Chapter 2

Let me ask you folks something.  Have you ever had the impression that I was a good people person?  Ha!  It was still shocking as all hell that I had this job.  Because if you guys didn't realize it after all this time, my choice of free time isn't to go chat it up with friends and be openly nice to people.  I was defending myself or purposefully having fun joking around with people.  Teasing them, laughing... but in that, I wasn't much of the sentimental type when it came to strangers. Or sometimes people I knew even.

Strangers to me were an instant bully in my past and it was hard to try to reverse that view of people.  And even still, beyond being cautious with people in general, I haven't changed in the... happy and upbeat department if you get what I mean.  And ladies and genitals, it was a step in the concept of evolution when you realize the job I had now.

"Here is your bill.  I hope you enjoyed your food this evening.  Would you two," I nodded to the father figure of the group and what I assume was his little daughter across from him, "Like a refill on both of your beverages before you leave?" I asked in the most positive voice I could muster.  Like I had to every time I came into work.

Looking down at the family of four, with the mother being the head bitch, I can tell you all... me being nice was much harder tonight.  One reason being the mother of this family I was dealing with tonight.  Usually, it wasn't too bad and people would actually be decent and respect me.  For the most part.  But there were always those people that show decency is disappearing too. 

I get pissed off at people if they are rude to me for no reason.  You guys know that.  It's a little something called having self worth and not letting people walk all over it.  Unfortunately... letting people fuck your self worth is all over the job description of being a waitress.  I seriously can't say why I took this job besides the fact that my coworkers were nice as was my boss. It's the actual people you are dealing with that really show you the lack of humanity people possess.  Especially this bitch of a lady.  That's where trick number one of this job comes in.  To kill them with kindness. You can't get mad and blow up at them like I did my first couple of assholes I served. I quickly learned if they are pissed off, if you just be extra polite, it pisses them off even more because it makes them embarrassed and feel like a fool.  Which helped a ton for making me feel better.

The man looked up to me and offered a nice smile and nodded in response to my offer for refills.  His nice soft blue eyes were framed above by his dark blonde bangs, eyebrows raising when he glanced to his little daughter from across from him.  "Sweetie, you want one?"

"Yeah..." she said in a soft and sweet voice that called for, like usual, another grin.  I nodded to her when she met my eyes with hers.  Her father then glanced to me and nodded, indicating his own drink as well. 

"Okay then, I will be right back," I said in such a sickening polite voice... I hated hearing myself speak.  I just sounded so fake but I had worse jobs.  I'm not kidding either.  In the past years here, I was once a clown's assistant.  No joke.  A clowns assistant whenever the guy was booked for a birthday party.  Yeah.  I know, I can't tell you how shameful that was.  So in comparison, this is better by far.  Even when dealing with bitches like her.  I was just waiting for another insult from her, another complaint, rude remark. 

Standing at the head of their booth in my uniform, I leaned forward and took the little girls almost empty glass of chocolate milk as well as the man's glass of Miller Lite beer.  Thanks to the fact that my uniform is tighter than I would have found comfortable, many men found it quite preferable.  Like the man sitting across from his daughter I noticed.  Sicko couldn't keep his eyes from looking down to my breasts but at least he looked away fast enough when I leaned down and took their drinks.  A ton of guys, later in the evening more when the bar was open, wouldn't shut up when I would serve them food or even walk by.  It's not like I'm dressed like a slut either. 

I wore a white blouse with the restaurant's name - Seymour's - printed on the left side of my shirt near my shoulder in red writing. With that, my uniform also included red shorts that went just above my kneecaps.  With a matching red half apron around my waist that held extra silver wear, my notebook, and pen too.  So honestly, I don't see why something as simple as a regular uniform can empower a guy to think his eyes have freewill to roam.  I can only imagine what it would be like if I wore more make up and kept my hair down.

