Free 314 by A.R. Wise

all denim, with only a glimpse
of the white t-shirt beneath his buttoned top. It was as if his
entire identity revolved around his job, and even when not at work
he strived to maintain a semblance of the uniform. “Well, Grace, I
got Ray out early today. We’re on our way to our cabin in Forsythe
for a little fishing over spring break. Ray’s been pretty excited
about the trip. He didn’t even want to stop for food, but I told
him I wasn’t hitting the road before stopping in to see our
favorite waitress.”
    “Is that right?” she looked down at
Raymond.
    “Yes ma’am.” Raymond was a sweet boy, but
she wasn’t sure if he was simple-minded like his father or not.
They looked similar, with thick midsections and squat heads, noses
that were pushed in and jowls that jutted forth, but Raymond’s
bright blue eyes were a defining attribute that contrasted his
father’s beady black ones.
    Grace tapped her order pad with a pencil and
smirked at Desmond. “You two aren’t planning on getting into any
trouble, are you? You’d better not be cheating on me with some
strumpet out there, Desmond.” Grace often chided him as if they
were an old married couple. Her husband hated how flirtatious she
was with patrons, but he was half a state away at a trade show and
she needed the tips.
    Both Desmond and Raymond chuckled in an
identical manner. Grace adored these two, and had known them for
years. It was easy for Desmond’s mannerisms to make people uneasy
when they first met him. His disability wasn’t immediately
identifiable, which made people nervous around him. However, given
time he always proved to be a caring, kind man. Nothing was more
important in his life than his son, and he exemplified that with
every waking moment. Grace rarely saw the two separated, and they
were frequent customers at the Salt and Pepper Diner.
    Desmond also had a daughter, who was older
and had fallen in with a bad crowd. She was often a source of angst
for Desmond, and was well known throughout town for her drug habit.
Desmond, who had inherited a large sum when his parents passed, had
bought his daughter a cabin in town to try and keep her near him,
but their relationship had crumbled over recent years. Grace
thought that the way Desmond doted on Raymond was as recompense for
his lost daughter.
    “Don’t worry,” said Desmond. “There’s no one
for me but you, Gracie. Right, Ray?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “All right,” said Grace as she eyed them
both suspiciously. “I’ll take your word for it. But you’d better
keep an eye on him for me.” She pointed the eraser side of her
pencil at Raymond as she talked about Desmond. “He likes to pretend
to be a good boy, but you and I know the truth. Don’t we?”
    Raymond snickered and nodded. “Yes
ma’am.”
    “What’s it going to be today?” asked Grace,
ready to write down their order. “Same as always?”
    Desmond nodded. “I’ll have the Salisbury
steak, and Ray will have the BLT.”
    “Actually,” said Raymond, “could I get the
grilled chicken sandwich?”
    Grace looked over at Desmond, surprised at
Raymond’s order. “Well, heavens to hogs, the boy’s changing things
up on us, Dezy.”
    Desmond looked nervous. “I guess so. His
taste buds must be changing or something.”
    “No,” said Raymond. “I just want to try
something new.”
    “Juan’s going to have to throw the chicken
on the grill, so it might take a few extra minutes,” said Grace.
“I’m happy to have you around as long as you’ll stay, but I know
you’re in a hurry to get fishing.”
    “That’s okay,” said Raymond as he glanced
out the window beside their booth. “We’re too late already. It’s
past three. I want to try something different this time.”
    “You got it, kiddo,” said Grace. “Want fries
with that? Or are you going to throw me for another loop and order
coleslaw?”
    Raymond shook his head and chuckled. “No,
ma’am. Fries would be fine. Thank you.”
    “Sodas for