Page 79 of Something Like Hail

“That sounds magnificent,”Marcello enthused. “We’ll each have one. Please hurry. I can hardlywait!”

The waiter’s wide smile reappeared. “Okay!I’ll be right back.”

Marcello matched his expression. “Thank you,Felix.”

Noah waited until the waiter was gone beforehe snorted. “Poor kid. He looks like a mouse and his parents namedhim after a cat.”

“He doesn’t resemble arodent at all,” Marcello replied. “The ears, yes, but the rest ofhim is cute as a button. I find him quite endearing. Evenings wouldsurely be richer with someone like him around.”

“I get it,” Noah said. “Iknow why you brought me here and made sure we were sitting in thissection.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.” He took a deepbreath and exhaled again. “I’ve let the job become too routine.When I first started out, I was constantly nervous and desperate toplease, but trust me, I’m still giving my all every night. I’m justnot as naïve anymore. I’d rather be authentic than pretend to beinnocent. If those early clients can’t accept that I’ve changed,then maybe you should send someone else to theminstead.”

“I don’t think it’s yourinnocence they miss,” Marcello said. “They are aware of youroccupation, and the level of experience that comes with it. RatherI suspect it’s the emotion they find absent.”

“That’s not my job! I’mthere to—”

His argument was cut short by the waiterreturning. Felix had their drinks, and sure enough, of pair ofyellow and green citrus slices floated in each. That wasn’t all. Asmall paper umbrella stuck out of the top of each glass. Noah’s waspink.

“How extraordinary!”Marcello raved, looking from his drink to the waiter. “You’re anartist! I don’t mean that figuratively. You must paint in your timeoff. Or do you sculpt? Please, allow me to inspect yourhands.”

Felix laughed bashfully and held out hispalms. “I’m not an artist.”

“Your inspiration must comefrom somewhere,” Marcello continued. “Is it divine? Are you veryreligious?”

“No,” Felix said, wipinghis hands on his apron.

“Love? That must be it.Who’s the lucky fellow?”

Felix laughed again. “Oh my god.”

“See! I knew you werereligious!”

Noah shook his head, fighting down a smileof his own. “You don’t have to answer his questions.”

“I don’t mind,” Felix said,eyes darting to him and away again.

“You’ll regret it thelonger it goes on,” Noah warned.

“Pay him no heed,” Marcellopurred. “We’re just getting to know each other, that’s all. Nowthen, if it isn’t spirituality or romance that inspires you, whatis the source?”

Felix looked like a deer in headlights. Or amouse. “I just like to have fun.”

“Ah,” Marcello said, as ifthis made perfect sense. “Then you are certain to have a happylife. Finding joy in what others might consider superficial is askill that should be taught in schools. How fortunate that you’vemastered this already.”

“Um,” Felix said, startingto squirm. “Have you decided what you’d like to order?”

“Surprise us.” Marcellopaused to take a sip of his soda. “Anyone capable of concoctingsuch a refreshing draught will have no trouble selecting two ofthis establishment’s finest dishes for us. Off you go now! Don’tcome back without those delectable cheese biscuits I adore somuch.”

Felix wisely took this opportunity toflee.

“I would have preferred toorder for myself,” Noah said. “I hate shrimp. Lobster too. Anythingwith shells, actually.”

“I’m sure he picked up onthat. He seems an astute young man.” Marcello reached inside hissuit jacket and pulled out a flask, spiking his drink withouttrying to conceal his actions. When Noah declined the sametreatment, the flask disappeared again. “Isn’t youth invigorating?Just being in the presence of someone so unhindered by roles androutine makes me question my own. As adults, we slowly adopt themost efficient and effective habits to traverse through life, notrealizing how this also restricts us, that instead of choosingeither lemon or lime in our soda, we can have both.”

“Message received,” Noahsaid, looking around to make sure they wouldn’t be interrupted thistime. “You want me to be more like him.”