Stifling a groan and forcing my smile to stay tightly in place, before I could get out of there and refill the drinks, the woman stopped me.  I wasn't surprised. "Okay, excuse me," she said in a deeper voice to me, catching me before I left.  I should have pretended I didn't even hear her.

"Yes?" I smiled, turning and facing her where she was sitting on the end of the booth and across from her son.  Plastered smile at that.  I took an internal breath and waited for whatever it was she wanted now.

"This bill is ridiculous!" she said in an exaggerated voice and I couldn't hide my groan this time.  Breath and don't bitch her out. "I mean, 53 dollars?!  That's a joke," she scoffed in a snotty tone, tossing the bill back on the black tray I delivered it to her on.  Glancing over, I noticed her husband blush and his eyes weren't on me anymore.  But rather looking down embarrassed as their kids watched their mother make a fool of herself.  And watched as I would make her look like an even bigger fool.

"Ma'am," I groaned, having just about enough - even though I knew I needed to kill with kindness.  So I put on the biggest smile I could, bent down slightly to her level to meet her eyes evenly, and spoke in the sweetest voice I could muster. "Because you chose Seymour's and opened your sweet heart to our service, I will be more than willing to give you a tour of our menu which is priced more than reasonably if I dare say so!" I said in the happiest fucking mood possible. I set the father and daughter's cups down and moved the few feet it took to the end of all the booths, grabbed a menu that was in a holder on the end, and quickly returned.  I smiled as I laid open the menu in front of her like a queen and delicately laid out the bill with it. 

"You can see here that the items you ordered included two appetizers - the blooming opinion as well as a basket of fries came to these prices alone," I said, indicating the two appetizers on the menu and underlining the prices with my finger.  I glanced back to her tight and embarrassed face as I continued.  "Both those equal what is on your bill.  Not including four full meals," I said, emphasizing the fact that she didn't order from the kids menu for her children.  And with that, I did the same thing.  I flipped over the menu back and forth until I showed her all the food she ordered, compared the prices for her too.  I even humorously acted to smooth out the edges of the menu for her in exaggeration - which made her feel even worse about it.  "Therefore, your bill is entirely accurate.  If you are unsatisfied and do not find my math to be correct," you can shove it up your anus.... "...You are always welcome to take it up with my manager for the fact that I personally have no control over the prices."

After finished, I actually had a real smile on my face.  Of satisfaction that she felt terrible about what she said and pointed out - and even more so because I felt other people staring at my little show I put on.  Showing her how valuable I found this customer.  Looking to her tight lips, her reddening cheeks, I saw her eyes refused to meet mine. "Thank you," was all she managed to say and no more.  That's what killing with kindness was to me.

"Great," I smiled, overly happy again as I took the menu and tucked it under my arm while I grabbed the two glasses again.  "And I will be right back with both of your drinks," I said to the man and little girl and finally managed to break away from the table. 

I quickly moved back with their drinks in my hand and towards the nearest hall, exhaling deeply.  It was a big enough place to have three different hallways lead to the same destination but I picked the closest one.  Moving along the wooden floors of the establishment, I headed towards the bar area.  Which was set up right across the front doors and in the middle.  My section I usually covered was on the left side of the place among others that worked this area.  I moved up among the scattered tables with the booths on the left and hugging the wall.  Seymour's though also made sure to have little dividers between each part.  Sectioning off the middle from the left and the right side.  Nothing good like a little segregation to welcome the hungry folks in!

At least all was the same no matter the section. The whole place was scattered with different decor that revolved around themes of hunting, deer and other animals, and camouflage.  Whether on the faded red walls or on scattered little tables here and there, it gave a nice warm touch to the place.  Even the bar and the drinks behind it alone were organized in a way to make you want a drink.  Lights hanging low along the whole place, it was a nice set up.  So basically, separate but equal. 

By the time I actually got back their drinks to them, I was relieved I was done with them as I saw they were getting ready to leave and pay their bill - and she didn't make another fuss about it either.  But just as I was walking around to check on my other tables, I caught someone from my side vision that I couldn't ignore. 

