Mario’s

“Welcome to Mario’s. My name is Alex, and I’ll be your server today. Our specials today are the fettuccine alfredo and the spanakopita. Can I get you something to drink to start?”

The couple each ordered a beer from a local brewery, one with an ironic name. Alex never let on how much he resented his job, how much he wished he could just move on. We can time he said those words with a smile, he felt a piece of his soul die.

But smile he did. It was better for tips if he always had a big smile on his face. Nobody tipped depressed waiters. But upbeat, happy waiters? They could make their student loan payments.

Mario’s wasn’t a bad place to work. Mario himself, although he wasn’t around much anymore now that he was trying to retire, had always been a good boss. In fact, in the hospitality industry, a job at Mario’s was sought after.

No, it wasn’t that Alex hated Mario’s. He just hated being a waiter.

Four years be studied political science, only to land where he was now. He had excelled in school, but when he graduated he discovered that his competition for employment didn’t just have a bachelor degree, but masters and PhDs! By then Alex was tapped out of savings, and up to his eyeballs in debt.

And so he worked at Mario’s. To be honest, he was probably clearing more than he would had he gotten an entry level job on his field, but that was cold comfort. He still had ambition, but it was now tempered by reality. One day, perhaps, Alex would be able to get back to school. For now, he would have to be satisfied working as a waiter, and volunteering for causes that he was passionate about on weekends.

He delivered the beers to the couple and asked if they were ready to order. Of course they weren’t. Almost nobody is ready at first. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, he informed them that he would give them a couple minutes. His gaze lingered a bit longer as he left. There was something familiar about this couple.

The woman, more specifically. She was wearing an fabulous red dress that left little to the imagination. Whoever her date was, by the looks of his slouched shoulders and wrinkled shirt, he had won the lottery. It wasn’t just her beauty that drew Alex’s eye, though. He knew her from somewhere!

Maybe she was one of Ken’s friends. Ever since Ken and Alex had made their relationship Facebook official, Ken had paraded friend after friend through their apartment, making introductions, informing Alex how important each friend was. Honestly. Who has that many friends? How did he keep them all straight?

Well, not straight exactly.

Alex chuckled at the joke as he leaned on the counter by the drink machine. Peaking around the corner, the couple were deep in conversation. The man was blushing, something Alex didn’t see every day, while the woman was reaching across the table, holding the man’s hands in her own, most of her breasts on display for anyone on that side of the restaurant.

No, she wasn’t one of Ken’s friends. This woman was someone who would have stood out. Was she someone from school? Alex didn’t think so. She looked to be a few years older than Alex, and most of the women in his classes were his age or younger.

Pride! Of course! She was from the Pride Parade organizing committee! She worked at the library. What was her name… Jessica? Jennifer? Jasmine!

Jasmine Brown from the Pride Parade committee. Alex felt proud. A small accomplishment during an otherwise unremarkable day at a job he resented. She was married, wasn’t she? Kami, the runner. Always bragging about her times, trying to get everyone to join her on her runs.

Wait a second. Jasmine was a lesbian! Alex looked closer at the man she was sitting with. He definitely wasn’t a woman. He focussed on his face to see if he knew him as well. As he did, though, something changed. It felt as if something clicked into place, a piece of the machinery of his brain that hadn’t quite engaged. Alex understood so much more clearly.

Of course Jasmine was a lesbian! She was gay as the day is long! No wonder she was out dating this guy! It only made sense. In fact, seeing these two together was the highlight of Alex’s day! It’s not often you see a couple that is such a perfect match. It kind of made Alex believe it fate, in true love, you know, fairy tale stuff.

From what Alex remembered, Jasmine and Kami had been a happy couple. It was a bit sad to think that their relationship would end, but it couldn’t compare to this. This guy was the perfect match for a lesbian like Jasmine. Maybe Kami could get a piece of him, too! That would sure take the edge off of the breakup!

Pulling out his phone, he snapped a picture of the pair. He didn’t have Kami’s contact info, but he was sure that someone on the committee would. Once he did, he could count it as his good deed for the day. He went into his contact list and sent the picture to a few committee members that he knew, asking if anyone could share Kami’s numbers. Once they saw the picture, it would be obvious why. He felt like an old fashioned village matchmaker!

With renewed vigour, Alex approached the table that held the perfect couple. He wouldn’t let on that he knew Jasmine. Let her have her perfect date. No need to impose himself on the pair, except to take their order. As he approached their table, Alex could feel his phone buzzing in his pocket. Good! He bet he was getting responses to his query already. Soon enough he’d be part of helping make someone’s day so much better, maybe even their whole life. Maybe this job wasn’t so bad, after all.

“Have you had enough time to decide?” He asked with a grin, this time genuine.