The Hidden Alpha

Chapter 3: The Old Man And His Grandson

WHEN I arrived at the diner, the breakfast crowd was about to dissipate, so I was able to rest for a while before I had to start my shift. While drinking coffee, Pearl asked how Carmela was. Nothing much has changed, and she mentioned that she will be visiting her later after lunch. 

Today is a Wednesday, and for some reason, it’s the slowest day of the week, so it would be okay for me to be left alone. The other waitress scheduled for the day is off today, and Pearl said she didn’t agree to work overtime today. Pearl mentioned that she’s putting up a ‘now hiring’ sign outside the diner so she asked me to be patient until she can hire a part-timer. I smiled and told Pearl it’s okay. I can handle it.

As I was bussing the tables, I was surprised to see Leon, the old man sitting in one of the tables. I don’t usually talk to him, and our interaction is limited to “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” “Good evening,” or “Can I get you anything else?” Pearl is the one who usually talks to him. I don't feel comfortable speaking to the richest man in town, despite him being really nice.

When I approached his table, I asked “Can I get you anything else?” He usually asks for more coffee, so I was surprised when he said “No dear, I’m good. Your name is Kara, right?”

Kara: “Y-yes sir.”

Leon: “Oh come one, please call me Leon. Sir makes me feel so old.”

Kara: “O-okay sir-- I mean Leon.”

Leon: “By the way, how old are you?”

Kara: “I-I’m 17.”

Leon: “You’re an incoming high school senior, right?”

Kara: “Y-yes, I am.”

Leon: “I see you around here everyday. Don’t you take a day off?”

Kara: “I do. But I’ve been covering for my friend Carmela. Her mom got hospitalized and she had to take care of her mom.”

Leon: “Wow, what a nice friend you are.”

Kara: “She’s a good friend too. I’m sure she’ll do the same for me.”

Leon: “You’re also spending your summer vacation working instead of taking it easy.”

Kara: “I’m saving up for college. I’ll still probably be working here when school starts, but I’ll be taking part-time shifts.”

Leon: “You’re an admirable young girl. I hope every young person is as diligent as you.”

Kara: “Thank you, Leon. Just let me know if you need anything else. I need to get back to work.”

Leon lifted his coffee cup as I moved to another table to clean. My small talk with him made me smile. He really is a nice old man.

Leon stayed in the diner for lunch, and when I took his order, he smiled and told me I should have lunch myself. I told him that I’ll have lunch when the lunch crowd is gone, before I moved to another table. By 1:30 pm, Martin had me take my lunch break and handed me a plate with two pieces of fried chicken and some pasta.  I got a glass of ice tea to go with my meal. 

I was about to take a seat in the corner when Leon asked me to join him at his table instead. I was hesitating for a bit but when he smiled and pulled the chair out for me, I willingly obliged.

Kara: “Thanks, Leon. I’m not disturbing you, am I?”

Leon: “Of course not. You’re making my day by just talking to me. It’s not everyday that I get to chat with a beautiful young woman.”

Kara: “Oh Leon, you’re such a charmer. I’m not beautiful. I could lose a few pounds, and I don’t know how to put on makeup.”

Leon: “Dear, you are a natural beauty. You don’t need cosmetics to enhance your looks. Besides, beauty is skin deep. I’m sure your parents are proud of what a nice young woman you’ve become. I’m sure you’re bound for great things in the future.”

I smiled as I started eating my chicken. Leon started talking about how young women nowadays differ from young women during his time. He commented that kids nowadays seem to put more value on their mobile devices and gadgets than on the people around them.

Leon: “The other day, there was a group of young people on a table and none of them were talking to each other. They were more concerned about taking photos of their food and updating their faceblock or instantgram more than anything.”

I chuckled as I corrected Leon.

Kara: “They’re called f******k and **, Leon.”

Leon: “Well, whatever they’re called, I don’t care much about those. Human interaction is still more important than whatever those are.”

Kara: “Well, there are advantages and disadvantages to social media. Too much usage is bad for you, but it’s a good way to stay in touch with people who are far away from you.”

Leon: “I guess. But it’s no use for old people like me who’s friends and relatives have mostly died. I don’t really have anyone else far away from that I need to stay in touch with.”

I saw how Leon’s face went gloomy as he said that almost everyone he knows is dead. I remember Pearl telling me that his only daughter has died already.

Kara: “Well, if you decide to open a f******k or ** account you can add or follow me. I post some pictures of my daily life and the things that interest me. You can do the same. Who knows, you might have some old classmates or former friends who've been looking for you online.”

Leon: “Well, you might have to help me create them. I don’t even know how to use this phone that well. I only use it to make and take calls.”

Leon showed me his phone, which is the latest iPhone model. He is rich, so I have no doubt that he could afford it. I assured him I will help him, and for him to just let me know when he finally decides.

After 30 minutes, I was done with my lunch break and I brushed my teeth and washed my face in the washroom before heading back to work.

A few customers came in for snacks in the mid-afternoon and I stopped by Leon’s table every now and then to check if he wanted or needed anything. He asked for a coffee refill once and ordered some pie.

The dinner crowd started arriving at half past five and I started taking orders and placing them with Martin. Pearl came back to man the cashier after visiting Carmela and her mom at the hospital. She brought along their two kids, who were quietly sitting at the table close to the counter while coloring. They are fraternal twins, and are four years old.

When I approached Leon’s table to take his order, I was surprised to see that he was not sitting alone there. I squinted my eyes to make sure that I was seeing it right. I got even more confused when the guy sitting with him at his table looked really familiar.

Even when he’s sitting, he’s a big guy, and I recognized his silhouette. When I got closer to the table, the man lifted his head and looked at me. I froze as I saw the most beautiful lightest brown eyes I have ever seen. Our eyes met and I couldn’t believe my ears when I heard what Leon said.

Leon: “Hi Kara, I want you to meet Jared Montemayor. He’s my grandson.”