He was sitting at one of my round tables that sat four people alone and it made me crack a smile to see him.  Nice blue eyes, sweet enough to entice mine at the moment, they were framed by smooth and long eyebrows that offered up expressions that could make anyone laugh.  With those lips tilting up in a smirk upon our eyes meeting, I looked him over more.  His nice straight brown hair framing his face and with spiked bangs that complemented him.  Wearing a yellow tee-shirt and jeans over his lean body, his hands I noticed were clasped together over the surface of the table.  The whole ensemble made me chuckle and I rolled my eyes at seeing he was here yet again. 

Spencer enjoyed doing this.  He came in often; lately it's been every few days I noticed.  And when he would come in, he would ask to be seated in my section and he liked to tease me in a number of ways.  The main way was usually by ordering my favorite dish - which was most of them to be fair.  Not to mention, he would take every chance he could to snag me for some 'help' with something. Either with needing help deciding what to order, what he should do about this rash he has, or he would ask for personal advice about what he should do for this girl he really likes....  But what can I say?  He had my humor pinned and was really quite sweet.  I had to give in and help him and usually did.  So this made my night a little better.

Hiding my smile as best as I could, I neared him and where he was sitting at the table.  Looking all smug like he was something special.  So I tried my best to not to show any sign that that bastard was affecting me though it was hard.  Especially as I neared him and saw him sit up straighter with an even wider smirk on his face, his eyes nailed into mine.

"What do you want to drink?" I asked, pointedly staring down at him and trying to come off as serious as I could. I even crossed my arms as I gazed at him.  I couldn't hold out for much longer after he spoke up and showed me a disappointed face.

Sighing through his thin lips, he shook his head and glanced up at me.  "I believe that was very rude.  You should approach this costumer like he's a fucking king," he said, gesturing for me to go away in order to walk back and try again with him.

"Not going to happen," I smiled gently as I stared down at him.  "What do you want?"

"Besides you, just a coke.  I'm not eating.  I just came to talk to you."

I raised a brow at him, not understanding but shrugging anyway.  "Okay.  I'll get you that coke.  Did you want to talk somewhere more private like out back? I have a little time I think," I said glancing around to my other tables - two groups of which were leaving theirs since they just finished eating.  "Just promise me you wont rape me.  You know I don't like that," I said, smirking and he laughed at my words.  Shaking his head, he nodded as he started to stand up from the table.

"You got a deal," he said, searching my eyes as I uncrossed my arms and started to back up.

"Good," I scoffed as I began to walk up towards the front where the hall was.  "I'll be right back."

***

After I got Spencer his coke to drink, and we both headed out back behind the building, I noticed it was getting dark.  That was assumed I suppose by the more people that I noticed were starting to drink.  I didn't think it would be this late though to the point of darkness.  But hey, I'm not complaining.  Means my shift is almost done and I get to go home. Time goes by fast when your working on your feet I guess. 

The night was covered with stars and a nice half moon that lit up the back parking lot of the restaurant.  The trash behind us against the building, we stood facing each other with the employee cars on one side, the building and back exit on our other side. And beyond the parking lot were others like it  for other stores and places to eat.  We were downtown after all in the city even though it was a small city to begin with. Out front was awful though.  You had the building facing north with a sidewalk right in front of the parking lot and then the busy street.  I preferred anywhere less busy, even if it meant in back. 

I smiled up to him and standing now, I could see him with more detail, even if dark.  His pale skin made obvious his few freckles he had; a bit strange for a man with his complexion.  Other than that, he was just a 22 year old guy with a nice smile and a soft side to him that could take you over.  But a side that drew us together was the side that held him humor.

That's how we met really - because of our humor.  What can I say?  It was meant to be.  Jackson and I were shopping one day.  And to embarrass him because he was making me mad for some reason, I decided to shout out the words 'cock sucker' in the middle of a store - and loud enough for everyone to hear.  And among everyone was Spencer, who shouted 'cock sucker' back just as loud back.  What could be a better way to meet?

