Edwardus Augustinus is a man on a mission to find normalcy. Tired of always feeling like he is living under a microscope being daily scrutinized by the public and his family, he's set off on a spontaneous adventure. The only thing he left behind was...
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"Can I have A Red Tux and a toasted Muffuletta sandwich with extra cheese please? Said Edwardus
When the waitress didn't move to go get his order he looked up at her. She stood there with her pen paused over her notepad, one eyebrow raised, mouth slightly open looking at him like he had asked her to climb on the table and do a crazy dance.
"Sir did you just ask me for a tux? Because if you did you're in the wrong place honey. The only tux I know is the tuxedo you men wear now and then"
"Sorry, can I just have coffee, extra cream and suger and a..." He looked down at the menu on the table. "Breakfast sandwich?"
"Are you asking me or telling me what you want?"
He looked up at her wishing she would just walk away and get him something to eat instead of just standing here drawing unwanted attention to him. He pinned her with a exasperated look.
"Alright then coffee and a sandwich coming right up honey"
He watched her walk behind the counter and pin is order by the kitchen window then dinged the bell and went to her next customer.
He glanced around him and noticed a few persons were staring at him and whispering to each other. He immediately started getting nervous because usually when persons whisper is never anything good.
"Don't you pay attention to Zelda. Her bark is bigger than her bite" said a old man that sat at a table next to his.
"Now Frank don't be talking about me behind my back" said the waitress
"Now sweetheart you know your little act doesn't work on me"
The waitress grumbled something about nosey old men but still she walked over and sent Frank a smile and a wink before refilling his cup of coffee. Edward watched as the old man blushed and shooed the middle age woman away.
"You don't say much do you son?" He asked Edward
"Only when necessary sir"
"And that's the way it should be. Folks these days doesn't know when to just stay quiet and leave people be"
Edward tried to bite back a smile at the irony of the situation. Here he was just to have some peace and quiet and read his newspaper over breakfast but Frank was the one doing all the talking. He realized he didn't mind though. The old man reminded him of his grandfather in a strange way. They were worlds apart different but oddly the same.
Edward thanked the waitress as she came back and gave him his food. He was thankful when the old man returned to his own meal and left him to his solitude.
As he skipped through the paper he felt himself relax. For the first time in a long time he didn't open the paper to find a picture of himself staring back at him or more importantly a picture of himself splashed in the newspaper that the media decided to turn into something that it wasn't.
He took a sip of his coffee and grimaced at the bitterness. He felt someone watching him and turn to see the same waitress staring pointedly at the cup in his hands before staring at his face. He slowly brought the cup back to his lips tempted to pinch his nose as he took long gulps until the cup of coffee was finished. He looked back at the waitress to find her grinning at him causing him to chuckle and shake his head.
This place is going to be interesting.
He finished off his sandwich and put some money under his plate as he got up and reached for his jacket. He nodded to the old man the waved at the waitress and turned to walk out of the restaurant. Just as he reached for the door it was pulled open and the sound of the bell attached to the door echoed through the restaurant.
Edward looked up and was startled at the striking beauty of the woman that stood before him. Her midnight black hair flowed over her shoulder, her cherry plump lips set in a delicate pout, her nose so dainty and could only be described as one thing, elegant. Her pencil thin eyebrows eased down to hide her eyes but not before he caught a glimpse of her delicate baby blue eye. Eyes that could bring a man with the coldest heart to his knees.
Its not fair for one person to be so perfect. She can't be perfect.
"I'm sorry, we're blocking your exit"
I stand corrected.
Her voice was tantalizingly soft. Like sliding your hand over delicate velvet.
Wait she said we?
He looked down to find dancing blue eyes filled with playfulness and a hint of harmless mischief staring up at him in wonder. The child's resemblance to the woman who held her hand was was evident, leaving no doubt of their relationship.
"Hey mister is that your car over there?" The little girl asked point at the red Mercedes parked across the street.
"Yes it is"
Her brows furrowed as she looked back at his face.
"Your voice is funny"
Leave it to a child to point out what everyone else won't.
"Emma don't be rude. I'm really sorry about that"
"Its quite alright. Simple childish innocence"
She smiled at him in response. The smile highlighted her ready beautiful face.
Oh dear God, I better get out of here.
He nodded and smiled and stepped aside so they could go past him. He washed as she ushered the little girl into the restaurant greeting everyone who waved at her as she went to find a table.
He let go of the door as he stepped out into the sunny day. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his sunglasses. After he slipped it on he turn to look through the glass door at the woman and her child. At the same time she looked up at him at after sending him a polite smile she looked away.
