Gaslight Café

Garret was restless. Sometimes he would drive for hours to clear his head. He liked his car. It was dependable.

Hunger nagged at him.

Though he’d seen the sign before, he’d never stopped there. Tonight, the name intrigued him - The Gaslight Café. A shingle below the lighted sign read ‘More than enough.’

A vintage Model-T Ford in pristine condition stood near the entrance. Its owner, picking up take-out, could exit at any moment, hop in and drive into the past.

Time travel, freeway close. Could be nice. A quiet place to sit and nurse your dreams, he thought.

Garret had always been nostalgic for bygone days, times before his birth. Better times, from another era. Why would anyone leave? The café called to him.

He pulled in and parked.

Inside, the lights were low. Vintage wall sconces looked like old style streetlamps. Thus, the name, Garret thought. Dark paneling absorbed the flickering light from the logs burning in the fireplace. Sarah Vaughn sang ‘Moonlight in Vermont’ in the background.

Couples at nearby tables enjoyed lively conversations and warm laughter. Paintings depicting idealized scenes from the last century covered the walls. The windowless dining room allowed no light from outside. It reminded him of that timeless feel one has when in a casino.

Garret looked around. It’s another world.

The hostess smiled and said, “You’re late tonight. Sorry… someone else snagged your usual table.”

Garret sloughed off her nonsensical comment. He figured she mistook him for someone else. He sat at the table she offered him in view of the bar.

The waiter finished speaking to a couple at nearby table and approached.

He said, “Hey man! Good to see you. Later than usual though.”

Garret looked at him. “You know me? Do I know you?”

“Known you for years. Used to be a regular. Haven’t seen you in a while.”

“I’ve never been here.”

“Oh, right… See? That’s classic. The guy we all know and love. Our own little joke.” He leaned in. “But you need to juice up your memory, man.”

“My memory’s just fine.”

The waiter stifled a laugh. “Okay…”

Garret said, “For instance, I remember you.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, we met about a minute ago. For the first time.”

The waiter stepped back. “Interesting… You’re sure…”

“Absolutely.”

The waiter seemed to accept Garret’s conclusion. “I won’t argue… What can I get you?”

Garret ordered an iced tea.

The waiter smirked. “Oh… tastes change…”

Watching him walk away, Garret thought, Don’t know him… Strange way to angle for a bigger tip.

The waiter served his tea.

Garret said, “I know you don’t believe me. But really. I’ve never been here before.”

The waiter scoffed and shrugged. “You say that every time.” He turned to the bar and called out. “Here that, Max? Our friend says this is his first time here.”

Max laughed. “That’s rich. Right on cue…”

The waiter turned back to Garret. “You crack me up.”

“That’s not my experience.”

“Okay, moving forward. Chef Gerard saw you when you came in. He’s putting together your usual order. That work for you?”

Garret balked. “What is it?”

“Oh, do you want to change it?”

“Do you have…?”

“Specials? Sure. You always go for the steak, but here goes.”

The waiter rattled off four specials. They sounded good but not what he wanted.

Garret said, “I’ll have the steak, medium.”

“As I said. It should be out in a minute.”

The waiter walked back to the kitchen.

When he returned to refresh the tea, Garret ordered a vodka and tonic.

The waiter said, “Ah… Back on track. Right away…”

The waiter went to the bar and spoke to Max. He smiled and nodded.

Something shifted. Garret felt seen. No longer a foreign concept, or empty, home could be inviting and a place of warmth. This café was his first sense of family since the divorce.

He could come here and feel comfortable. Accepted, and at home.

The waiter brought Garret’s drink in record time.

“Just in time, right?”

Garret nodded. “I hear you… What’s your name?”

“I’m Jake.”

Garret raised his glass in a toast. “Glad to meet you, Jake.”

He smiled and nodded. “Always take care of my regulars…” Jake cocked his head, listening. “Good. ‘I’ll be Seeing You…’ That’s your favorite.”

Garret couldn’t fathom how Jake knew. But it was his favorite.

Busy with other customers, Jake excused himself. Garret watched as he chatted them up and laughed with them. It seemed so effortless and real. Jake was made for this job.

Jake returned with Garret’s steak.

“Here you go. Hot plate. How you like it.”

“Smells great!”

“Another drink?”

Garret nodded as he picked up his knife and fork. He sliced a morsel from the steak and raised it to his mouth.

He paused, savoring the aroma. So good. How do they do it?

The flavor made him groan with pleasure. Other diners smiled as they looked over at him.

Jake circled back to Garret with his fresh vodka. “Everything to your liking?”

Nodding, Garret swallowed. “You know it is…”

They laughed.

“This is incredible. I’ve never tasted anything so good.”

“Well, not since the last time you were here… Right?”

“Not since ever, or anywhere…”

“I’m over there, if you need anything.”

Garret concentrated on his dinner, steak, potato and a basket of rolls. Who expects something so mundane to be transformative? But the flavor and aroma made it an immersive experience. Garret lost track of time. He forced himself to slow down, to savor every bite. The word ‘exquisite’ popped into his mind.

Memories welled up from his childhood. He heard himself sob. Did anyone hear?

Wiping his mouth with his napkin, he coughed and quickly dabbed the tears from his face. He gulped his iced tea.

What is this place? Do I have to leave?

Sadly, Garret put the last morsel in his mouth. He laughed to himself with the thought that he was actually grieving the end of this fantastic meal. I’ll never forget you…

Sighing, he set his utensils down.

Jake approached. “You ready for dessert? Tiramisu is your go-to… Coffee? More tea?”

“Coffee. Black. Thanks. That was great.” Garret wanted to draw it out but couldn’t eat another bite.

Jake said, “No mystery… You always order that.”

He turned away.

Garret drank the dregs of his vodka tonic. The ice rattled.

They keep insisting they know me. Do they? How could I forget this place?

He pulled out his wallet.

Jake brought his coffee and the bill. “No rush…”

Tell me about it. Do I have to go? Are you hiring?

Garret watched as his spoon made eddies in the black coffee. Aromatic steam rose.

He hated good-byes. Best way to avoid that is to not leave, he thought.

Jake brought his bill and card back. Garret added the tip and signed the bill.

He couldn’t finish the coffee. Too final.

Garret went to his car. He pulled into traffic.

Won’t go back. Not any time soon…

He thought for a moment.

But the ambience… food was good… Wait. Did I forget…?

Garret found an opening to turn around. He drove back to the café and parked. He sat for a few moments. He killed the engine, got out of his car and went back inside.