Way Down I'll Go

Flutter, Float, and Change to Butterflies

"You know Jack?" 

Frank's voice quivered slightly and Jo peeked up at his face, finding an expression of thinly veiled rage and disgust. 

"He's hurt you before...like that."

Jo ducked his head, horrified at Frank knowing what he was. He was shaking uncontrollably now, from cold, pain, worn-off adrenaline, and fear. Fear of Frank.

"Look at me, kid."

Jo's eyes snapped up in rote obedience.

"If anyone gives you problems, you tell me. I'll take care of them."

It wasn't what Jo expected, and he didn't know if he could fully trust those words, and it didn't even mean he was off the hook from paying Frank back. But it was a start.

Jo looked up from the sink, finding Frank across the kitchen, going about his work with practiced ease as if all was right with the world. He'd never laid a hand on Jo, and was one of the few people in Jo's life he knew he could trust. Jo figured that the anxiety of busing tables next to the public was a small price to pay for the years of kindness Frank had shown him.

"Showtime, kid. You best get out there." 

It was Danny, one of the waiters.

Jo took a deep breath and unrolled his sleeves. Pushing a cart in front of him, he left the safety of the kitchen and entered the realm of the elite. Leaving his cart near the kitchen, he wove in and out of the mingling guests, gathering discarded wine glasses and tiny appetizer plates. He shouldn't have been so worried. The partygoers took so little notice of him, it was as if he had become completely invisible. He was just about to push his cart back in the kitchen when he heard it. That song-like laugh.

His eyes found her instantly and his breath caught at the sight of her. The butterflies reappeared in his stomach, fluttering furiously. Her long, blonde hair flowed down her back in loose curls, one side gathered up in a sparkling clip. Her floor length dress was made of red velvet and fit her like a glove, the short sleeves caressing the smooth skin of her arms.

She was more than stunning. She was perfect.

He watched as she laughed at something said by the man next to her. He was tall, handsome, and wore a suite that probably cost more than Jo's monthly rent. She leaned in as he whispered something in her ear and she laughed again. A well dressed, middle aged couple joined them and the merriment continued.

The butterflies in Jo's stomach had turned into lead, and he made a quick exit to the kitchen. The good mood he'd been feeling vanished, replaced with a heavy dose of his usual self-loathing.

"Those dishes aren't busing themselves, kid." 

Danny's voice broke his reverie and try as he might, he couldn't think of a good enough excuse not to go back. Ducking his head, he re-entered the dinning room and tried to be as inconspicuous as possible.

As the hours flew by, he began to think he'd make it out without being noticed. He was preparing to take his last cart of dishes back to the kitchen when a hand tapped his shoulder and her voice floated to his ears.