Sal's

When George walked into "Sal's", he had no idea that he would come out with more than when he entered.

The sign had drawn him:

If you're after no-nonsense food, come in. If you want it stacked just so with leaves on top, come in but leave your expectations on the doorstep.

On the doorstep was a metal bucket, a brown label saying "EXPECTATIONS" attached to its handle. It was empty except for a chewed piece of gum, teeth marks still visible. Charmed by the bucket's sign, he reached in to remove the gum with a tissue and deposited it in a nearby dog poo bin.

Straightening up, he entered the café.

*

It was bustling! When he'd made the decision to go for breakfast, he had envisioned somewhere sedate with a waiter and a folded napkin. This was starkly different but the smell of the food was good and his stomach let out a huge growl.

He'd not had an appetite since Anita left. He'd lived on cream crackers with cheese occasionally. Eventually, after months passed, he realised he needed to get a grip, or fail.

He'd felt brave today. He hoped it would last.

He ordered a breakfast and headed to a table to wait.

*

The food was good fodder. No-nonsense.

He felt compelled to thank Sal and asked to speak to her.

"That was a delicious breakfast. Thank you," he said to the woman in the apron, buxom, a little younger than him. He was struck by the warmth of her presence.

"You are welcome!" she twinkled at him and he smiled in response.

"I will come again," he said and put coins in the tip jar.

She leaned forward and with a napkin, rubbed his cheek, muttering "Egg" but he didn't flinch. It felt a very natural thing for her to do.

"You see you do," and her eyebrow and tone raise made him say his name, "George."

"I'll look forward to it, George," Sal replied, placing her hand over his, and holding his eye before sashaying into the kitchen.

Heart racing, George knew his expectations would never be left on that doorstep and that they would certainly never fit into that bucket.

***

366 words

A piece that accompanies yesterday's effort really. You can check that out here:

Thought I ought to give George another try and show a different perspective.

Thanks for stopping by! If you do read this, please leave a comment as I love to interact with my readers.

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