How To Write An Immigrant's Short Story: The Old Tennessee Restaurant

Improved Essays
I push open the hefty doors of the old Tennessee Cafe for the thousandth time. The warm aromas of fresh ground coffee beans and baked pastries contrast the sharp winter air outside. As I enter the sunlit building, a wave of guilt flows through me. I scan the scarce crowds and find him sitting in the furthest window booth.
Adjusting my canvas jacket, our eyes meet momentarily and he turns away, I frown but i make my way to the table nonetheless.
“Hey Aiden” I venture cautiously, almost instinctively i touch the old camera hanging from my neck .
“Hi” His curt reply pierces me, I slump over in the seat across from him. He pauses and shoots me an apologetic look through dull, lifeless eyes.
“What can I get you two?” A waiter dressed in blue
…show more content…
“Oh,” It was the waiter’s turn to fumble “R-right away Ma-Sir” Our eyes follow the waiter as he makes his way over to the mean looking chef and promptly leans in asking what on earth a teenager comes into a cafe to ask for fresh fruit for. A stifled giggle from him sends us both into a fit of laughter, eradicating all evidence of the all encompassing gloom only moments ago. I look up and I see the familiar eyes i used to see daily.
“Scoot” He whispers, swinging around the table to take the seat next to me.
“Well Jo? What are you waiting for?”He looks up at me expectantly, I awkwardly reach toward his face unsure of what to do, “The camera, ya dumb”.He gestures at the beautifully stained windows. A grin spreads across my face as i raise my camera. Suddenly the doors to the kitchen swing open and 4 chefs step out, they’re all as lean as the first and they approach us rapidly. The closest one pulls a small orange container from his pocket and tries to give it to me only for Aiden to kick it out of his hand. Confused, i look at him but i see his eyes have changed again, they are filled with fear. My eyes follow the container as it hits the floor, spilling several small white pills. I try to reach for them but find that i can't move my arms. I look up to Aiden only to find that he has disappeared. Instead i am once again in front of old Tennessee Cafe, Like clockwork I push

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