once upon a time there was a waitress who was an idiot, and this is her story...
first off, i wait tables. i hate my job, and i now truly understand the human condition... despite my being an idiot and all.
waiting tables one night a few months ago you and a friend of yours came in to eat near closing time. to be honest i was rather peeved that i had to take another table that evening and i gave you what could very easily be called crappy service. i dragged my tired self over to your table and checked on the two of you a few times, you seemed distracted and had very little to say to me each time i came by. i just assumed you were peeved at me for being a crap waitress, which, at the time was fully understandable to me. i did notice however you were scribbling feverishly on a napkin, and were making sure i could not see what you were doing, i shrugged it off.
you finished your meals off with dessert, and i was grateful because no one can stay angry at a crap waitress after having sweets. you and your friend left, but on your way out you made it a point to give me the pen you were using and told me you wanted to return it to the other waitress you had borrowed it from, you looked me right in the eye. it seemed odd, but i assumed you had used it to get and/or leave a phone number from or for her. i strolled over to your table to clear it off. my back stiff, my tired feet throbbing, and head pounding i reached the table. there on the table lay the napkin you had so feverishly been scribbling on, i picked it up and realised it was MY portrait on the napkin. you drew my picture on that napkin, with an endearing note about how beautiful i was and how you wished you could see me smile(this was either the sweetest sentiment i have ever had or the greatest pick-up of all time). i felt like a bit of a heel for not being a better waitress, but suddenly i felt like i was floating. it made my night, it made my week, it made just about every hard time that has followed that much easier to stand.
i showed my co-workers proudly, with hands shaking, that napkin, and finally jumped up and down like a school girl because of the giddiness. i looked up and you were outside watching the whole thing and smiling at your accomplishment. i was embarrassed and waved, i was very much overwhelmed with the urge to talk to you, to know who you were but i did not, and you walked away and have been gone ever since.
i've kept that napkin and have taken it out and looked at it through bleary eyes and felt better about myself. i realise that there are some people out there that do indeed have a heart. i have also learned that every once in a while someone can come around from nowhere and remind you that you are special.
my only regret is not being able to thank you, your gesture meant a lot to me. if only i knew who you were.