Page 11 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

They both giggle.

Colin pops his head through the swinging door. “Jamie, you’re up, table 14.” Then disappearing back to his podium.

Jamie pushes past the doors and out to the dining area to greet the silver-haired couple. “Hi there. I’m James. I’ll be your server; can I get you started with water? Some drinks?” He hands each of them a menu he’d scooped up, passing the server’s station.

“Water would be great.” The gentleman opens his menu.

“Coffees too please.” The woman adds.

“I’ll be right back.” Jaime saunters away, behind the bar.

The shift drags through the day and afternoon. Tips are good for a post summer Wednesday. Customers stroll in as others leave, keeping it steady but relaxed with plenty of down time.

Eli, the fresh out of high school bus boy and Molly, Jamie’s proud poly-pan work wife both arrive at 5 for the dinner shift.

Jamie grabs Molly and pulls her out to the back alley just after she punches in. They’d both started working at Truffle the same day 5 years ago, so had formed the closest bond of all the staff. She’s 28 with bleached white, blonde streaks contrasting dark brown hair. Big blue eyes, fuchsia lipstick to match the pig logo and a marilyn-esque body that men, women, and everyone in between swoon over.

Sweeping her hair up and twisting it into a messy knot atop her head, “What’s up?”

Jamie takes a deep breath. “So I’ve got to tell you something. I have to tell someone!” One arm folds across his body, tucking under the elbow of his other arm raising a hand up to cover his eyes so he can say the words out loud. “I hooked up with a rando yesterday.” Big exhale. “It just happened.”

“What? Where?” Her jaw dropped and her big eyes widened more.

“I went for a hike…”

“Oh my god! The Sanctuary?” Like she could predict what he was about to tell. Apparently, everyone knows about the Sanctuary.

Pausing, “Yes!”

She slaps his shoulder. “James Michael Carter!” Her cheeks lift into a gaping smile. “You whore!”

“Shhh.” Laughing, “I know!”

“Was he hot? Like, what happened? This is wild!”

“He was so hot.” Fanning himself with both hands. “It just happened! He messaged me on Gaydr but was already just around the corner from where I was standing.” Pressing the heel of his palm into his forehead and twisting fingers in his hair. His other hand, diving into the apron pocket for no reason. “He walked up to me, said hello and the next thing I know, we were blowing each other behind a tree.”

Molly is too stunned to speak.

“It was insane!” He breaks the pause. “But THEN, the fucker blocked me!”

Her face burns red, “he what?” Her nose wrinkles. “You gays are crazy!” She thinks for a moment, “had you showered?”

“Of course!” He is almost insulted. “I have no idea what I did wrong? He kissed me twice and said it was amazing. Then, just walked off.” Pushing twisted fringe off his forehead. “When I got home, he had already blocked me!”

Colin pushes the door open, almost knocking Molly off her feet. “Tables 7 and 13.” The door closes itself.

“To be continued!” She establishes. Jabbing his chest with a black, filed to a point fingernail.

He grimaces and rubs the spot. “Ow.”

They make their way through the kitchen, past the double doors into the dining room. Splitting in opposite directions to greet the guests seated in their designated sections.

Business picks up as the evening rolls on. Just enough that they can’t stop to chat more. The locals are getting out of work and stopping in for dinner. It makes the hours fly by.

At 10:29, when the dining room is finally empty and although still half an hour to the posted closing time, Molly rushes the front doors to lock them. Scurrying to Jamie’s side as he’s wiping down the last table to clear his section. “Did you get his name?” She speaks too loudly.

Colin, catching Molly’s enthusiasm, “Who?” He noses in.

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