Page 38 of The Chef

And not directed at me.

Directed at the Dad.

“Get away from her,” Cliff warns the customer, his voice low. A primitive growl that’s full of protection and violence.

Protection for me.

Cliff’s come to my rescue.

He’s stepped into harm’s way for me.

“Who the fuck are you?” the Dad snipes at Cliff, but his attempt at a threat bounces off my boss.

“You’re leaving,” Cliff replies, still holding onto the man’s arm. Cliff’s other hand takes mine in his and guides me safely around behind him. He doesn’t let go of my hand. His fingers interlock around mine.

And I feel secure. Cliff’s protecting me. It’s like nothing can harm me now.

“I said,” barks the customer. “Who the fuck are you?”

“It doesn’t matter who I am, you’re leaving. Now.”

“No,” the Dad replies. “Not until she pays for what she did.”

“She’s not paying for anything.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, really. Now get out of here.”

“What you’re gonna do about it, big man? Huh?”

Cliff stands tall, his broad shoulders squaring off against the egg-shaped bald man. “We could take this outside, but we both know that’ll be pretty devastating. For you, that is.”

The man looks Cliff up and down as if seeing his muscular frame for the first time. I think I see him gulping in terror.

Oh, he’s not going to try and fight Cliff.

“You think you’re so tough, big guy?”

“Don’t you even dare threaten her.”

“She’s just a waitress, why should you care about her?”

“She’s my waitress, and don’t you dare say anything bad about her or there’ll be hell to pay.”

“Look at you, defending her honor or something. You really think you’re her knight in shining armor, don’t you?”

“You really want to take this outside? I’m more than happy to oblige you.”

“Okay, we’re going,” the customer sniffs. “But I’m not coming back here again.”

“Good. You’re not welcome.”

The Dad hurries out of the restaurant like a little crab, completely leaving behind his wife and daughters to follow him on their own without him. The daughters look at us with concerned sympathy, wordlessly apologizing for their Dad’s behavior. I’m more sympathetic for them having to live with such a horrible man.

Once they go, Cliff lets go of my hand and walks away as if nothing happened.

He saved me, but now he’s ignoring me.