From there, we slowly became friends.  Slowly got closer even more so cautiously.  Until we started testing the waters.  It was quite the experience.  We went on some dates and screwed twice thus far.  It took long enough to reach that point though - and even still I wanted to take things gradually.  I really liked him so I wanted to take my time and not get too serious right away.  But I liked him enough to slowly - snail slowly - start to move towards that between us.  Little did I figure one of those slow steps would be taken even further tonight.

"You come to ask for more girl advice?" I asked, smirking and raising an eyebrow at him.

He chuckled and rolled his eyes at me. "If your offering to give me some advice.  As you know, there is this girl I'm really into.  Beautiful as all hell too. Anyway, I was hoping for some advice on how to get closer to her," he smiled.

I nodded in appreciation of his words.  Tapping my index finger over my lips, pretending to be in thought, I knew this to be another typical conversation starter. It was fun, I won't lie.  Especially because we both knew he was just trying to flatter me for fun and make me laugh. "Hmm... well first, tell me what exactly you mean by beautiful."

He took a minute to think that over, as if trying to consider it.  "Well for starters, her collar bones are sexy as all hell."

This is what I really liked about him.  He knew how to make me laugh and how to pick my mood up.  How to make me smile and I know I can count on him too if I ever needed anything.  I mean, Jackson liked the guy (kind of).  And Jackson doesn't like many people if you guys couldn't tell.  "Yeah?  How so?" I said, smiling and shaking my head at him. Collar bones?  It was brilliant.

"It helps the way she holds herself.  So her shoulders - as well as her calves.  Yeah the calves on this girl too really get me going."

"That's quite the complement.  She must be lucky," I said, laughing at his words harder.

I watched him chuckle with me as he took a step closer to me.  Tilting my head up slightly, with him being just a few inches taller than me, I bit my lip. His lips smoothed out into a gentle smile for me as I felt him slide an arm around my back.  Pressing me closer to him, with his other hand, I felt him raise it and softly cup my cheek with a warm hand since he set his pop on the cement.  He was always warm to me anyway.  And with his nice scent... it was welcoming.  And I can't say I had that before with many people - and only had that once before intimately.  But I couldn't go there now.  I was happy, he was making me laugh, and it was nice.

"She really is," he smiled.  "So, Morgan, I was wondering if you... wanted to have dinner with me again in two days when your off.   I figured we could have a nice dinner at my place this time.  I wanted to cook for you. And since your always bringing me food as my waitress, I wanted to return the favor.  Because that's just how awesome I am," he said, laughing softly.

I was left chuckling softly.  But only as an instinct.  We had sex but both times were in my house.  Where I knew every inch of that place and where I felt safer.  But of course, I wasn't afraid to go to his place even though I never been there before exactly.  It's just like I said though.  Slow and steady.  I wasn't use to this.  I was use to going to work, coming home, eating a ton, going to bed, and hanging out with Jackson.  It's only been recently where me and Spencer started hanging out more too - and that did include dates and dinner.  It didn't have to mean sex this time either exactly.  I was going at my pace and I really respected that about Spencer.  He knew I needed time and took things slow even if he didn't understand the reason.  But he understood and always tried to stay in the boundaries where I am comfortable mainly.  Even now.

I could see that past that nice and warm look of happiness and some humor came a reluctant vibe to even ask.  But I was happy he did.  I wanted to do this.  I could and it wouldn't make me uncomfortable.  I was ready and was it really that big of a deal?  No.  I just need to realized that I can move on and let our relationship progress.  I mean, Luke was moving on  - even more so now than before.  I could too.  This was moving on and deep down, I knew it would be good for me.  It was more romantic than going out to eat in my opinion too.  It was just a strange thing to realize.  This was another step, even if a small one and not too big of a deal I tried convincing myself.

"Um... sure.  But that day, I actually have an appointment with my doctor," I smiled softly in apology. How embarrassing would it be if he knew it was my therapist?  Good god.  "But I'll be free after that besides my work days I think."

