Page 5 of First Kiss with a Mothman

“I figured. First weekend of the year after all. I’m Tanner, I’ll be your server. What would you like?”

“I’m Arie. And uh, I know you have coffee, but what about in terms of food?”

“We have werebear claws, scones, English muffins with butter or scream cheese. Boo-gels. And uh…”

“A boo-gel with scream cheese sounds superb. I’ll have that and a small coffee.”

“Great! Anything for the, uh…bird on you?”

I snicker and pat Reginald. “Do you have like, sesame seeds?”

“I got you, man. A tray of sesame seeds for your familiar.”

“I guess he is like my familiar, huh?” We share a laugh. “I’ll pay with my meal plan.” I hand Tanner my ID card loaded with campus currency and wait a few moments until he hands it back. Finally, I place it in the same spot in my wallet, next to the carefully folded currency, and then back into the same front pocket location I’ve kept it in since I was a child.

“I can escort you to a table? I’d ask the zombie bus boy, but he really only knows how to clean.”

“That sounds great,” I reply. Tanner is polite enough to guide me by the elbow to a small table not far from the cash register. I take a seat and place Reginald on the surface.

Five minutes later, I hear a chair pull up. “Your coffee, Mr. Arie.”

Tanner places my drink in my hand, and I nod. “Thank you.”

“And your boo-gel is here.” He moves the food to my other hand on the table. “And for the little guy…”

I sense Reginald hop around the table in delight. Tanner is chill, and I’m so glad they’re willing to accommodate my bird buddy.

“Reginald is very pleased to be welcome here.”

“You’re not the first student who’s had a familiar on campus.”

“Well, he’s not quite my familiar.”

“Yeah, I read his scarf. A seeing-eye bird, huh? Never heard of one of those.”

“I get that a lot.”

We share a laugh, and I notice he hasn’t gotten up. “Is it okay if I chat with you?”

“Don’t you have work to do?”

“It’s a slow moment. I’m due for a break. Plus, my boss, the mummy, can cover for me.”

“Wow, a real mummy running the show.” I smile and sip my coffee.

“He’s a lively one. Seth is everyone’s friend. You’ll meet him someday.”

I nearly yelp at the thought of having friends. I crave companionship so badly, and Tanner seems to want to be my friend, so I need to keep it cool. “Looking forward to it.”

We spend a minute eating and drinking in companionable silence. The ambient sounds of someone washing cups fill the area, coupled with the aroma of coffee beans. Meanwhile, I try to come up with a sly way to ask if Tanner is gay, or if he knows any single gay dudes.

Being new to a university dorm means endless possibilities to finally hook up. But first, friends.

“So, are you a senior?” I ask, wiping my mouth.

“I am. Transferred here last year.” I catalogue Tanner’s laid-back, masculine tone of voice. If he’s going to be my friend, I ought to memorize the way he talks.

“Me too! Well, I’m a transfer.”