Stuck Between Teeth

Marcus smoothed his clammy palm against his thigh for the third time since sitting down. The restaurant's amber lighting made everything look like it was drowning in orange juice — the tablecloths, the waiter's vest, even the condensation on Sarah's wine glass.

"You have something in your teeth," she said, not looking up from her menu. "Spinach, I think. From the appetizer."

His tongue found it immediately, a tiny green shard lodged between his front teeth. He'd been carrying it around since they'd sat down, unaware, smiling and nodding through twenty minutes of small talk about her promotion and his dead-end job and how they'd both changed since college.

"Thanks," he mumbled, excusing himself to the restroom.

In the harsh fluorescent mirror, he picked at the spinach with his fingernail until it dislodged. His reflection stared back — tired eyes, graying temples, the faint lines around his mouth that had deepened since Elena left. He'd asked Sarah to dinner because he was lonely, because he needed to feel something resembling connection. But sitting across from her, watching her carefully select her words like she was interviewing for a position he hadn't posted, he'd felt more alone than ever.

The bathroom door swung open. Another man entered, washed his hands with methodical efficiency, left without meeting Marcus's eyes in the mirror.

Marcus returned to the table. Sarah had ordered him another scotch. It sat waiting, amber and innocent as a sunrise.

"Better?" she asked.

"Much."

He sat down and picked up the glass, watching the liquid catch the light. Outside, palm trees swayed in the coastal breeze, fronds like old men's fingers against the darkening sky. He thought about telling her everything — how he'd cried in his car three nights ago, how he'd considered calling Elena despite everything, how he'd spent last night watching her Instagram stories until 3 AM. But the moment passed, as moments always did.

"To old friends," she said, raising her glass.

"To old friends," he echoed, and drank, and let the spinach between his teeth become the least of the things he couldn't say out loud.