your new friend

the waiter
introduces himself
as Charlie with an
ie, not a y.
he's all teeth
and enthusiasm.
answering and asking
questions
about you and
the weather before
you speak.
you don't want
or have room in
your life for
a new friend, but
apparently you
have one.
he tells you
the specials,
the appetizer that
he absolutely
loves, and his
favorite entrée,
the drunken rib eye.
this makes him wink
for some reason.
you nod and nod
some more
staring into
the dark menu
waiting for Charlie
to stop talking, but
he needs to tell
you about the desserts
first.
they are all amazing
he explains tapping
his flat twenty three
year old boys belly.
finally he puts his
hands on his hips
and says, so what'll
it be my friend.
vodka you say.
a tall vodka with
tonic, and a wedge
of lime.
pour with a heavy hand.