The Chief in the Pancake House- Jenna and Amiya

Chief (sane)

Mona

Setting: Father’s pancake house (Mona is the host, shows him to his table)

I look up from my place behind the counter, to see a large, awkward man lumber into the restaurant. He must be at least 6’8”!!!!!

I walk into the restaurant. There’s a bit of a draft, on this cold winter morning. I go up to the desk, and ask for a table. The young girl leads me to a table in the corner of the restaurant.

I ask him if this is his first time in New York, because he looked a bit lost.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been this far northeast. I’ve been away for quite some time.”

“What have you been doing that has kept you away for so long? By the way, I never introduced myself, but my name is Mona Chang, and I’ll be your waitress for today”

“I’ve been spending my time in the pacific northwest, reconnecting with my family on our reservoir.” It felt weird to be giving away so much personal information about myself to this stranger that I’ve never met before.

I could tell that he was hesitant to tell me, so I laid off for a while on the personal questions. I took his order and then went to the back of the restaurant.

I sat for a moment in silence, observing all that went around me, the interactions that the people were having.. It felt like I was back in the ward, silently being the eyes and ears of the restaurant. I still can’t believe that it’s only been a few mere months since I escaped from the grasp of the Combine. I feel free.

I watched the tall man from a distance as I waited for his food to be made. All of the sudden, I hear my father behind me. I turn around. “Mona, are you working??? Go back and talk to your customers.”

Surprised, I hear Mona being yelled at by a figure that I assume is her father. As she walks away, I can tell that she is very annoyed and embarrassed by what had just happened.

“Your food will be ready as soon as possible, is there anything else I can get for you?” I say, trying to cover up my embarrassment.

“Actually a cup of coffee would be nice.” I look up and make eye contact with her. I give a meek smile, it felt weird to be conversing with Mona, for I haven’t really had this type of interaction with anyone for several months. It’s weird, but it feels like a familiar sense that has been absent from my life for years. I’m starting to welcome this feeling back into my life.

I wanted to talk longer; however, I heard the chef call out my name. I rush back to the kitchen to grab his breakfast, and I hurry back over to his table.

When she placed the freshly made food in front of me, I invited her to sit down with me, seeing as I was the only at the restaurant at the time.

Glad to be relieved of my waitress duties, I sat down and we talked.

It had seemed like no time had past, but by the time I looked at the clock on the wall, it was almost noon. I started rushing, hurriedly moving, she went to go get the bill.  

I got the check for him, while he began packing up the stuff. He began thanking me for noticing him, and talking to him. I turned to go get him a takeout menu.

After she left, I hurriedly left the building.

When I come back to the table, I notice that all of his stuff is gone. I was disappointed, but I hoped he would come back.

I never even learned his name.

I never came back to the pancake house.