It took a little while to get used to the place, but after a couple weeks, Ivan found that he didn't mind the odd plastic covers of the booths and stools anymore.

The smell was more difficult, but that tended to be covered up by the smell of syrup and pancakes that his ever familiar, though quiet, waiter insisted he get every time. And, really, Ivan found that the Waffle House might just be his favorite restaurant when his regular coffee and pancakes began to be accompanied by little kisses to the cheek or forehead and were followed by reddened ears as his blonde regular tended to other tables.

It became their routine, and soon, Ivan was able to start returning those little kisses both inside and outside of the Waffle House. And after that, he didn't have to leave home to get coffee and pancakes and little kisses.