The Anxious Waiter
And I watch as Joel gets up and walks out of the café and doesn’t look back.
I flinch involuntarily as an awkward cough from beside me brings me back to reality.
Standing in front of me is a waiter holding a strawberry milkshake. That must be Joel’s drink.
The waiter, whose nametag red “Adrien”, looks like he would rather be anywhere else and,
after the catastrophe that just took place less than a minute ago, I can wholeheartedly
relate to.
He has black hair that clearly hasn’t been cut in a while. His eyes are darting around, trying
not to make eye contact. The pale hand that wasn’t holding the milkshake was tugging at
the threads at the bottom of his apron like he was trying to unravel it but was unsuccessful.
He reminds me of Mark’s favourite character in a superhero cartoon he watches, an anxious
mess that could collapse at any moment. Adrien clearly fits this description.
He just stands there waiting for me to say something but I’m really not in the mood. I think
he gets that and he starts talking, sounding like a mouse if it decided to whisper,
‘Hey Cat, this is, um …, this is Joel’s, uh, Joel’s drink.’ He sighs with relief, clearly happy to
finish the sentence. I almost chuckle at the obvious relief before I realise something,
‘How did you know our names?’ To be honest I feel kinda bad for asking that when he
flinches and instantly starts explaining.
‘I’m, uh, I’m in your English class? Yeah your English class. I sit, um, I sit at the back of the
room. Next to, uh, um, Bill.’ That’s when I recognise him. He’s in the back of the class in the
corner and gets straight A’s. He’s so quiet so nobody really notices him. Adrien seems
panicked and like he might start having a panic attack so I say the first thing I can think of to
calm him down,
‘I remember you now. You’re good friends with Elena from my Science class.’ He seems to
calm a little, taking deep breaths, so I keep talking, ‘Sorry I didn’t recognise you. Elena talks
about you all the time.’ Adrien smiles softly before saying,
‘Don’t worry about it, sorry for panicking. Just, where do I put the drink?’ It’s my turn to
flinch because I know Joel isn’t coming back any time soon. Adrien clearly realises this and,
while rocking from foot to foot, asks, ‘Do you…, uh, want to explain, I mean talk about it?
My break’s about to start.’ I stare at him for a moment. It’s obviously taking a lot of effort to
as this and when I think about I could use someone to talk to.
‘Yes please,’ I say and smile. Adrien awkwardly smiles back and goes to the back room to do
something, probably ask for his break. Not too long after, he comes back and sits across
from me. He is picking at his fingers, the skin around his nails, and after a moment of silence
he squeaks out,
‘So what’s wrong?’ The floodgates open and I spill everything. I spend so long rambling
about what I’ve done wrong, my new and unnecessary feelings for Joel, and how my home
life is so completely messed up. Adrien sits there the whole time listening, occasionally
nodding his head or responding to something I said. I can’t help but cry as my rant ends and
Adrien awkwardly walked to my side of the table and gave me a side hug, the table getting
in the way, and says,
‘He’ll forgive you. Remember to breathe. In then out, in then out.’ Soon the tears streaming
down my face slow to a stop. I manage to say,
‘Thanks so much, Adrien.’ He smiles at me, leaving the side hug and says,
‘Don’t worry about it Cat, glad to help.’ He looks behind him and I notice the barista is
waving a finger in a “come here” motion for him to come back and gesturing at the crowded
tables. ‘I have to work now. Joel’s going to move on, it’s all just a misunderstanding.’ I nod
and he walks away with a small wave. I can hear him muttering something about a therapist
and his next session as he leaves. Now I’m sitting in a booth alone again but this time I feel a
bit better.
Beth Tuffley