untouchable

the waiter was about to put his hand on my shoulder and squeeze it. he stopped himself about two inches away from me and pulled his hand back.

i wonder why. no no, i did not want him to touch me. we weren’t flirting (i had figured he was gay) at all. but i hadn’t signaled either way, for him to reach for my shoulder nor to shy away. i was just asking him to bring my friend a piece of cake with a candle in it. completely neutral and professional.

i wonder what made him head toward adding a physical gesture to the conversation, but i wonder more what made him stop himself so suddenly.

my prickles. they must be about two inches long, and sharp.