I hated diners, and Mike knew this. For the life of me I`ll never understand why he doesn`t listen to me. I guess somethings will never change. He knew I didn`t like the smell of fresh pie, or how friendly the wait staff was, or how the food came in such large portions. Now that I think about it, maybe I`m just taking it out on the diner and the staff. My problem wasn`t with them it was with Mike.

　　"So, uh Kelly, are you going to order? The waitress is waiting." Mike said, holding the menu, in front of him. Motioning his head to the waitress, notepad and pen in hand.

　　"Oh, sorry babe, I was just wondering if I should get the soup. But then I remembered you don`t like it when I eat soup because I slurp, and it`s not ladylike. So, I`ll just have the chicken finger and fries." I knew it was petty, but after what he did, I had all the right to be petty.

　　Mike sighed. "Do we really have to do this here, babe," he said, going through the menu one more time. He looked at the waitress, now stepping side to side, not making eye contact and wanting to disappear. Clearing his throat, he continued, "I will have the burger medium-well."

　　The waitress hastily walked away with our orders and disappeared into the kitchen. "I don`t know what you`re talking about, and I was simply telling the truth," I said, taking a sip of my water.

　　"Yes, but it`s rude to slurp your soup, dear. It`s simply bad table manners." He said, putting his elbows on the table and rubbing his temples.

　　"Well, it`s also bad table manners to put your elbows on the table, but I never complain when you do it."

　　"I`m sorry, I`ve been trying to work on it myself. It`s just ... all I ask is if you could simply try and eat your soup less aggressively." Mike said, taking his elbow off the table and putting his hands in his lap.

　　"All I want is for you to spend some more time listening to me when I talk, but instead, you would rather spend more time with&"

　　"Here are your chicken fingers, miss," the waitress said, handing me the plate of food. She wore discomfort on her face. She probably wanted to switch tables with another waitress. "and here is your burger. Can I get you anything else?" The waitress handed Mike his plate and then placed a few napkins on the table.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

　　"No," we said at the same time. The waitress quickly walked away, escaping the building tension in the air.

　　"Pass the salt, please," Mike said, "these fries are a little bland."

　　I handed him the salt, then took a bite of a fry, "Maybe it`s just your taste buds because you say the same about my cooking."

　　Shaking his head, "No dear, I love your cooking. I was just giving you tips to improve, that`s all; I was trying to help." He said, taking a bite out of his burger.

　　"Well, you can help me pack my things from your place," I said, taking a bite of a fry.

　　He choked on his burger, coughing. He grabbed a drink from his glass of water to stop coughing. There was a prolonged silence as we ate, neither of us wanting to make eye contact. I could see him starting to get anxious as he sat in front of an empty plate, tapping his finger on the table. Finally, he broke the silence, "Why are you packing up your things? I thought you wanted to move in?"

　　"I should have known that you were sleeping with that paralegal. She is always at your place, and I even found her panties underneath your bed when I was cleaning your room." I said, moving a fry around my plate. "Why did you have to sleep with that girl? If you wanted to bang, you had a lovely girlfriend you haven`t touched in months,"

　　"I`m sorry, she was always coming into work dressed in the tiniest dresses and bending over any chance she had to reveal her lady bits. I simply&"

　　"Didn`t have any dick discipline to keep it in your pants." I said cutting him off.

　　"Um, would you like a box for that, miss." Our waitress, with unfortunate timing, asked.

　　I adjusted myself in my seat, took the hairband from my wrist, and put it into a ponytail. "Yes, please." Then reached for my purse.

　　"Okay, is there anything else I can get for you?" the waitress said, slowly inching away, trying to remove herself as quickly as possible.

　　"No, we can have the check. Split it, please," I said, digging in my purse, searching for my wallet.

　　"Alright, I will grab that for you." the waitress said, leaving the scene. There was a moment of silence as we stared at each other.

　　Finally, he broke the silence. "My burger was good. How was your food" he said, changing the subject as he always did when he was uncomfortable. He always finds a way to run from his problems.

　　"Yes, I enjoyed my chicken fingers as well. I might have them for lunch tomorrow." Now staring at the food on the plate getting cold. The anger I felt was building so much that I couldn`t even bring myself to look at him anymore. More silence followed.

　　It seemed like we sat there forever. How long did it take to get the two checks and a box? Did she get lost somehow? Why couldn`t she come when we wanted her. "I think I should pay for dinner; it`s the least I can do." He said, looking at his folded hands resting on the table.

　　"No, it`s fine we can pay separate. Afterall this is our last meal together."

　　 "Thank you for dining with us. I hope you two have a better night." The waitress said, placing the checks on the table. Freeing us all from this awkward dinner.