“Wipe your mouth,” I tell him.
He grabs a napkin and wipes his mouth, but the chocolate is sticky, so it doesn’t help much.
“How about you go to the bathroom and wash your hands and face?” I point to the bathroom right around the corner. “Make sure you lock the door.”
Noah hops off the stool and heads into the bathroom. I keep an eye on the door the entire time, making sure no one tries going in and that he doesn’t come out and try to leave. Not that I think he would, but I guess you never know what’ll happen.
JJ:
Really? That would be great. I’m starving. Burger and fries?
Me:
How do you want it?
JJ:
Tell them it’s for me. They’ll know.
I wait to get the waitress’s attention, and laugh to myself as I recall JJ asking me if I order with hope… I try to be a little more assertive to get her attention, but I feel weird about it. I don’t want to be rude. Servers deal with a lot of nasty people, and I don’t want to be that person.
“Hi, sorry, can I actually put in an order to go?”
“Sure, honey. What would you like?” Martha asks, pulling out her pad again.
“My friend works at the fire station down the road. JJ? He said—”
She nods. “Got it. Burger with everything on it and fries well done. Give me ten minutes.”
Huh. Okay, then.
JJ:
I’ll give you cash when you get here.
Me:
Absolutely not. Consider it a thank you.
JJ:
Not necessary.
Me:
Oh well. See you soon.
Noah comes trotting out of the bathroom, his face chocolate-free.
“Good job, Noey.”
“Can we go now?”
“We just have to wait for food.”
“Food?” He groans. “But we had milkshakes.”
“It’s for the firefighter.”