“She has some nerve, Claire,” Sebastian said.
Sebastian sat across from me in the booth, his head in the form of a small bird cage, and a pair of perched parakeets acting as his eyes.
“She doesn’t belong here,” he said, the tiny cage door opening and closing as he spoke.
I eyed the woman. She was talking to a waiter who had forks for fingers.
“I’m sorry, ma’am,” he said. “We’re completely full right now, but you’re welcome to wait. Or you can place a takeout order if you prefer.”
“I’d really like to eat here,” she said. “It’s more about the atmosphere than anything else.”
The man nodded. “I’ll let you know when something opens up.”
“Thank you,” she said.
I pondered, a thought immediately coming to mind. I slid to the end of the booth and stood. The bottom half of my body was a bar stool with four legs, so I appeared no different than anyone else here. Except for the mysterious woman.
“Where are you going?” Sebastian asked.
“To talk to her.”
“Why?”
The diner was an unofficial gathering place for people like us. But it wasn’t created for that reason. Whether Sebastian liked it or not, the woman had every right to eat here.
I pursed my lips and walked toward the counter.
“Claire,” he said.
I ignored him as I approached the woman.
“Excuse me,” I said.
The woman turned to me, looking me up and down. Then her lips stretched into a grin.
“I couldn’t help but overhear,” I said. “If you’re waiting on a seat, you’re welcome to sit with me and my husband.”
The woman hesitated. “Are you sure it’s okay?”
“Of course.”
“I’m Melissa,” the woman said, extending a hand.
“Claire,” I replied, grasping her hand and briefly shaking it. “It’s nice to meet you.”
I led Melissa back to the booth, Sebastian’s eyes bulging as we neared.
“This is Melissa,” I said, easing into the empty side of the booth. “She’ll be joining us.” I glanced at Melissa. “This is my husband, Sebastian.”
Melissa took a seat next to me. Much to my disappointment, Sebastian slid out of the booth and got to his feet.
“We were just leaving,” he said. “So, the booth is all yours.”
I watched as Melissa’s eyes went wide, but they weren’t filled with fear. Instead, her face lit up with amazement.
“Are those blue-winged parakeets?” she asked.
Sebastian cleared his throat. “Yes.”
“They give you the most beautiful eyes.”
Sebastian stood there in silence. Surprisingly, he took a seat across from Melissa.
“I suppose we can stay a little longer,” he said. “Assuming you don’t mind.”
Melissa shook her head. “Not at all. I would love your company.”
Sebastian met my gaze, and a feeling of warmth washed over me. It may have taken a compliment to ease his tension, but Sebastian’s gesture still meant the world to me.
(A Slice of Home was inspired by a piece of art titled "Eyes Wide Shut" by Niki McQueen.)
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