Leslie

The scent of roses and women's purfume filled the air. As I entered the restaurant, tears started forming in my eyes. I'm a man I can't cry. Whatever, I don't care, there's a good enough reason for me to even cry.
The waitress welcomed me. I asked for a table for two, and told the waitress she was coming, she was on her way. The waitress nodded as she looked into my eyes.
"Sir, are you alright?"
No.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine."
No.
"Uh, actually miss, may I choose a table to sit at? It would mean very much to me."
I led her to the table I sat at that very exact night.
"But sir... I'm not so sure.. That's a family table..."
"Please, I'll pay extra. It would mean so very much if I could."
"Uhhh.. Okay then. Would you like a drink, sir?"
"No thanks."
"Okay. I'll be back to get your order, sir."
"Thank you, ma'am."
She left. I looked around and saw many couples, and families having joy, laughing happily, and looking if to have no worries at all if only it was really that way.
I sighed. She came back.
"One more thing sir, would you like us to notify you when 'she' comes?"
"Uh, okay.."
"May I have her last name..?"
"Oh, it's um.. Leslie. Leslie Katherine Winters.."
"Okay! Thank you sir. We will notify you when she arrives."
"Okay."
That was probably the longest fucking conversation I've had in a while. I sat down and closed my eyes, trying to go back ten years ago when I'd first met her. I remembered everything so.. so clearly. It seems like it's actually happening! On the inside though, I knew it was just another burning memory inside my mind that had no words at the moment.

I was out at dinner in this exact restaurant with close kin folk of mine. She was sitting at the exact table across from me. After she tripped, after she'd touched my shoulder for balance, after she picked up the contents up that had fell out her purse that were spread out all over the floor, we looked into each others eyes. They had to be, and were the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen! Her cheeks, oh my, her cheeks they were a blush pink, making her look all over, the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. She looked over and said "Sorry." I couldn't stop staring into her blue eyes.
Later that evening at the restaurant, I was walking to the men's room, and I looked over and saw her walking back. I quickly stopped her.

"Miss, you have the most beautiful pair of blue eyes I've ever seen. And I, infact, have seen a lot of eyes, I'm an eye surgeon."
That in fact was a lie, but shit, I had to get my point across to the lady. Her cheeks blushed pink and looked down.
"Oh.... Thank you."
She was so beautiful.
"Can I have your number?"
"Excuse me?"
"May I have your number? We could keep in contact."
I smiled. We exchanged numbers, and she smiled the most beautiful smiles I had ever seen yet again.

After about a month of texting and constant late night calls, we both decided to meet again at the same restaurant where this friendship begun. I still remember her long brown brunette curls, and her midnight blue dress, her diamond earrings, her beautiful expensive smelling purfume, and her smile of course. I could never forget that innocent smile, never. When we got home, she would take all of her makeup off, and all of her lingerie, and slip into her pajamas. You could say we were a married couple, but no, just friends. She was perfect, the most perfect woman I had ever seen, and I was glad to be a part of her.

"Um hello?! Sir, you ready to choose your entrée for tonight?"
"I'll have...."
I had to remember what I had got on that very night ten long years ago.
"Bistecca Alla fiorentina."
"Likewise, sir. I'll be back soon with your order."
"Danke."
I didn't have much of an appetite tonight. I only ordered it because the smell reminded me of her. I haven't came to the restaurant since she'd left. I couldn't bear it, going to the restaurant without her. I didn't think it'd happen, nor did I want it to. Today's our ten year anniversary, not since we had got married, but when I had first laid eyes on that beauty. Truth is, it seemed like we were married even before so. We were connected.
But,
stupid cancer had to conceal into her life, even mine. I couldn't bear that either. Even though it took her away from me, it took part of me too.
The food came.
The smell reminded me of her. Everything. Just everything. Her smile, her beautiful face, the drinks and laughs. Everything.
I didn't feel like eating, I just wanted to cry, well, barley, but it's just... I don't know. It took too much away from me. God damn fucking life plays tricks. Life is like a movie I've seen too many times. Fuck it, never mind.
I played with the food and hummed her favorite song. Tears formed in my eyes. I had already broke her promise..

"Drake, you know I'm going to have to leave one day, and when I do, DO NOT give up. I know I'm going to lose. But you promise me you will not cry for me, or over me. Alright? Promise me.."
"Leslie you shouldn't joke like that! Everything will be fine. Me and you equals happiness, remember!? We used to live by it.."
"Drake, no.. One wins, one loses. Promise me?"
"Okay."
"No. Say it. You promise."
"I promise...."
I didn't want to say it, but she was right, maybe I shouldn't give up. My eyes were misty, so were hers, but sadly we couldn't help but not to be devastated.
This time when the waitress came, she looked into my eyes.

"Sir, I'll ask again, is everything okay?"
Pfft, no.
"Yes."
"No you're not.
"True."
"Can I help?"
"Not unless you can bring her.. Leslie."
"Sir, sorry but she ha-"
"She's gone. She's gone. Yeah, she's FUCKING GONE."
I got up furiously, not meaning to take my anger out on the poor lady but ah, I couldn't bear to not yell at this point in time.
She suddenly got.. quiter.
"I'm so sorry sir, what happened?.."
"Cancer. Nature taking its coarse."
I sat back down, everybody looking at me in a monotoned way.
"Tell me about her, this Leslie."
Why?
She offered to listen so I took advantage.
"She was... That girl. Well woman, but she was the one. Blue eyes, awesome personality, so beautiful. She was the one. Now it's gone. Just gone...

"Sir I'm so sorry, honestly I can't even say how much I feel so bad for this. Maybe she'll cone to you in person like nothing ever happened."
"She kept on apologizing, and I just looked at her, in shock. Her eyes, gleaming blue, the brunette curls, the blush pink cheeks, just everything about this waitress reminded me of my dear Leslie.

"Ma'am I meant to ask before but, what is your name?"
"Leslie."