You're working like always
going about your shift

taking care of patrons
with the fake smiles
and even the laughs
that awards are given for...

everything is clicking.

You take mental notes
on each table as you go along

and without fail
there is always one person
at each table

you just do not
want to pay the bill.

It's the guy
who has had everything go wrong
just for him
while
everyone else at the table
is having a blast.

Maybe it's the woman
so demanding
that nothing could ever
begin to please her.

Or the person
you made a crack on
for whatever reason
and everyone laughed
except
that person.

Every once in a while
in the bottom of the ninth
with
two on
two outs
losing by one

and the person
who picks up the check
is
the one
the only

the one you didn't want to pay the bill

and you strike out.

Maybe the heating bill
will pay itself this month.

03/11/2009

Posted on 03/11/2009
Copyright © 2026 Jeffrey Parren