Disclaimer: I do not own Pushing Daisies…
Let Me Fall-
-Chapter Seven: Dempsa's Reason
"Here's a garden salad for you, Alfredo," Dempsa said, placing a large salad in front of the traveling salesman.
"Thank you, Dempsa," Alfredo replied with a grateful smile.
"And a Mac & McCheese, for O-live," Dempsa said, her voice clipping on the second syllable as she placed a bowl of the dish in front of Olive.
"Thank you," Olive said, "It looks delicious."
"Mhm," Dempsa said in agreement and thanks, giving Olive her leveled gaze. Olive narrowed her eyes and stared back. "You two enjoy, let me know if you need anything else." With another pointed gaze at Olive and a smile for Alfredo, Dempsa walked away.
Olive Snook's eyes followed Dempsa as she walked away, until the woman turned a corner and was out of sight. Olive looked back to Alfredo and leaned forward, taking care not to let her necklace hit her macaroni and cheese. "She doesn't like me," Olive whispered, conspiratorially.
Alfredo Aldarisio paused, a fork-full of salad resting midair in front of his open mouth. "What?" He asked, lowering his fork and leaning forward.
"Dempsa," Olive explained. "She doesn't like me."
Alfredo's brow rose and he leaned back in his seat. "Don't be ridiculous, of course she likes you."
"No she doesn't!" Olive exclaimed quietly. "She's always giving me 'the eye'," Olive finished, using air quotes.
Alfredo smiled slightly, "'The eye'?"
"Yes, you know--." Olive did a perfect imitation of the look Dempsa had apparently been reserving for her and her alone.
Chuckling Alfredo rolled his eyes. "You're delusional."
"I am not!" Olive replied, trying to seem more convincing by bracing her hands on the table.
"Paranoid?" Alfredo tried.
Olive rolled her eyes and leaned back, crossing her arms. "No," she defended.
"Then what are you?"
"High strung—maybe--, neurotic—definitely—but not paranoid," Olive said, as if she were talking about the weather.
Alfredo laughed and shook his head. "Just eat your macaroni and cheese."
Olive looked down, as if noticing the bowl in front of her for the first time. Upon seeing the cheesy-goodness that sat in front of her Olive's eyes lit up in anticipation and her mind quickly cleared of all thought except for the dinner that sat before her. She quickly picked up her forked, pierced a healthy amount, and stuck it in her mouth.
Alfredo watched on as Olive greedily chewed her food, a look of amusement and adoration mixed on his face.
"What?" Olive asked, after she swallowed.
"You just looked like a five-year-old who got her favorite treat."
Olive hiccupped before blushing. "I like macaroni and cheese," she said, spearing another forkful and taking a bite. Alfredo smiled and shook his head before picking up his fork and taking the bite that he had yet been able to take.
Silence engulfed the two as they began to eat their delicious dinners from Dempsa's Dining Diner.
After taking two more bites a thought suddenly sprung upon Olive. She looked across the table at the traveling salesman who sat with her. "You did that on purpose."
"What?" Alfredo asked.
"You did that on purpose," Olive reiterated.
"What did I do on purpose?"
"You used some weird conversation ploy to change the subject," Olive accused, pointing her fork at the man across from her.
"I did no such thing," Alfredo replied, though the mirth in his eyes suggested otherwise.
"Yes you did. Because you don't want to explain why Dempsa doesn't like me," Olive rebuffed, triumphantly.
Alfredo sighed and shook his head, again. Without a word he reached across the table, took Olive's fork from her, scooped an absurdly large amount of macaroni and cheese, and stuck it in Olive's mouth.
Olive scowled as she chewed the food fed to her; though she couldn't hide the blush that crept across her features at the gesture, even if it had been done if only to shut her up.
Olive Snook awkwardly put on her coat. The left sleeve was half way turned into itself and she was practically punching the garment to get her arm through. She successfully pulled her coat snuggly around her body just as Alfredo Aldarisio finished paying their bill for dinner.
"You two enjoy yourselves?" Dempsa asked, as the register shut with a ding. The question was directed towards Alfredo, but her eyes were trained on Olive once again. The blonde waitress shifted uncomfortably at the gaze and pulled her coat closer to her body.
"Of course," Alfredo replied with a smile, looking at Olive. Olive smiled warmly in return, though she did not remove her eyes from Dempsa. Olive wondered if Alfredo really couldn't see the contempt Dempsa was channeling towards her. Or she wondered if, perhaps, Dempsa had a freak-special gift of being able to direct two types of emotion at two different people at the same time. "And dinner was delicious as always," Alfredo finished.
Dempsa smiled, warmly and turned her full attention to the traveling salesman. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves. Have a good night, you two." And without so much an acknowledgement in Olive's direction, Dempsa walked down the counter and began to pick up plates left by other customer's.
