[Askoga]: 89.Snippets.Eyes of a Chair

Every week, I eagerly wait with my two friends, for our other three friends. We sit around our table, watching as people come and go. Sometimes we're joined by another person, or maybe a few, but only once a week do our three friends come. Many of our visitors are strangers, but nearly as many are old friends, and as they sit, they sometimes caress my worn curves, smiling fondly.

Today, I wait for them, knowing they'll arrive. Joe was sick last week, and couldn't come, but Benny and Lou talked about him like they had seen him recently. I know that the last time I saw him, his young wife was ill, so maybe he caught her bug. Benny's wife is expecting any day now, and I'm excited to see if he brings news of a little one today. Oh, I do hope so, I'd love to meet his little girl.

Lou walks in first, his business suit immaculate as usual, and he stands beside me for a moment, hand on my back, while he talks to the pretty waitress. She smiles shyly and leaves to get him his usual glass of water, then Lou turns and seats himself, drumming his fingers on the table while he waits for the others.

Joe arrives shortly after, dressed in a worn pair of jeans and a soft flannel shirt. He also lingers for a moment before he sits, grinning at Lou as the shy, curly-haired waitress brings them out their drinks, and a third one for Benny. Two sodas and a water.

The two of them catch up, and I bask in their conversation, coming back to myself only when Lou stands and leaves for the restroom. I realize that Benny is already here, with his pretty young wife and their newborn girl, who is sleeping. I also notice a friend from the next table, brought over to join our group. Usually, the guys don't bring their wives, but I think Benny wanted to show off his little one. He's practically glowing as he talks about her, and her first few days.

Happily, I listen to them talk, catching myself up for the week. They only stay for an hour, because Lou has to be back at work before his lunch break is over, and the hour ends too soon. Benny, too, returns home with his wife, and Joe is left in the end. He moves the fourth chair back to its rightful table, then pays the bill—it was his turn this week—and heads back out, with a laughing promise to return next week.

And as for me, I return to my day as well, the life of a chair.