His lips perked up and curled into a nice smile.  Nodding, his eyes searched mine as he pressed closer against me.  Offering a small smile myself, he spoke.  "Okay.  We can make plans for then," he said and I nodded. 

"Yeah, maybe next week sometime then," I nodded to him, smiling softly.  And though I was nervous, I was excited.  I liked him and I enjoyed hanging out with him, going on dates, and I did find him attractive, sweet, and funny.  But like I said, he understood I needed to take things slowly.  I just didn't like having things back to back was all too. I needed space as well but regardless, I knew that this was a big step.  Even if it didn't seem like it, it was to me and it made my head spin slightly.

"Good," he said, and I watched as he slowly leaned down.  "Now, I need to leave.  I have this stupid family thing I can't miss out on.  You wouldn't happen to want to come with me would you?" he asked, almost in a hopeful voice.  I didn't want to disappoint him but I was not going to put myself in that place.  Meeting family?  No thank you, not just yet - especially if this was a lot of family. 

I smiled sadly up to him.  "No, I'm sorry.  I think I will need to pass on that.  Thank you though," I said to him.  And in return, he just nodded in understanding.  Something I liked very much about him - even though he knew nothing of my past.  I couldn't tell him anything; wasn't allowed because Albany didn't exist.  Morgan did and that's all he knew and could know. That's something that would bother me, no matter what. I was showing him a lie of myself and my life, even if I was being myself.

"It's fine.  You know I get it.  I'll see you soon then," he smiled and with as close as he was, he tightened his arm slightly around me and brought us even closer.  His lips started nearing mine and I felt his hand not around me slip down and cup my neck, tilting my face up slightly.  And softly, as my heart started to beat a little faster, he pressed his lips against mine and kissed me gently. 

Kissing me as he held me against him, I felt my eyebrows raise instantly at just how sweet it felt and his lips tasted.  I pressed my lips back and up against him and softly just rested a hand on his chest as we kissed gently.  With our lips pressed together, it lasted for a few moments before I broke away and grinned up against him.  I gave him a pointed look that he appeared happy to surrender to in the second that I spoke.

"And when we have dinner... you better prove to me your a good cook.  You know that's a deal breaker if your not," I said, making him laugh softly before we both parted and he paid for his coke.

***

"I should report your ass to the authorities," he said seriously, taking another drink from his beer from beside me. 

Jackson and I were sitting out on his front porch.  It was a nice cement porch, one that was connected to his blue siting two story house. The porch also had a matching blue railing we looked out over. Of the street of the subdivision, of my little white house directly across from his house here, and we looked out into his front yard.  Where there was now a gaping hole me and the neighbor kid, Jacob, dug.  Which I was still proud I did.  And of which Jackson was still bitching about.

From the moment I got home from work, I knew what I needed.  And that wasn't to just call it a night either.  I needed beer and, I'm ashamed to admit it, but someone to talk to and Jackson was always good.  It's not like he was the happiest camper around or the best one to express myself too.  He has a hard shell, a teasing one, a serious one. But when it came down to it, I knew he didn't mind even if he acted like he did.  It might also have something to do with the fact that he is the only one who really knows me, Albany Higgins, and my past. 

So when I got home and pulled into my garage with my little black car, I didn't waste time.  I let Jack out to go to the bathroom, got dressed and out of my uniform too and into comfy sweats which was much more comfortable.  Then I put  my dogs leash on him - because yes, he is still a spaz and will run away at the sight of a bird if I don't watch him carefully.  With that, me and Jack walked across the street to Jackson's house.  I was hungry and wanted a beer.  How depressing does that sound?

Which brings me to now.  On the dudes porch and drinking with him. It was something we did more often than I probably should be proud of.  Getting drunk with my good ol' uncle with Jack laying on the cement before us.   