Olive's jaw dropped and her eyes narrowed once more at the treatment she was receiving from the diner owner.
"Olive?" Alfredo asked, waving his hand in front of Olive's face. Olive closed her jaw and looked towards the man. "Are you alright?"
"Yes," she replied, calmly. "Are you ready to go?"
Alfredo Aldarisio shifted. "Actually, would you mind waiting while I go to--," at this, Alfredo stopped talking and pointed behind him to the 'Restroom' sign that hung above an entry way.
"Of course," Olive said, smiling warmly at the discomfort Alfredo was emitting.
Alfredo smiled, embarrassed. "I'll be right back," he said, before walking away.
Knowing that she would most likely not be presented with another opportunity of convenience, such as this one, Olive waited until Alfredo was completely out of view before walking determinedly over to where Dempsa stood. Olive braced her hands on the counter and faced the other woman, standing at her full height (even though she only came up to Dempsa's chin).
"Why don't you like me?" Olive asked with no preamble, making Dempsa freeze in her cleaning motions. To tell the truth, Olive was surprised that she had found enough confidence to confront Dempsa is such a way; she had never been able to do such a thing before. However, curiosity had gotten the better of her, and, Olive supposed that had she been a cat she would most likely be dead.
"Excuse me?" Dempsa asked, turning her back and placing the plates in a bin behind her. She turned back towards Olive, wiping her hands on a towel.
"Why don't you like me?"
"What gave you the idea that I don't like you?" Dempsa asked, smiling, though the sentiment she was expressing didn't seem sincere.
"Maybe from the fact that I've only known you for two days, but the entire time you've been giving me the You're-lucky-we're-not-alone-or-I'd-bite-your-head-off-look the entire time."
At this Dempsa laughed, a quiet, bright, yet sincere laugh. "You're wrong, you know," she said, after a while.
"Oh?"
"We've known each other for three days, you've only so graciously graced me with you presence for two."
"Mere semantics, graciously graced is redundant, and you haven't answered my question," Olive retorted dryly.
Dempsa snorted and Olive narrowed her gaze, daring the other woman to speak of any other thing beside the answer to her question. Dempsa finally relented, putting her towel down with a sigh, before stepping forward and resting against the counter; it was now the only matter that separated the two women.
"You're more observant than I've given you credit for," she said.
"Are you putting me through some test?" Olive asked.
Dempsa smiled but shook her head. "Look Olive. I've known Alfredo for a few years now and I've grown quite a fondness for him." Olive's brow rose. "Not that kind of fondness," Dempsa said quickly. "I'm old enough to be both of your mothers. But that's beside the point.
And the point was this: As a young and beginner traveling salesman Alfredo Aldarisio had been unable to catch a break. Denial after denial for his homeopathic drugs had dug him into a hole of depression. And then one day, while browsing a different part of the city, Alfredo had come across Dempsa's Dining Diner, where he had immediately met the kind owner Dempsa. Having seen a kindred spirit in Alfredo and knowing what it was like to face rejection in the beginnings of starting a business, Dempsa had helped the young man. She sent him to an apartment complex where most of her family resided and called her mother to tell her to buy as many of the mood relaxants as she and the rest of the family could. If only to boost Alfredo's confidence, but the scheme had worked flawlessly and not a week later Alfredo was a successful traveling salesman. And though Alfredo never knew what Dempsa had done, so began their friendship.
"I suppose you could say I'm a bit over protective of the boy," Dempsa said.
Olive smiled and nodded, "Maybe a little, but I'm assuming that it's not without good reason."
Dempsa laughed and nodded. "I've seen him in relationships before Olive. Fleeting ones, but relationships nonetheless. And when he began to talk about you, there was something in his voice that made me cautious. The pure adoration, almost devotion--,"
Olive blushed and lowered her head, tapping her finger on the counter.
"And, I'm sorry, but the way he had been describing you. Your—how you reacted to things he said, well it didn't exactly paint the best picture."
"I was slightly distant when we first met," Olive agreed, nodding her head.
"But not without good reason, I suppose," Dempsa replied. Olive smiled and lifted her head, nodding once more. Suddenly Dempsa's eyes narrowed once more, though this time in a seriousness Olive had never seen a person possess. "I don't want him to be hurt, Olive."
"I don't want to hurt him, Dempsa. And I won't."
Dempsa smiled and patted Olive's hand. "I'm sorry for how I've treated you, I should have given you a chance."
Olive shook her head. "You had to do what you had to do and I'm glad you did it. It's nice to know Alfredo has people like you looking out for him."
Dempsa smiled and was about to reply when the man they had been discussing approached him. "Ready?" Alfredo asked, placing his hand on Olive's lower back.
