I told him right away I was married
When he had tried to flirt.
The diner was almost empty.
It was his time.
He walked in, sat at his usual table.
Looked my way,
Nodded for me to go to him.
There was no one else to serve. Great.
'Do you like music?'
'What can I get you today?'
'I love music,
Listen to it all the time.
I bet you like Eminem; right?'
'Would you like to order?'
'What about movies?'
'I'll come back when you're ready to order.'
'No, wait, I'm ready;
Just wanted to talk a little that's all.'
'I'm working.'
'After work then.'
I started to leave.
'I'll have a coffee and... Let's see.'
I turned back towards him;
Started writing down his order.
'What do you recommend?
Tell me what you like to eat Emily?'
'Everything's frozen, it all tastes the same.'
'You look awful pretty today.'
'I'll get your coffee while you decide.'
'You smell good too;
What's that perfume you got on?'
At the counter, Jo smiled.
'Please Jo.'
'I would if I could,
He's one fine looking man;
But you know he'll only let you wait on him.
I started to remove my name tag.
'It wouldn't work;'
He likes his women wholesome,
Not horny as hell all the time like me.'
I got his coffee; took it over to him.
'Your eyes are incredible;
I've never seen eyes so green.'
He pulled something from his pocket;
Slid it across the table top towards me.
It was a portrait of me.
Green eyes and all.
He was a nauseatingly good artist.
'I drew it for you.'
'I don't want it.'
'What's wrong?'
'I don't want you drawing me.
I want you to stay away from me.'
'I like it when you play hard to get.'
'I'm not playing.'
'Let me see your hand.
I want to put your tip in your hand.
I want to feel you.'
'I don't want a tip.'
'I know what you want.'
He dropped a fifty note on the table.
'You haven't ordered yet.'
'I've had my fill; keep the change.'
'That's too much.'
He stood up. 'Not for you;
You don't come cheap Kiddo.'
'I'll put it in the hospice donation jar.'
He freeze-smiled.
'I always knew you were a giver.'
'Please, can't you just leave me alone?'
His smile defrosted and morphed into psychosis.
'After I'm finished with you,
I'm going to cut those beautiful green eyes
Out of your sockets.
But don't worry.
You won't see a fucking thing.'
'Like a door that keeps revolving
In a half-forgotten dream
Or the ripples from a pebble
Someone tosses in a stream.'
~Bergman, Legrand
