“You do know him? He’s cute. Anyhow, he wants milk. And fries. I’ll put your dinner in too, if you know what you want.”
“I too-“
“Or I’ll just put in the same thing for you.”
“Fries are good. Add a hamburger. I’ll share it with him.” I knew I needed to eat more than a few bites of the salad I had however many hours earlier.
Kellie smiled, writing it down before rushing off to put it in. I shook my head, making sure everyone was good for a moment.
To make Noah’s drink, I had to be closer to Oscar and Beckett. Both of their drinks were still mostly full since they seemed to be more into talking than drinking. Which was fine with me.
It took me less time to make Noah’s drink compared to Becketts. With a smile, one that wasn’t fake or for the customers to make them think I really wanted to hear their sad story of a life, I walked to where Noah sat.
“Hey, you.” I sat the drink down closer to him than I would anyone else.
“Hi. Sorry. Should I not have come? I’m sorry if I-“
“You’re fine. You’re always welcome here.” I fidgeted in place. Being out here was different. A kind I wasn’t so used to. I liked being behind the half-wall area compared to being out here.
“Okay. Thanks.” Noah took a deep breath. “I...won’t be in your way, right?”
“Absolutely not.” I smiled. “But I need to get back. I’ll sit with you on my break.”
“Oh, that’s fine. I’ll be fine here with my milk.”
“And your fries when they get done.”
“Uh...yeah them too.” He gave me a sheepish look. “I haven’t eaten yet. And the food here smells so good.”
While I should get on him about his eating habits, it wasn’t the place or time. “I got a hamburger we’ll share.”
Noah peaked up at that. Yeah, just like a puppy wanting his treats.
“I’ll be back soon.”
Noah turned his full attention to his milk as I walked away.
Back behind the bar, the little bit of uncertainty melted away. I was back to where I knew I liked. Where no one could touch me if I didn’t want them to.
Of course, being on the other side, no one should touch me either. But still, the fear of someone doing so was always in the back of my head. I liked touch, but only when I knew the person. Not total strangers.
“I’ve never seen you take a drink to someone before,” one of the well-known customers stated. Dave was a man of habit. Always here Saturday nights to have his two beers before he left to go home to his wife. Sometimes, his son would join him, but that hadn’t happened for a few months.
“He’s a friend. For him, I’ll happily serve his drinks. What can I get you tonight? The same as normal?”
“You know it,” Dave said, his gray eyes taking in all the options. “Just one tonight, though. Wife’s needing me to drive her to a book club she’s started attending.”
“Sure thing.”
He kept talking about his wife and his week as I poured the beer. He didn’t stop until I sat the cup in front of him.
After refilling a few others, I made my way back to Oscar once again. Of course, my eyes went towards Noah, who was watching me. Not that there was much else to watch from where he sat. His back was to the TV that had some sort of sports on. The volume wasn’t even on.
“I don’t think I should leave the option of drinks to you again,” Beckett hedged, taking another sip of his drink.
“Not sure if that should be taken as a good or bad thing,” I said, tilting my head.
“This is good,” he dropped his eyes to the drink before returning them back to me. I looked off towards the side, not meeting his gaze. “A little too good.”
