Typical Treatment

It’s busier than usual tonight. The event room is booked out by a

wedding party and the diner is packed. Madi has five tables, which is

overwhelming but worth the money. The crew of waitstaff includes her,

Johnny, Alex (for the event room), and Liam; but with customers and

hosts, it feels like an overfilled moving bus. Madi doesn’t mind though,

less room to ruminate.

Madi’s long near-black hair is slicked into a braid on the top of her head

with wispy pieces left out to frame her face. If you look closely the back

of her neck is red from the pulling but the people like an updo. The

perfect mix of professional and sexual. Her black apron accentuates her

waist, and her black dress-pants hug her hips. She doesn’t feel bad abut

using what she has to her own advantage, if anything she feels bad that

grown men tip in front of their families for it. Curves over kindness for

waitresses.

As she nears a table with a set of parents seated there, Madi overhears

them talk about their child.

“I can’t wait until he turns 18; the real world will be a rude awakening for

him” says the mother.

“I’m sure he’ll be able to tough it out. I’m just glad we stopped at one”

replied the father.

“Ugh imagine feeding two teenage boys, a nightmare” the mother adds.

“Hi there, y’all still doing alright?” Madi interrupts. She isn’t southern but

it gives her a charm to speak like she is.

“Refill dear” answers the father while lifting his glass like it should’ve

gone without saying.

“Of course, sir” Madi says as she quickly grabs the glass to bring to the

bar. As she waves her way through the tables; Luke grabs her waist

tightly, he pulls himself behind her freezing there for a moment. He is

taller than her by quite a few inches. She can smell his expensive

cologne. Finally, he fully passes her by and continues off. Madi stays

still, glass firmly clenched in her hand. She can’t seem to blink. Her eyes

start to sting.

Johnny slides past her without a touch. Each of his hands hold a full tray

of plates. Johnny walks lazily but is not clumsy; he’s a good waiter. He

gets a few feet ahead of Madi before he stops and turns around.

“You good?” He asks.

“Yeah” Madi answers as confidently as she can while planting a fake

smile on her rosy face. Johnny nods and leaves it be, whether he

believed her or not.

Madi gets the father’s refill, dropping it off at his table. As she’s on her

way back to the kitchen, she sees coffee spilt all the way down Luke’s

shirt. Everyone is required to wear a white button-down. Luke’s is now

brown.

“Goddamnit Johnny— you’ve gotta be kidding me” Luke says angrily but

without causing too much of a scene.

“Sorry man, it was an accident” Johnny says while putting his hands up

in defense. Our manager Will walks over.

“Luke go home and grab another shirt. Johnny take his tables until he

gets back” Will orders.

“The tips are still mine though, right?” Luke asks Will.

“Split” Will replies while he walks away. Luke glares at Johnny but goes

to the back to grab his keys. Johnny walks to the kitchen to wash off the

coffee that spilled on his hands. Madi hesitates for a second then

follows him.

“Hey” Johnny says causally as he looks over his shoulder at Madi. She

grabs his shoulder to make him face her then wraps her arms tightly

around his neck; she has to go on her tiptoes to reach it. After a second,

he hugs her back just as tightly. His arms wrapping around her lower

back. He can’t seem to think of what to say but she isn’t waiting for him

to. As she backs down from the hug, she rubs his arm once and walks

away without a word.

“So, you and Johnny are a thing now?” Luke asks Madi when he returns

with an unstained but wrinkled white button-down; he manages to pull it

off though. His dark hair is gelled back, and his complexion is close to

flawless.

“No, why do you say that?” Madi asks in response. She has to look up a

bit to meet his eyes.

“You don’t have to lie about it; I saw you guys in the kitchen” Luke

continues. “That’s why he spilled the coffee right? I didn’t peg Johnny for

the jealous type” He finishes.

“Maybe he spilled the coffee because you’re a jackass who can’t keep

his hands to himself” Madi says then starts to walk away but Luke grabs

her wrist.

“Wanna test that theory?” Luke says into her ear. Madi looks around for

anyone to notice; they don’t.

“Let go” she whispers.

“Or what? Your little man will spill red wine on me next?” He whispers

back. Luke likes this game. Madi wishes it wasn’t mandatory to play. She

pulls her wrist away, only being able to do so because he let her.

Walking over to one of her bigger tables, Madi starts collecting empty

plates. Everyone keeps talking amongst themselves as she pardons her

reaches.

“How did everything taste?” She asks.

“Great, nothing better than getting served a good meal by a pretty little

thing such as yourself” An older man answers.

“Good to hear” Madi is forced to reply. She can’t get mad at someone’s

out of date sexism, right? It was normal back then.

Madi passes Johnny as she’s bringing the stack of plates to the kitchen.

He is nearly the opposite of Luke. Sandy blonde hair not gelled back to

Will’s dismay. The top button of his shirt undone, not because he thinks

it’s attractive but because he said he feels claustrophobic with it all

buttoned up. His pants are a little big for the same reason.

“You get done at ten, right?” Madi asks.

“Yeah, you too?” He asks back.

“Yeah— walk me to my car?” She says while trying to hide her

annoyance at even having to ask.

“Of course” Johnny replies instantly.

“Thanks Johnny.” She says sincerely.

“I’ll go with red wine next time if you want me to.” He whispers as they

both continue on their ways. She laughs.