Too Good to Be Wrong

When two months had passed, April started to get back into the flow of living again. The death of Julia was fading. Even though she visited her grave regularly, she could no longer warrant being off work with emotional stress. The days of working in the supermarket were long gone. She went back to cooking in her kitchen, planning days out, and she even went to the movies the other night just to do something with her time.

She was putting her life back together little by little since losing her best friend, but Henry’s absence really hurt. The love she felt for him never once died inside her. She’d be walking around the city convinced she saw him with other women.

“April, Antonio is trying to get your attention,” Donald, the barman said.

Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the host was trying to flag her down. Crap. She’d been so lost in her own little world that she didn’t even see any of the new customers coming in.

“Sorry,” she said, approaching Antonio.

“Never mind, don’t let it happen again. Marcel has a friend in tonight. He wants him treated with respect and proper care.”

“Why’s he giving me the table? I thought Rachel got the good tables.”

Rachel was another of the waitressing staff who’d been there a little longer than April and knew what Marcel wanted.

“Marcel said it’s your table and your time to shine. I’d do what he says.” Antonio handed her the menus and pointed in the direction of the table.

You can do this. This job is not hard. You’ve just got to keep your wits about you, smile, and pretend nothing is wrong.

“Good evening. I’m April, and I’ll be your waitress for this evening,” she said, smiling at the table. The smile on her face froze when she saw Henry sat on one side of the table. She had already seen the blonde woman with the fake tits and heavily made up face sitting opposite him.

“April?” Henry asked, frowning.

“It’s good to see you, Henry.” She gave them both their menus and continued to smile. Holding her hands in front of her she kept up the act by telling them about the specials. “Now, is there anything I can get you?”

“No thanks, honey. We’ll call you when we need you,” the fake blonde said, taking over.

Nodding her head, April turned away without looking at Henry. This had to be the hardest thing she’d ever done in her life. She went about checking her tables to make sure everyone was happy.

By the time she finished checking on her other customers, Henry was waiting.

“We’d both like your house special red wine,” he said. “Tell Marcel I want a word with him.”

Taking the drinks menu from him, she nodded, feeling a little sick. Was he going to tell Marcel to fire her?

“I’ll get your drinks and get Marcel.”

She told Donald the order then headed back to the kitchen.

“April, my beauty, why are you back here without an order?” Marcel asked.

“He asked to speak with you.”

Marcel glanced up from his fire filled saucepan to her. “What?”

“Your special guest asked me to get you. He wants a word.” Her palms were so sweaty with nerves. She actually liked the job more than anything. April got to be around food, see how the restaurant worked, and also she got the chance to have some semblance of a life.

“Okay, tell him I’ll be right out.”

“Sure, sir.”

She walked out, taking the red wine glasses and expertly carrying them. “Here is your house special red wine. Marcel will be out shortly, and please let me know when you’re ready to order.”

Antonio had already supplied the menus, so she didn’t have to worry about them. Ten minutes passed and she watched Marcel go to Henry’s table. The two men moved away out of her sight.

“Are you okay?” Donald asked.

“Yeah, I’m probably going to lose my job.”

She tapped her fingers on the counter watching the fake blonde primp her hair as if she knew what she was doing.

Five minutes later Marcel pulled her aside. “I want you to go back to my office.”

“Am I fired?” she asked, feeling the tears fill her eyes.

“No, sweet girl, you’re not fired.” He gave her a smile, which didn’t help her mood. His smile scared her even more.

“I love this job.” He escorted her to his office as she spewed out all the reasons why she loved this job.

“Stop worrying.” Marcel opened his office door and pushed her inside. “You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

The door closed without him even entering the office. Henry leaned on the desk, waiting for her.