The Olerid & The Chef

The Olerid & The Chef
By Michael Lowery

“How long are you going to gawk at her?”
James blinked. The sandy-haired man turned to his co-worker Luke, hearing the question. He considered it as he washed dishes in the kitchen. The soft cyber jazz and the chatter in the Nebula Café & Grill filled the air.
“I’m not gawking,” James replied. “I was seeing if she had been served food. Tonight’s busy.”
“For half an hour?”
James silently stared as he could no longer deny what Luke was saying.
“Come on. We’re friends. You’ve gawked at her for five months straight.”
James shrugged again. Embarrassment filled him. He knew he had a deep crush on the alien woman sitting alone. She was always alone whenever she came to dine at the restaurant. Through the kitchen window, he saw the customers seated at their tables. Humans and aliens ate, drank, and socialized under the pale blue lights, planet-themed decorations, and the banners that hung from the walls. Nebula Café & Grill’s pride was staked on good food, good drinks, and the hospitality of its workers.
At a table in one corner, an Olerid, an alien woman, dressed in a white blouse, long skirt, and yellow sash, sat looking at her smartphone. She had smooth green skin, pointed ears, and horns that poked through her long black hair. A single red jewel lay embedded in her neck; it was a common trait of all Olerids. She had a bored expression on her face like always when she was in the restaurant.
James always wondered if she longed for a friend or a lover. He wondered if she needed some spark or thrill to get her through each day. Maybe she worked a job with wages but tedious tasks. James put up the dishes he washed and dried before continuing his work in the kitchen. He still had dishes to cook in the evening hours. After an hour, James felt an elbow to his side. Luke gestured to the dining room floor.
“James, go. Ask her out.”
“But we’re on the clock.”
“It’ll take 5 or 10 minutes. Go.”
“But I’m not ready.”
Luke scowled. His blue eyes narrowed in annoyance. “Dude, stop it. You like her right?”
James nodded.
“And you want to go on a date with her right?”
James nodded again, wishing Luke would stop pressuring him. But his co-worker was adamant and stern. Luke padded James on the shoulder.
“All you do is introduce yourself and ask her out on a date. She either says yes or no. Easy!”
Making a delicious risotto or apple martini is easy, James thought grimly, asking out a stranger and a customer, an alien, not so much.
“I guess,” James muttered. “I’ve been rejected by 3 alien women.”
Luke nodded. “Yup. This time could be different. Now go.”
James turned to his other co-worker which was an alien with feathered wings and three eyes, and the co-worker gestured for James to go.
James sighed. He shook his head and sucked in a breath. “No choice huh? Great.”
As the door closed behind him, James left the kitchen. He smoothed out his chef hat, apron, and trousers. He made his way to the lone Olerid woman. The cyber jazz and people’s voices filled his ears, along with the clank of glasses, silverware, and plates. As he looked at the Olerid woman, he felt his heart beat faster and his pale hands sweat. Come on James, get a grip! You’re cook, not an angsty teen, he told himself.
When he reached the table, he gave the Olerid woman a small smile and wave. The Olerid woman lifted her head. She looked at him, confused. Her frown lingered before turning into a small smile. Up close, the Olerid was even more alluring and lovely.
“Hello,” James said. “How are you, miss?”
“Hi, I’m fine,” the Olerid woman replied. “Who are you?”
“James Gallard, one of the cooks here.”
The Olerid’s eyes grew bigger. “Ah, what a pleasure this is! I am Tamari Nettles. The food and drinks here are wonderful.”
“We aim to please you with meats and morsels.”
Tamari raised a brow. “Meats and morsels?”
“Ah…just a sales pitch,” James stammered. “It’s terrible.”
“Yes, but I don’t mind. You didn’t come here to just sell me food and drinks.”
James felt his hands sweat more. He chuckled and felt Tamari’s gaze linger on his face. Her smile turned into a grin.
“You’re right,” James replied. “I…um, wanted to ask you something.”
“What’s that?”
“Well, I was wondering if …maybe.”
Across the dining hall, James noticed Luke and his co-workers watching him. They grinned and winked before returning to their work.
“What were you wondering, James?”
He turned to Tamari and swallowed. “I was wondering if you…wanted to go on a date. You and me.”
