Table for One
by Daniel Passamaneck
He scrapes at the formica with his thumb. He'd rather be nearer a wall. He wishes he didn't look every time somebody comes in. He keeps re-reading the menu but knows already how it ends. The cutlery and empty glass across from him, accusatory, pitying, have killed his appetite. For food.
Deftly done, especially liked the way the table setting acquires attitude and turns on the protagonist.
I liked this a great deal, especially since the reader can fill in who has failed to show... could be a date, an adult child, a separated spouse, the solitariness is very well-rendered.