Dinner night
537 Words
The walk back to town was quiet but comfortable. Alex let Sam set the pace, matching their steps without trying to fill the silence. The glow of streetlights flickered on as they approached Main Street, and Alex felt the weight of the day settle on his shoulders.
“Do you want to grab dinner?” Alex asked hesitantly as they reached the town square. “There’s that diner we used to love. Unless you have other plans?”
Sam raised an eyebrow, the corner of their mouth twitching upward. “You mean Charlie’s? I didn’t think you’d want to go back there.”
“Why not?” Alex asked, though he had a sinking feeling he already knew the answer.
Sam stopped walking, turning to face him. “Because that’s where we spent our last night together before you left.”
The memory hit Alex like a wave—Sam laughing at one of his terrible jokes, the way their hand had lingered in his just a little too long, the promise in their eyes that Alex hadn’t been brave enough to keep.
“I remember,” Alex said quietly. “That’s exactly why I want to go back. I want to face it. With you.”
For a moment, Sam looked at him like they were trying to figure him out, their guarded expression wavering. Finally, they shrugged. “Alright. Let’s see if Charlie’s burgers are still as good as we remember.”
The diner was just as Alex remembered it: checkerboard floors, neon signs buzzing faintly, and the comforting scent of grilled food in the air. They slid into a booth near the window, and for a moment, Alex felt like no time had passed at all.
“Wow,” Sam said, glancing around. “Even the jukebox is still here. Remember how you used to play the same three songs over and over?”
Alex chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Hey, those were classics. You didn’t seem to mind back then.”
“I didn’t mind a lot of things back then,” Sam said, their tone teasing but with an edge of seriousness.
The server came by, interrupting the moment, and they placed their orders. Alex watched Sam as they looked out the window, the streetlights casting a soft glow on their face.
“Sam,” he said, breaking the silence.
They turned back to him, their expression unreadable.
“I know this isn’t easy for you. And I know I’ve got a lot to make up for,” Alex said. “But I’m grateful you’re giving me a chance. Even if it’s just a small one.”
Sam studied him for a moment before nodding. “You’re right—it’s not easy. But I guess some part of me wants to see if we can get this right. Maybe we can’t, but I think it’s worth trying.”
Alex’s chest tightened, hope blooming in his heart. “It is. I promise you it is.”
As their food arrived and they fell into a familiar rhythm of conversation, Alex couldn’t help but feel like they were starting to find their way back to each other, step by careful step.
- Writer
