My Brother's Best Friend - LGBT, boyXman

29

The next month passed in pretty much the same way; we were having regular sex, David was busy writing lesson plans for the new school year, and I was looking for work everywhere and anywhere.

Finally, a small Italian restaurant agreed to hire me for a trial, and after a week of working my skinny behind off, I got work for four days a week there.

By the time David was back at school in September, I’d been working there for two weeks and was enjoying every moment.

Sure, customers were rude, thought they knew it all, left lousy tips and generally were pig-headed yahoos, but the wages were good.

On my third week working there, though, something happened that made my night miserable.

I’d just started work, having taken orders for my first three tables, when Matt and Leanne came in, and were seated in my corner of the restaurant.

Biting back a sigh, I went across to them, my notepad ready.

“Can I get you any drinks at all?”

Leanne looked up at me for a moment, her expression turning to one of distaste before turning her attention back to Matt.

“A white wine spritzer and an orange juice,” Matt said quietly.

Was it just me, or did he look a bit guilty about the way Leanne looked at me?

“Do you know what you want to eat yet?”

“No.”

“Alright. I’ll be back in a moment with your drinks.”

I went to the bar to make up their drinks before returning to the table with them.

“One lasagne Verdi, and the green salad on the side. And one chicken and pepper calzone with a side of garlic bread.”

I relayed the order to the kitchens and busied myself with the other tables.

I kept my eye on them for the next forty minutes, and as soon as they were finished, I went over to clear the table.

“Would you like any desserts?”

“Just… a piece of fudge cake to share, please.”

When they finally left, I was surprised to find a five-pound note left under one of their glasses as a tip.

I picked up the money and slid it into my waistband with the other tips I’d made.

It was only after I’d finished for the night that I noticed a note was hidden in with Matt's tip.

Dear Triss,

 I need to speak to you. Urgently. I’m sorry for everything I said. I can explain everything to you.

Meet me tomorrow, at two o’clock, in the coffee shop behind the cinema.

Matt.

I read the note three times, before sliding it back into my pocket and heading for the bus station.

What else could he possibly have to say to me? I wondered as the bus rumbled noisily into my village. I hopped down the steps and turned for home, pulling my hood up around my ears as it started to rain.

I spent the rest of the night wondering whether or not to see Matt, and the rest of the time wondering whether or not to tell David about the note.

Finally, I decided not to tell him.

The next afternoon, at two o’clock, I wandered into the coffee shop and bought myself a coffee and a slice of lemon drizzle cake, before settling into a small booth at the back of the shop.