Olive felt warmth run through her, centering around Alfredo's soft touch. "Yes," she said, smiling.
"Have a good night, you two," Dempsa replied, this time giving both Olive and Alfredo her warm smile.
"Goodnight, Dempsa," The couple replied, as Alfredo offered his arm. The petite woman took it and the two walked towards the door.
"And Olive," Dempsa called, making the duo stop in the doorway. They turned. "Thank you, for beginning to prove me wrong."
Olive smiled and did not question the use of the word "beginning". It would take more than two days for Olive to prove that she wasn't going to do anything to deliberately wrong Alfredo in any way. She smiled and nodded.
"What was that about?" Alfredo asked, as they walked out the door.
"Girl-business bonding," Olive replied with a smile.
Alfredo smiled. "Once again, I had a good time tonight Olive."
"Me too, Fredo. Though I wish you would have let me pay, it's only fair since you did last time."
Alfredo shook his head and pulled his arm, and Olive, closer so that the two were almost molded together. "Call it the gentleman in me, but would hate to let you pay."
Olive sighed, overdramatically, as a twinkle worked its way into her eye. "Maybe next time we can go Dutch?" She tried, as they stopped at her car.
"Next time," Alfredo replied, then paused. "I'll have to think about it."
"Don't hurt yourself in the process."
"You're words, they wound me."
Olive laughed and shook her head. "Are you going to come to The Pie Hole, tomorrow?" she asked, preparing herself before she suffered from another attack of the neurotic mess that was her mind.
"Are you going to hit me again if I do?" Alfredo asked.
"Just for making that comment, yes."
"I'll be able to stop by in the morning for coffee, but then I'll have to leave."
Olive smiled and nodded. "I'll see you then, goodnight."
"Goodnight," Alfredo said, shifting awkwardly.
And so they stood again, awkwardly, facing one another, neither quite knowing what to do. Olive fiddled her fingers and looked to the ground, nerves wracking her body for some reason. She wondered if they should be past this. After all they had already gotten the awkward first date out of the way. Suddenly a comforting hand was placed on her cheek, forcing her to look up.
She was met with the sight of a smiling Alfredo, who leaned forward and placed an equally comforting and lingering kiss upon her lips. She smiled as Alfredo pulled away. "Goodnight, Olive," Alfredo whispered, his breath tickling her rosy lips.
"Goodnight, Fredo."
"So—uh—when would you like to go out again?" Alfredo asked the next day, shrugging into his coat.
Olive looked up from the sugar container she had been filling. "I'm free anytime this week," she said, instantly hating the words that came out. She hoped she didn't sound desperate.
Alfredo paused and thought for a moment, before nodding and picking up his work case. Quickly, he leaned across the counter and placed a light kiss on Olive's cheek, before turning and walking towards the door.
"Hey!" Olive yelled as she blushed a deep crimson. "Aren't you going to tell me when?"
Alfredo turned and smirked. "You'll see," he replied, before walking out the door. The bell rang in his wake.
Olive's jaw dropped and she humphed indignantly to know one.
"Um, Olive?"
Olive turned to see the Pie Maker standing in the door way to the kitchen. He pointed to Olive's hands. She turned to see that as she had been talking Alfredo she had yet to actually put down the sugar dispensers and now sugar was dangerously close to spilling all over the counter. She jumped and quickly set the dispenser and refilling pitcher down.
"Thanks," she said, blushing as she realized that there was a good opportunity Ned had seen her brief interaction with the traveling salesman. Ned coughed, the only indication that Olive needed to know that he indeed had.
"So, um…you and that customer, huh?" The Pie Maker asked, trying to sound nonchalant but failing beyond misery.
"Um, yeah," Olive replied awkwardly.
Ned took a step forward so that the two were now standing next to one another. "What's his name again? Fredo?" The fact that the Pie Maker was trying to make casual conversation made the uncomfortable atmosphere rise.
"Alfredo," Olive quickly responded. "Aldarisio."
The Pie Maker nodded as the two lapsed into a tense silence.
"This is still awkward," Ned finally said.
"But—um, not as awkward as last time…?" Olive offered.
"But still awkward," The Pie Maker replied.
"Right…"
Silence one more.
"So I'm just going to go talk to Chuck," Olive said.
The Pie Maker nodded. "We have issues," he said, making Olive pause.
"Many," Olive replied.
"We probably need help."
"See you in therapy," Olive said over her shoulder, as she quickly made way for the kitchen.
Author's Note: I am SO sorry I didn't get this up sooner! But school has been crazy….but I hope you enjoyed nonetheless.
Once more, Thank You! to all who have reviewed. It really means a lot and is greatly appreciated.
I don't know when I'll be updating again, but it probably won't be until after finals are done, which is the first week of May.
Until then!
Kate