5 Minute Reads | Anthology

Love is a Fool - by @rosaimee

By @rosaimee

She's the most beautiful woman in the world. Every time she came to the restaurant I felt butterflies in my stomach, and my head spun. The world seemed to stop around her, and I saw nothing or hear nothing but her.

"Hey, Tim! Wake up! Take this order to table five!" Patting me on the shoulder, my boss brought me back to reality. "Stop staring at Miss Darlington and go back to work."

Grabbing the tray with awkward elegance, I meandered amid the tables in the dining, gazing at the stunning brunette sipping her cappuccino and reading a book. As I walked by, the woman smiled amiably at me. I smiled back, my eyes fixated on her. "Woaaa!" Not looking where I stepped, I stumbled upon a chair, plummeting hard on the floor . . . on top of the tray and over the soup. Broccoli and cheese splattered everywhere.

"I'm sorry . . . No, please, don't worry. I'll clean it in a minute." My face reddened with embarrassment, as I avoided looking at Miss Darlington, still knowing she was looking at me, like everyone else did, probably thinking me a fool.

I tried to clean up the mess when Mike, my boss, arrived in no time to the sticky scene. "Leave that Tim. Louise will clean that up. We'll talk in the kitchen."

'That was it. I would be certainly kicked off for this stupidity!' I thought as I followed Mike. Miss Darlington gave me a sympathetic look as I walked next to her.

After receiving a memo, I left my job that Saturday morning, earlier than expected through the rear exit door of the restaurant. Inside my head, Miss Darlington's face lingered, not in best terms, looking at me with a pitiful expression.

"Just leave me alone, Max! Don't you get it, I don't want anything with you!" a female voice yelled somewhere from the dim alley.

I peeped over the garbage containers, and it was Miss Darlington arguing with a tall, handsome man.

"You can't dump me like that Arlene! I won't let you go so easily." Grabbing her by the shoulders, the man pressed her against the wall forcing a kiss. Unable to contain myself any longer, I hustled towards them.

I patted on the guy's shoulder. "I think you've heard the lady. She wants you to leave her alone." I modulated my voice trying to sound intimidating.

Turning round he stared down at me. He was a handsome fellow, tall and muscle built. I soon regretted my intromission, but I couldn't stand the way he was treating my Miss Darlington.

"Excuse me? Who the f*ck are you?" His voice was grave.

Miss Darlington peeked by the man's side, eyes widening to see it was me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I'm Tim. Miss Darlington's friend," I stuttered. "And that's not the proper way to treat a lady."

"Oh really?" The man laughed sarcastically. "I thought you were more selective choosing your friends, Arlene . . . A waiter?" He gazed at me with disdain. "Look, Tim, if I'm treating well or not, this woman is none of your business."

Clenching my fists, I looked at Miss Darlington, she stared back at me, her eyes reddened with tears.

The man turned away and hauled the lady by her arm, "Let's go, Arlene. We'll talk at my place."

"I'm not going with you, Max! I already told you!" Miss Darlington tried to push him back.

I pulled the man's jacket, swiftly turning around he punched me in the face, throwing me over a pile of boxes. Amidst all the blurry and spinning images, I saw the man charging towards me. He lifted me up like a ragged doll; I didn't even raise my arms up, I had no strength to fight back. Closing my eyes I waited for the next blow, but at the moment he was about to punch me, Miss Darlington hit him in the head with a pipe, and Max plummeted on the floor like a chopped down tree.

"Are you okay?" Miss Darlington asked, giving me the sweetest smile, light caramel eyes locked with mine.

"Oh, yes, I'm fine . . . It's all my fault." The woman cupped my chin with tenderness. Her hand felt soft against my sore skin.

"No, please, I'm good, for real. Beaming at the man knocked down on the floor, I told her, "I think it's better to get going before your friend wakes up. He'll be really pissed off."

"Yes, you're right . . . Thanks, Tim." My name in her voice was like music to my ears.

"Oh, it was nothing. Thank you for knocking him off." I scratched my head and smiled complicity. "Hope the rest of your day does well, Miss Darlington."

"Arlene. Please call me Arlene," her rosy lips curled amiably.

"Okay, Arlene," waving goodbye, I walked towards the sidewalk and waited for a cab.

"Do you mind if I take you home? My car is around the corner. It's the least I can do for you." Arlene told me, her enchanting smile melted me like butter.

I nodded and followed her, when we passed by the restaurant poor Max wobbled up rubbing his head.

On our way, we conversed a little. It was a short drive, only a few blocks from the bistro.

"This is where I live. Thanks for the ride," I opened the car door.

"Wait! Here, take my phone number. Feel free to call me, anytime. Perhaps, we can have a coffee . . . No broccoli cheese soup included, please." She laughed out loud, cheeks blushing as she gave me a business card with her name and phone number.

As I stood on the sidewalk, I sighed, watching the black Mercedes Benz driving away. Shrugging, I read the name on the card: Arlene Darlington - MD Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon.

"Yeah right! Like a waiter will dare to invite a doctor to have coffee," I mumbled to myself, as I walked inside the condominium.

After taking a warm and soothing shower, I chuckled to recall how Arlene had saved me when I tried to save her from her ex gorilla-slash-fiancé. Sitting at the desk in my bedroom, I turned on the laptop and read the card one more time. Irony tastes like broccoli and cheese soup, and feels like genuine car seat leather . . . This waiter-wanna-be-writer ahs fallen in love with a cardio-thoracic surgeon . . . At least I have a funny story to write about tonight.

Now, more than ever, the world needs more . . . Heroes, fools, and broccoli and cheese soup. I typed.