Bob's Boxes 25 - a June bit of the year

Another bit from Bob's Boxes.

Where is he today?

Nobody seems to know: he doesn’t court such mystery, it’s simply how he operates and it is usually a surprise even for him. The fact that he is now retired makes this less of a problem; when he worked in the school both pupils and staff were constantly baffled but for his children it remains a source of constant frustration.

Today he is sitting in the diner though it wasn’t his intention when he left the apartment but as he crossed the street the smell of fresh brewed coffee and baked cinnamon buns made him stop in the middle of the road. A flower truck swerved, narrowly missing an old lady cycling on the other side and the driver shouted in anger but Loui missed all this and turned to see where the smells were coming from. He had no money in his pockets but he didn’t even take time to reason that he could deal with that later; he just followed his nose, sat down, ate and now he’s talking to the waitress.

“I don’t know how I’m going to pay you, but it was delicious” he replied.

Maybe it was his blue eyes, not startling like some can be but rather with an ability to creep up on you, or maybe it was his voice that retains the innocence of his youth but the waitress’s resolve wavered.

She was not sure of his age; around his eyes was the clear evidence of squinting as well as smiling but he was dressed in a way that could only be described as hip-hop; she noticed the band of his boxers shorts and a feeling she remembered turned over in her stomach.

“Can you give me the recipe?” He rarely cooks so I am not sure why he asked, but there was a genuine concern in his voice.

She was about to answer when she noticed his hands, they were tanned as if he had worked outside all his life and the beginning of liver spots were teasing their way to the surface as if looking for air; on his left hand he wore a gold ring.

“Are you married?” It just slipped out.