A million complaints--
"Waiter, the tea water is freeeeeezing! Young man, this is too salty, can you take some of the salt out? Excuse me, I asked for Sanka, not Nescafe."
And so on and so on...
I passed Mocha Daze -- and the kid said, "Hey, can we stop for an espresso to go?"
"Sure," and as I pulled over to a parking place in front, I noticed Eric's car parked just up the block. Great, I could introduce the kid to my successful Doctor.
"Eric's here-- good, you can meet him."
"Hope he's as hot as the picture in your office," he said. I had a big framed photo of the two of us on vacation in Yosemite one year, a hiking trip that was so treacherous but great -- total relaxation at night under the stars, woods, and wildlife. It was great and the picture showed it, besides-- Eric was dressed real butch! Lumberjack material.
"He looks different in his white jacket. Clean. You'll love it, but don't ask for an exam!"
We walked in and I was surprised not to find Eric at his usual table, a small booth near the back entrance of the coffee-house. Weird, I thought. The place was jam-packed, thank goodness. Hugo's finances lately had been in the toilet.
The kid went to order the coffees and I went to look for Eric. I found Hugo around the side and helped him bus a table, "Hugo, is Eric here? I saw his car outside."
"I think he went to the bathroom... but that was a while ago. Who's the little stud you drove up with?"
"Off, Hugo-- he's new, from Kansas. A cater-waiter from Eclectic Food."
"Ummmmm, they grow 'em big as corn in Kansas, don't they?"
I laughed and went to find the kid. He'd gotten the coffees and found a table near the front window. I sat down, took a big gulp and looked towards the restrooms. Where was Eric?
I didn't want to play 'Mother' and go look for him... so, I decided to wait a bit.
The kid was beginning to bug me -- going on and on about how great L.A. was, how great it was to be working at Eclectic Food, and how great the weather was. The whole time I'm thinking, 'Okay, it's been fifteen minutes. Where's Eric?' I was starting to get nervous. I guess it showed too because the kid finally said, "Go look for him, maybe he's sick or something -- or maybe he isn't even there."
I agreed.
I got up and walked down the hallway to the men's room.