Tamari’s eyes flickered. She was quiet for several moments as her smile vanished. James tried to stay calm but his heart beat fast and he wondered what the alien woman would say or do. Even though his knowledge was limited, he knew Olerids were picky about dates and spouses as well as food and drinks. The Olerids were one of the alien races that immigrated to Earth and learned to live with humans.
Tamari extended a hand to his and picked it up. Her skin was warm and smooth and it smelled of a faint perfume. She squeezed his hand and interlaced his fingers with hers. James blushed at these gestures.
“James, I would love a date,” Tamari replied.
“You w-would? Really?”
“Yes. I long for a date and fun in my life.”
“Me too.”
Tamari giggled. “Wonderful! I spend 8 hours a data typing data in spreadsheet in this office building and it can get boring, but the credits pay the bills.”
“Where do you work?” James asked.
“Gel-Tech.”
“Gel-Tech?” James replied. “The company that sells vitamins and supplements?”
Tamari nodded. “That’s the one.”
“I see. So, coming here helps you relax a bit?”
“Somewhat, James. Though I have wanted to date since I started my job. I…just get picky about who I want to romance.”
“That’s not a bad thing.” James chuckled. “You can let go of my hand now.”
Tamari let go of his hand with a sheepish look and gestured for him to sit. James found her look cute and her demeanor nice. James continued to chat with Tamari as the music, the chatter, and the noise continued. As he learned about her, he felt his heart warm and his thoughts become excited. For it was the beginning of a new relationship one that he longed for and hoped for.
An alien waiter opened a bottle of red wine. He dipped his head to James and Tamari before pouring their glasses.
“I will return to take your orders, shortly,” the waiter said.
When the waiter had left, James looked to Tamari. He smiled and enjoyed her appearance. She dressed in a black silk dress, stilettos, gold bracelets, and gold earrings. She returned James’ smile and placed a hand upon his.
“The Starlight Station,” she said. “It’s a great choice.”
“It sure is,” James replied. “I wanted our date to be terrific!”
“And it will give us an opportunity to get to know each other.” Tamari traced a green finger along his knuckles. “What things attracted you to me?”
James considered her question. He brushed a finger along her wrist before he gave his answer. “So many things. Your green skin, your pretty smile, and your demeanor drew me.”
“And what else?”
“Your movements and you being a Olerid.”
Tamari chuckled at that. Her pointed ears quivered with her laughter. “You know that Olerids are picky and particular about everything.”
“Humans can be the same way too. Some anyway.”
“That is true. But why do you like me for being an Olerid, James?”
“Well,” James began. “Even though Olerids are picky and particular, they are cultured and know what they want out of life. They also have the ability to heal fast and are willing to treat humans as equals.”
Tamari nodded at that. Her eyes shone with understanding. She listened and was quiet for several minutes. James noticed this and hoped that it wouldn’t offend her. He wanted the date to go well.
“So…you really find my race appealing?” Tamari asked. “In spite of our flaws?”
“I do. There’s a lot to you that can be fun and exciting.”
“I can say the same about you. You enjoy basketball and baseball, right?”
James nodded. “Sure do. Played basketball back in high school. Now, I play for fun.”
The waiter returned to them and dipped his head. James gestured for Tamari to order first. She asked for cooked lobster, shrimp, potatoes, and oysters. James opted for salmon, fries, carrots, and dinner rolls. Once their orders were noted, the waiter left them again.
Tamari tapped her fingers on James’ hands. Her taps were gentle and rhythmic. James smiled at this and found the gesture playful and endearing. He tapped his feet to hers and did so a few times. Tamari giggled at that.
“I might have to play a one-on-one game with you,” she said. “Though you would have to teach me basketball.”
“You don’t know how to play?”
Tamari shook her head, blushing.
“Well, I’d love to teach you,” James said. “Maybe you could teach me something too.”
“Like what?”
“Well, I can’t sing a note to save my life.”
“Really?” Tamari raised a brow. “Sing a note from your favorite song. Right now.”
“That’s not…”
“Do it.”
“Fine.” James looked down at the table and sang the first line of his favorite song. His voice came out low. It cracked when he attempted to hit a higher note. Tamari laughed and patted James’ hands.
“I’ll teach you to sing better. It’ll be nice.”
James smiled, and Tamari let her hands linger on his. He appreciated the touch. It was warm and comforting. He felt relieved that the date was going well. He couldn’t wait to have many more.