside. Vincent grabbed one before walking over to a cupboard and grabbing a plate. He placed the croissant onto it before walking over to the pantry and grabbing jam, then going to the fridge, and grabbed butter. Before returning to the area next to the stove. He grabbed a small knife, opened a drawer and pulled out a butter knife. He returned to the corsaint. Cut it in half horizontally, spreading butter on each half. He ducked into another cupboard and pulled out a pan before bringing it to the stove. Ignite the stove, placing the pan on it, and placing the cosiants halves on it and let them sizzle for about a minute before turning them over. Making sure each side was toasted before removing them from the pan, and placing them on the plate. He turned the stove off, grabbed a towel and used it to protect his hands as he placed the pan in the sink. Returning his attention to the croissant he grabbed a different knife from the drawer and spread the jam on the toasted bread before putting the half on, and making a sandwich. He grabbed the knives and dropped them in the sink before walking over to the kettle and pouring some water into it and placing it to warm on the stove. Now that he thought about it, it was probably the first thing he should've done. He shrugged it off and walked over to a cupboard with his mugs. He grabbed a small one and brought it to the counter. He walked over to a different cupboard, opened it, and pulled out a tea bag from a small box before returning to the stove and mug. He placed the bag in the mug, and waited until the kettle started to hiss. Then he grabbed the towel and poured the water into the mug. He turned the stove off and left the kettle on it before turning his attention to his sandwich. Taking a bite was a grueling and tortuous experience. The crunch of the toasted croissant with the slobbery lumps, and smooth texture of the jam just agonizing him more. He knew he had to eat. But it was growing harder without any texture. Even the act of chewing was just enough to make him sick to his stomach. He quickly swallowed the bite before going in for another one. Going through the motions of chewing it quickly, swallowing, and repeating until everything was gone. Now it was time for his tea. He took the bag out and threw it in the trash. The clear water had now turned a greenish color as he brought it to his lips. Feeling the warmth of the drink. Not too hot, and not too cold. He brought it up and rapidly chugged the drink. Washing down his food, and the awful textures of the slobbery jam had left. With one final gulp everything was gone. He grabbed his mug and plate, brought them to the sink, and began to go through the process of cleaning all the utensils and placing them in the drying rack. He walked back to the hall and into the bathroom. Flicking on the light switch revealed the well polished bathroom. Walking in front of the mirror Vincent ran his fingers through his black hair. It was knotted and messy from his slumber. He grabbed his brush and smoothed it out. Leaving it smoothed out and ready for the day. He grabbed his toothbrush, and toothpaste. Placing a small dollop before brushing his teeth until they almost shined. Rinsing the brush off he walked back to his room. Opening his wardrobe he grabbed his chef's uniform. He laid it out on the bed. Stripping out of his pajamas before throwing his work clothes on. Looking at the clock on his bedside table. 7:15 a.m it read. He had some time remaining. He left his room. Turning off all the lights in that hall, and in the kitchen before walking into the living room. Flicking on the switch illuminated the gray walls with dark floors. Shelves pressed against the walls and lined with books, and some photos. Put next to the framed paintings he prized. He made a sharp right where his cello stood on its stand. A bow on the shelf next to it, and the stand placed in front of a stoll. He placed the book and flipped it to the first page and sat down before grabbing his cello and bow. He looked up at the book and began to play. His fingers glided up and down. Moving from string to sting alongside his bow. Filling the empty apartment with some life. Life that had gone out a long time. Now it felt like it was being restored. All due to one instrument, something that at least could provide comfort for his soul. Unlike everything else in his life. As the song ended he took a deep breath. Looking up at the wall clock. 7:18. Barely any time had passed. Vincent stared back at the book. Song after song until the time eventually reached 7:32. Vincent sighed as he returned the cello and bow to their previous locations. He got up and turned off the lights before heading to the front door. He grabbed a set of keys, and an umbrella before leaving his apartment. He locked the door behind him and made his way to the elevator, down to the lobby, and into the parking lot. The small patter of droplets hit the ground around him as he left the building. He opened his umbrella and held it over his head. Leaving him completely dry beneath. Walking through he wasn't used to it being this empty. Especially on a rainy day. Yet it wasn't a weekend, and he was leaving around the time everyone else had already left. Leaving the lot at the mercy of the rain. His car was close to the building. It was black and only made to hold three with its bench seats. He placed the key in a hole against the driver door and turned it. A click sound rang throughout before he opened the door and climbed inside. He closed the umbrella and then closed the door. The inside was a cool temperature. Nothing less than what he expected during a rainy day. He placed the key in another latch on the steering wheel. He turned it causing a rumble to emerge from the engine. Immediately the car came to life. A blast of chilly air flooded through the a.c. Alongside the radio. Sparking to life with a hum before notes from a violin began to fill the car. He placed the umbrella on the seat next to