the third chair

Had lunch with R at the food court. As usual, it was way busy. R saved us a table while I went to get us food (a cheesesteak for him, a BBQ sandwich for me).

There wasn’t a chair at the table for me. I went to the next table, where two guys were sitting, and asked if I could have their spare chair. They were like “uhh…” and I got the vibe the chair was for someone else, so I said it was fine, I’d get a chair elsewhere.

We had a leisurely lunch, and then I went to get ice cream for both of us. When I returned, the two guys were still at their table, with the third chair still unoccupied. I thought to myself, what if the third person is not coming because he’s dead? Like, he passed away years ago, and whenever these friends meet, they honor his memory by pulling up a third chair at the table.

I was finishing up my ice cream when “Hi! Sorry I’m late!” A third guy joined the other two guys at their table. Well, so much for my headcanon. I’m glad he’s alive though.