New Art

Oliver was staring at the mural on the wall, tilting his head as he stared at the space. He had moved to the restaurant since Miles' sister kicked him out although Miles pointed out that his sister had barely been home since her arrival. She was enjoying winter break with college friends, so if Oliver wanted to, he could come back although it sounded more like Miles wanted him to return as an excuse for his sister not to stay there. Why Oliver didn't know and he would not involve himself in Miles’ family drama. Cyrus allowed him back at Tormino's, where the mural was due for a makeover.

"Do you know what you're going to do yet?" asked Ramona, moving next to Oliver with an empty tray from delivering meals.

"Not yet; inspiration is slow this time around."

Ramona nodded; both now were looking at the mural.

"What's going on?" asked Miles as he stood at the register, ringing up a customer.

"Trying to get inspiration for the mural."

"The mural?" asked Miles.

"Yeah, when I live here, I paint the mural based on the seasons and holidays."

Miles finished ringing up the customer and then joined the two in the front.

"That's good. You did that?"

"Yeah, I don't sketch your pets for fun. Its practice so someday I can work as a professional artist."

Miles nodded; now all three of them were looking at the mural.

"Is everything alright?" asked Anita, joining the three waiters.

"Yeah, trying to figure out the new mural."

"Cyrus won't be happy that you are neglecting your work."

"Cyrus isn't happy about anything."

Anita pouted, "I'm not going to be happy if I have to work this floor by myself."

Everyone tore themselves away from the mural, all thinking about what Oliver could draw. Anita's pout turned into a smile the moment they returned to work even though the restaurant was void of people.

"New Year's is coming up, so maybe something about resolutions," offered Anita as she passed Oliver en route to the bar.

"But isn't that still a winter theme?" asked Miles as he pulled out a rag to clean tables.

"True, you can put all our resolutions on it, like looking for a soulmate," suggested Anita.

"Maybe fireworks," suggested Ramona, tripping as she did, only for Miles to catch her. He helped her back up but she scurried off again.

"Fireworks would be cool. Have you painted them before?" asked Miles.

Oliver looked up, trying to remember the last time he had painted fireworks. For a festival? He couldn't remember, but fireworks in the mural might be due. He needed to figure out the rest of the art piece.

The activity of the diner continued to move around him as he stood in thought. His face changed expressions as he pondered. Miles and Ramona looked to Anita to see if she would bring him out of his thoughts. Or whether Sierra would interfere. But neither moved from their task, so neither Miles nor Ramona made a move to stop the artistic process. Oliver's face lit up as he realized an idea and immediately marched off to grab his paints. But Cyrus stopped him along the way.

"Hey, Cyrus, I was about to go on break," he offered.

"You have two more hours of work, Agate." Cyrus turned him around and sent him back to the floor.

Oliver pouted, moving behind the bar to wait for a customer.

"Did you come up with an idea yet?" asked Anita?

"Yeah, but I have to wait until work is over to even sketch it."

"Don't worry, work will be over before you know it," she said to cheer him on.

Oliver gave her a painful smile as she walked back to the floor. He wondered if he could draw his ideas on napkins while he waited for the workday to end.