Last name was Notario
never knew their first names.

I was a cashier
summer job
restaurant by the Bay.

He would come in first
take a table by the window
she would follow a few minutes later
finished her cigarette perhaps
elegance and silver-haired grace.

He would stand for her.

They had lazy lunches
he, serious and attentive
she, warm and animated
her throaty laughter
echoing through the place.

One day, I wanted to be like them

Then, one summer
he came alone.

He sat at the same table
ate his lunch in silence
looking out at the Bay.

All summer long the waiters 
moved around him
with quiet gentleness.