"I said we were going to tear up your yard!" I said, laughing hard at where he was sitting beside me in one of those reclining seats.  The nice shit.  Jackson's got all the nice shit. And he doesn't even work!  He said this is technically his job - watching over me and helping me through witness protection.  Yeah, what a crock of shit that was!

"You were joking."  He shook his head, rolling his eyes. "You're really something else," he said, looking over to me after he took another swig from the bottle. And shockingly enough, after he said that, he chuckled and smiled softly, looking at me. It's not often you see that smile

"It's just a hole!" I laughed.  "Stop being a big baby over it," I said, leaning back and resting my head on the back of the chair.  Beer in one hand, my other mindlessly played with the stone on my ring tucked into my palm.

He let it go - finally too after a moment.  We sat there quietly, sipping away and looking out over his yard and up at the stars too above.  A pretty night.  Reminded me of the nights at home and surrounded in the woods.  The stars were always there and now here, even in the city they were present.  But eventually, that silence didn't last.  He asked me something, no doubt after eyeing how many beers I already drank.  "Bad night at Seymour's?" he asked in his deep voice.

I groaned.  "Yeah," I said.  "It was bitch after bitch after bitching bastard tonight," I said.  "People are just rude on some days more than others it seems."  Wasn't that the truth?  I didn't understand why people are so mean like that. On their period maybe?  They witnessed a duck fall out of the sky dead?  Did they have something chewing on their ass?  I couldn't say what it was. 

"Ah.  Everyone's an asshole, one way or another," he added in a mutter.

I took another swig of beer, feeling the tingling affect through me.  Sighing, I set it on the cement and sat back, glancing over to Jackson.  His beer in one hand, his other rested on his knee through his black Nike pants.  His gray shirt hugging him, I watched as he looked over and met my eyes.  "Everyone is an asshole," I smirked.

Scoffing slightly at my comment, Jackson shook his head and changed the subject.  "Did Spencer come in today?"

I nodded and simply stated, "Yeah.  He did." I was open to talking about it; that's why I was here in a way partially.  But was it something worth talking about?

Jackson raised an eyebrow over his brown pool of suspicon in his gaze.  His eyes were calculating, interested, and alive strange enough.  Usually he showed uncaring.  But like I said.  With him, it's back and forth.  "I can tell something happened," he pointed out, rolling his eyes and looking back out and over his lawn.

"Nothing did.  He just asked to have dinner again.  Just this time at his place."

"Ah," he said, nodding and smirking slightly.  He looked back over to me.  And just... looked at me.  With a smirk.  And said nothing else.  As if I should already know what he is thinking as he stared at me.  Eyes in mine, he kept that stare up and looked into my eyes.  Into my core and it made my heart jump slightly.

I ended up breaking, laughing.  "What?  Asshole," I said, looking down and flushing gently.  I was happy it was dark though and we were just lit up from the moon and street lights that cast a mysterious look.  As in how his eyes seemed to become more shadowed.  Hopefully he couldn't see my face well. 

"You know what," he said in an annoyed voice, scoffing in his deep voice.  Watching him, he took a deep breath with his straight posture and body and actually slumped down a bit, as if getting comfortable. 

"Whatever.  It's no big deal.  Just dinner at his place."

"It's not a big deal.  To you it is though," he said.  "Therefore, it's a big deal.  Asshole," he said, making me laugh and smile at his words.  To think he actually made me sound important for once.  He personally didn't find dinner at his house to be that big of an event or much of a step.  But he was basically saying it was a big deal if I felt as if it was. 

I tried hiding my smile and shook my head.  "You keep talking like that, I'll have to assume you give a fuck."  He laughed at my words, as did I and we watched as a car passed by.  I noticed just at the sight of the car, Jack's tail started to wag.  My little buddy always made me grin.  "Silly Jack," I said, bending down and rubbing his back of soft fur, making his tail wag again as he continued looking over over the yard. 

"We don't need you thinking I care.  You double asshole," he said, running a hand up through his already combed back hair, making me scoff and take another drink.