He walks into the diner, alone, but he looks around.
Blue flannel and jeans, stringy brown hair, all 1990’s.
He sits in a booth by himself
Pushes his silverware out of the way,
And covers his eyes with his finger tips for a time
— Perhaps as respite,
Perhaps meditative.
His right leg bounces, dirty jeans,
Dirty under the nails, dirty tennis shoes.
He has ordered a coffee and a mimosa, but I can’t help think he is too young.
He feels a little better once he gets his food.
His leg stops shaking.
He smiles at a girl passing by, who doesn’t notice him.
“Diner Observation #1” by Vanessa Cate
Artwork: The Undone by Charles Wilkins
The Show Tell Project 