For scythe-meister-erik -- "Stress"
Title: Stress Recipient: scythe-meister-erik Rating: G Warnings: Nothing Word Count: 940 Summary: Alfred has had a stressful day at work so he goes to a small restaurant and starts up a conversation with a waiter.
Author Notes: I had a lot of fun writing this and I really hope you enjoy it!
After a few minutes a man roughly the same age as Alfred walked up to his table. “Bonjour, I’m Matthew. I’ll be taking your order today. Can I start you off with something to drink?” He asked smiling softly. Matthew had been working at this place for only a few days. Alfred, how came here about twice a week, had never seen Matthew before.
“I’ll have a cola.” Alfred said glancing up at Matthew. Matthew nodded and walked off to get him his drink. Alfred sighed and went back to his menu, trying to cheer himself up. Maybe he’d try to make conversation with the waiter, talking to people always seemed to cheer him up a bit.
Matthew returned to Alfred after a moment. “Here’s your drink sir. Are you ready to order, or do you need more time?” He asked as he sat down the drink. Alfred shook his head.
“I’m ready to order. I’ll just take a burger; everything on it, please.” He said handing Matthew his menu.
“Would you like anything else to go with it?” Matthew asked. Alfred shook his head and Matthew walked off. Alfred gazed into his glass as he waited for his food. He was thinking about work. It seemed to get more and more stressful every week. Matthew noticed the look on Alfred’s face when he was cleaning some tables near him. “Sir?” He asked. “Is everything alright?”
Alfred looked up from his drink quietly. “Yeah man, I’m fine.” He said softly. “Just a bit stressed I guess.”
“May I ask why?”
Alfred sighed. “It’s just my boss… He keeps piling on the work and I can barely keep up.”
Matthew walked over to Alfred. “Sounds like you need a break.”
“Yeah I guess so…” Alfred replied. “Talking helps.” Just then Matthew’s boss walked by, telling Matthew to get back to work. Alfred sighed and went back to staring into his drink. He felt much better, having talked to Matthew. It was strange to him about how just talking to a random stranger, that he didn’t even know the full name of, had relived so much stress.
Alfred waited for a few more minutes before Matthew came back with his food. “Here you are sir. Enjoy your meal.” Matthew said.
“Alfred.”
“I’m sorry? What?”
Alfred looked up and smiled a bit. “You can call me Alfred.”
Matthew nodded. “Well it’s nice to meet you, Alfred.” He said before walking off. Alfred began to eat his food. It was perfect, as always. He wanted to talk to Matthew again, so he took his drink and poured it into a nearby plant.
A few minutes later Matthew returned. “Would you like a refill, Alfred?” He asked remembering to use Alfred’s name. Alfred nodded, just happy to exchange a few words with Matthew. “Would you like anything else while I’m at it?” Matthew asked.
“No thanks dude.” Alfred replied. Matthew nodded and walked off leaving Alfred to himself. Alfred returned to eating and sighed. To be honest he had wanted to start a conversation with Matthew but as soon as he came by, Alfred forgot just about everything. Maybe he could try again when Matthew came back with his drink.
A few minutes later Matthew returned and Alfred forgot just about everything he was going to say. What he didn’t forget seemed to random to bring up. “Dammit.” He whispered to himself after Matthew was out of earshot. “I talked to him earlier. Why is it so hard now?”
Matthew had noticed something different about Alfred the last few times he had walked by his table. It seemed like he was going to say something. Matthew shrugged it off until he walked by Alfred’s table a few minutes after he had refilled his drink. His drink was empty again and the ice was gone just like the time before. “Would you like another refill?” Matthew asked.
“Yes please.” Alfred responded. As Matthew began to walk away with his cup Alfred raised a hand out to stop him.
“Oui?” Matthew asked turning around. Alfred shook his head.
“It’s nothing.” Alfred replied. Deciding it was best not to pry Matthew nodded and walked to the kitchen to refill his drink. By now he knew something was up, but he knew it was best not to get into the customers business.
He returned with Alfred’s drink a few moments later along with the bill. Alfred gave Matthew his credit card and Matthew went to go charge it. While he was away he got an idea.
He returned to Alfred’s table and set the bill there for him to sign. When Alfred pulled it out he noticed a napkin fall out and onto the floor. He picked it up and examined it raising an eyebrow. On the napkin was a phone number and a message that read. “You seemed like you needed to talk. Feel free to call me. My hours are five to eight, Monday though Friday and six to nine on weekends.” Alfred quickly signed the bill, leaving a large tip, and ran home with the napkin. As soon as Matthew got off work he was going to call him and finally have the conversation he was planning the entire night.
Revealed!
Author: pancakesordieyesterday (Amanda)