The Waiter by Bradleigh Collins (bill gates books recommendations .txt) 📕

a bottle of scotch they’d been saving for decades and shared it with him.”

Josh got in the front with his dad and The Waiter sat in the back next to me. We left the airport and soon we were headed west on I20. I was admiring Katie’s new Coach watch that Josh gave her for Christmas.

“He says I still have one more present coming that was on back order,” Katie said. “But I told him he’d already given me enough.”

“Oh yeah, I know what that is. I’m the one that told him it would be the perfect Christmas gift for you.”

“Any hints?”

“No. Well, only that it’s very you. Very Katie.”

The guys quickly became immersed in conversation about football.

“Did you play college ball son?” Uncle Lewis asked, looking at The Waiter in the rear-view mirror. “You’re built like a quarterback.”

“No sir,” The Waiter replied. “I played hockey at Boston College.”

“Hockey? Ain’t that just gladiators on ice?”

The Waiter laughed. “Something like that.”

“You should have seen him trying to teach me to ice skate last night.”

“Yeah, I took her out for a little drag around the Rockefeller rink.”

“Sammy’s about as graceful as her mother. And her mother’s about as graceful as a turkey.”

“Uncle Lewis, I can’t even imagine what my mom had to deal with growing up with you. Bless her heart.”

“Bless her heart? I made her tough. I certainly wouldn’t make fun of your mother today. She’d kick my ass.”

When we got to my house, the rest of our extended family was already there. Aunt Cheryl came running out of the house like Paul Revere screaming, “The New Yorkers are here! The New Yorkers are here!” Both Katie and The Waiter seemed amused.

Once inside, introductions were made all around and my mom greeted The Waiter with a big smile and an even bigger hug.

“It was so nice of your family to let us steal you away on Christmas Day.”

“Oh, they’re in Italy for Christmas this year,” he replied.

“And you came to Douglasville, Georgia instead? Bless your little heart.”

“Oh, I have to work next week and I wanted to spend the holidays with Sam, anyway.”

My mom smiled. “Well, aren’t you just the sweetest? Y’all must be starving. Come on and get something to eat.”

The traditional Christmas Day spread was lined up along the dining room table. Ham, turkey, stuffing, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, and every type of pie and cake you could possibly imagine.

The Waiter, Josh, Katie and I piled some food on our plates and sat down at the kitchen table.

“You want some iced tea, hon?” My Aunt Gladys - ever the flirt - asked The Waiter, handing him a glass.

“Thank you,” he replied. She winked at me approvingly.

“There’s like four cups of sugar in that,” I said to The Waiter. He took a sip.

“Wow! That’s like drinking maple syrup.”

“I’ll get you some water. Katie, do you want some water?”

“No, I’ll take the tea,” she said laughing.

My sister Leigh grabbed me by the arm as I was getting The Waiter some water and pulled me into the dining room.

“He is so hot. Oh my god, he’s so hot.”

“Isn’t he?”

“And that New York accent,” she said. “I would listen to him to read the phone book. Or the Bible.”

I laughed. “Hey, how is Mom doing? I was worried about how she would handle the holidays this year without Dad.”

“She’s been pretty good, actually. I mean, I’m sure she’s a little sad. We all are. But having the family here helps. And she’s been so excited about meeting your new beau.”

A couple of hours later, we were all packed tightly in the living room opening gifts. Josh was playing Santa Claus and handing out the packages. The Waiter, Katie and I were sitting on the floor, which was covered with wrapping paper, boxes, bows and presents. My mom and Aunt Cheryl made sure that there were plenty of gifts for both The Waiter and Katie.

“Your family is amazing,” Katie said. “They’re so funny and welcoming.”

“Welcoming, yes. Welcoming you to the insanity.”

Katie laughed. Then the phone rang.

“I’ll get it!” My eight-year-old niece Alexis ran into the kitchen. My mom was in the process of opening a huge box from my sister that contained a new comforter.

“It’s for you, Aunt Sam,” Alexis said as she came back into the living room.

“It’s probably Dana.” I started to get up. “She and Simon are coming over later.”

“No, it’s Uncle Dalton,” Alexis replied loudly.

Suddenly all the joy was sucked out of the room. Everyone was just sitting there, staring at me, including The Waiter. Dalton had thrown a virtual hand grenade right into the middle of my family’s Christmas celebration. Katie grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight.

“Lexie, go tell him I’m not here.”

“But that would be lying, Aunt Sam.”

I felt like a toad. There I was, asking my sweet little niece to lie for me in front of my entire family because my dysfunctional relationship was fucking up our holiday.

“You’re right, Lexie. I’m sorry.” I started to get up to go answer the phone.

“Sit down, Sammy.” My mom stood up and walked towards the kitchen. “I’ll handle this.”

I breathed a sigh of relief as Josh quickly got the festivities back on track. “This present is to Braydon from Grandma!” he said excitedly, handing a large package over to my nephew.

I leaned into The Waiter. “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he said, planting a kiss on my forehead. “Your mom is so badass. I love her.”

“She loves you too. Obviously.”

After all the packages were open, it was time for dessert. And time for the inquisition.

“So,” Aunt Gladys said. “How long have y’all been dating?”

“Four months.”

“Josh, how bout you and Katie?”

“Same.”

“We met the same weekend, Aunt Gladys,” I said.

“Well, you all just make such lovely couples. Is there gonna be a wedding anytime soon?”

“Actually, yes,” Josh replied. “On Friday.”

“What?” She was shocked. “Where?”

“Our friends are getting married in New York on New Year’s Eve,” I said. “We’re all going to the wedding.”

“Well then, I’m guessing you two are gonna