We’re at a diner in a town that isn’t ours, and the waitress reminds me of someone I used to know. She has black hair and black eyes. She smells like a smoker, has the voice of a smoker. Julian’s dad calls her “Pretty lady” and flirts with her. She ignores him. She pours coffee and says to me,“My, what a fine shade of blue your eyes are. If only you were ten years older.” I don’t know what she means. I’m nervous. I say nothing. She goes back to the kitchen.
She comes back with food. She calls me sweetheart and she calls Julian darling. Sweetheart. Darling. Sweetheart. Darling. Sweetheart. Darling. She reminds me of someone I used to know. I flick a paper ball at Liani’s face and she karate chops it away. The waitress laughs, puts her hand on my shoulder, and I notice her artificial nails. I feel nauseous. She reminds me of someone I used to know. I think, don’t you flinch away from her. Don’t you dare be rude to her. Don’t you dare confuse her for someone you used to know. She goes back to the kitchen.
She brings me a slice of pie I did not order and says, “It’s on the house, sweetheart.” She goes away. I can’t eat. I’m nervous. I look at Julian’s dad. His face tells me he wants to rip me apart. I look away. A half-starved dog trots by outside the window. It’s raining. Across the street is a cemetery. There’s a funeral going on, and all the angel statues are covered in rain drops. This town is somber. I feel strange, I feel terrible, and I don’t want to be here.