him before. Placing his car in reverse. He kept his foot on the break as he looked behind him out a small window before slowly releasing it. Letting the car drive backwards out of the spot. Once out where he could turn he stepped on the brake before putting the car in forward drive, and returning his vision to the windshield. He flipped a switch turning on the windshield wipers. Before leaving the lot. The drive was a quick one as he didn't live too far from the bistro. He pulled into the lot. Parking in the spot closest to the employee entrance. Turning off the car he grabbed his umbrella and opened the door. Quickly flinging the umbrella out and open. Letting it block the rain shower above as he removed his key and got out. He shut the door and locked it before walking to the employee entrance, and unlocked that door. The restaurant looked almost spooky in the dark. Usually when he had shifts the sun would add some contrast to the darkened restaurant, but when it was cloudy, with the rain pattering it made the restaurant seem eerie. As if it were Dracula's castle. A twisted grin appeared on Vincent's face. He loved it when it was like this. You never know what would jump out of the dark when it looked like this. Of course he wasn't afraid of anyone jumping out in the middle of the restaurant. Quite the contrast. He would welcome anyone who dared to jump out. It just meant that they would have to deal with him. He spared himself a chuckle as he flicked on the light switches. A hiss escaped him as he shut his eyes. Before opening them again and letting them adjust. It was then he realized he had left his umbrella open. He closed it before walking to the office. He unlocked it as well, and placed his umbrella in a corner of the room. Before he walked into the kitchen. He pulled up the metal door covering the window. Leaving the area of the dining room into view. The lights in that area had been turned on as well. Vincent walked into the area and unlocked the guest doors. Going on throughout the restaurant he began with the daily chores. Putting money that had been locked in a safe into the register. Walking back into the kitchen he placed the employee clock on the wall making sure the pen was securely tightened to the sheet. Unlocking the janitor's closet, and forcing the first person to arrive to take out the trash. Lastly he unlocked the freezer door. One by one the chefs, and other waiters arrived at work. All except one. One Vincent had expected, but he didn't arrive. Even when the customers started to come in he didn't show. Until twenty minutes later. Twenty minutes he was supposed to start his shift, and he was twenty minutes late. "Sorry I'm late!" Rody exclaimed as he bursted through the employee entrance. Vincent turned around, clipboard in hand. Holding every restraint in order to not smack the waiter over the head with it. "Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it! You've been working here for long enough that..." Every and all critiques died in Vincent's voice as he looked at the drenched male. "Why do you look like that?" Vincent asked as he pointed at Rody. Rody looked down at himself. By now a puddle had formed underneath him. "Oh well, I thought biking in the rain would dry me as I go, but it just soaks me faster." Rody admitted, seemingly embarrassed by his thought process. Vincent wanted to scream at him. He wanted to shout and yell at him for being late. But nothing came out. Everything he wanted to shout at Rody never made it to his throat, let alone his mind. Instead all that came out with a sigh. "Follow me." Vincent said as he began to walk to the office. He could hear the wet squelches of shoes against the polished tiles. When reaching the office Vincent grabbed one of the chairs and moved it by the door. "Sit." Vincent demanded as he pointed at the chair. Vincent opened a cabinet placed on the side. Grabbing a towel out of it and walking over to Rody. Vincent knew he should've just tossed the towel over to Rody and told him to dry himself. Yet he didn't instead he walked over and began to run the towel through the messy ginger locks. "You do realize umbrella's exist for a reason." Vincent said biterley. Rody just shrugged. "Don't own one." Vincent nearly paused. Don't own one? How could somebody not own an umbrella? Almost every person he knew had one. Not to mention the casualness behind Rody's tone. "I'm giving you mine for the ride back." Vincent said as he moved the towel down to Rody's neck. "Then how are you going to get home?" Rody asked. "I have a car. My car has a roof, and my apartment is indoors." Vincent explained as Rody turned to look at him. "But what about the journey to your car?" Rody asked. Vincent wanted to smack him. He grabbed the towel and brought it back over Rody's head. Running it through one last time before flinging it over his face. "If you have enough time to talk you're ready for work." Vincet said as he walked over to a different cabinet. "What size are you?" Vincent asked as he looked through the piles of uniform shirts, pants, and vest. "Large." Rody replied, holding the towel over his chest. Vincent grabbed one of each he knew would fit Rody. As he walked back he took into account Rody's height. He was most definitely taller than Vincent. Almost by a full foot or two. Vincent shoved the uniform into his chest. "Change into those. You can't be seen by customers looking like that." Vincent said before walking back over and grabbing more towels. Though this time he just threw them at Rody. "And finish drying off." Vincent shouted. "Yes sir." Rody said as he sprinted out of the office. Vincent followed. Now keeping his eyes on the cooks. Their eyes focused on the food, and their mouths shut. Just how he liked it. Vincent signed Rody as he rushed out of the employee bathroom. Dressed in a dry uniform. Vincent held back a gag at the thought of Rody just leaving his clothes, and wet towels on the floor. Pity to anyone who entered that restroom.