Character Sketch

“What can I get for you?” She eyed the man slouched in the booth. “Hey mister you ok?”

“I’m fine. Coffee and a slice of apple pie.” He grimaced and clutched his stomach. The pain killer wasn’t working. The waitress eyed him, and he tried to smile at her. She recoiled from his expression.

“I’ll be right back with your order.” He nodded his thanks.

“Hey Bozo whatcha doing taking up our booth and our girl?”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me clown man.”

“So help me if you don’t quit bothering my customers I will boot you outta here. Shoo Dwayne.” The waitress didn’t reach his shoulder, yet he hung his head.

“Aww come on Shelly I was only funning with him. Don’t be like that.”

“Dwayne if I have told you once I have told you a million times. No pie for you tonight. Here you go mister. Coffee and a nice slice of apple pie.”

“Shelly you know apple’s my favorite. Please Shelly.”

The waitress waggled her finger at him, the big man sighed and headed for the door. Several other patrons snickered in his direction. A glance from Shelly had them studying their plates with vigor.

“Ma’am that was quite impressive. I haven’t seen a fellow scolded like that since my mama did the same thing to my daddy. You ain’t never seen a more broken hearted feller. Except her specialty was peach cobbler.” He sighed at the memory and tucked into his pie. “Name’s Gavin, pleasure to meet you.”

“Shelly, pleased to meet you. You feeling alright? You look a mite pale.”

“Yes ma’am. Just a little accident with a horse and the ground.”