Wall Drawings
Dedicated to Alex Crawford
Beloved by Bette
Wall Drawings
A year after Bette died, John went to their favorite restaurant for breakfast. He chose to go on a weekday when there would be fewer patrons, in case he started to cry.
He saw their booth unoccupied and asked the waitress if he could sit there.
“Sure”, she said.
He declined the menu, saying he would have the 'special'; egg and mushroom cheese omelet with rye toast and a cup of coffee with a couple creamers.
John sat there, his head down and a bit tearful with memories.
“And here you are sir. Is there anything else I can get you?”, the waitress asked.
“This looks great, thank you.”
“Very welcome, sir.”
“Please, call me John.”
“Sure, and my name is Ruth. Enjoy your breakfast, John.”
“Thanks, Ruth.”
While enjoying the food and the humorous memories of the many a breakfast Bette and John had there, he looked around and saw that the place hadn't changed much except for a large number of framed drawings on the beige walls.
He sat there, feeling so proud of Bette's idea.
*
A woman and a little girl came in and sat in a booth opposite his.
“My drawing of Rosy is still there, Mommy.”
The little girl was so excited.
“Yes, honey, Jacob said it would always be there”
“Oh, I remember.”
John couldn't help myself.
“I love your drawing of the cat, it's wonderful.”
Her Mother smiled.
“Thank you, Mister”, the girl said.
“John is my name and what's yours?”
“Beth”
“A beautiful name, Beth. Ah, your waitress is coming. Bon appetit, Beth.”
Beth looked at her Mom and her Mom whispered in her ear.
“You too, John.”
Mom gave her a hug, “Good job, Honey.”
Beth giggled.
*
Jacob, the owner of the restaurant, came over to the table where John was sitting.
“Long time, my friend.”
“Yes and good to be back, Jacob.”
“Anything I...”
“Oh, I know Jacob.”
“Damn, I miss her.”
“Bette thought the world of you, Jacob.”
“And I her, John, if you'll excuse me.”
“Of course.”
Jacob turned and walked away.
Every time John and Bette went there for breakfast, in a flash, Jacob was at their table to say hello and Bette would wish Jacob a 'happy whatever came to her mind' and it would always crack Jacob up, especially hearing her infectious laugh.
“He has a crush on you, Bette.”
“Isn't it wonderful, I'm in love with a 'gay' chef.”
*
A couple of weeks after Bette died, John went to the restaurant. He waited outside to catch Jacob closing up.
“Jacob.”
“Oh, hi John. I'll go back in if Bette wants one of her favorite dishes, you know anything for her.”
John walked over to Jacob and gave him the strongest hug he had in him, knowing, Jacob, a big guy could take it.
“Bette has passed, Jacob.”
Jacob pulled away from John. His face showed such pain and sorrow. He bent over weeping, inconsolable. John stood by the car and waited. A half-hour or so went by and Jacob came over and they grieved, sharing memories.
*
After paying the bill, John went to the counter and waited for Jacob to come over.
“Busy”, John said
“Yeah, the kids have no school today.”
“Ah.”
“By the way, I will be out of wall space soon, thanks to Bette.”
“Well, Jacob, you took her up on her suggestion that the young customers be encouraged to draw something special and you would 'showcase' their drawings on the restaurant walls.”
“Yes, John, I did. And when the paintings started coming in and Bette seeing them taped to the wall, said...”
'Now, Jacob, that won't do. From here on out no drawing will be accepted without being framed.'
“Very good, John. That is what she said and close to how she said it. Bette also said she would come by the next day with the frames and their borders complimenting the colors of the drawings, already on the wall.”
“You know, Jacob, it meant so much to Bette that you asked her to write something on a card and would have copies made, for the waitress to give the parents.”
“And I will tell you John, those few words Bette wrote bring such a smile to their faces.”
“Wonderful to hear Jacob.”
Jacob swallowed hard, then took out a card from his shirt pocket.
“Bravo to Bette's words of encouragement.”
Jacob read from the card.
'We would love to see one of your favorite drawings and we will put the drawing on the wall for everyone to see. Your Mom and Dad will be very proud and you will be so excited that your drawing will be seen by other people and make them happy.'
The End
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