I sat down next to one of the regulars, Mr. Short, who was ironically, ridiculously tall, at about six foot seven. The other patrons call him Big Bird behind his back. Mr. Short is such a nice guy though and would probably find that funny.
“Hi, Mr. Short…mind if I join you?” I sighed and sat down before he could respond, because we sit together like this many times when he’d come in for lunch during my normal shift.
Mr. Short is a Vietnam veteran and widower. Since his kids all live in different states, the diner is like home to him and he has breakfast, lunch and dinner here. I enjoy keeping him company when I’m on duty.
“How ya doing tonight, Allison? It’s nice to see you here during the dinner hour.” Mr. Short looked at my tray full of food and lifted his brow.
“I know…a different variety for me, right?” I laughed.
“Yes…I should say!” he laughed.
“I am a little preoccupied with something tonight, so I am thinking food might help me calm my nerves.” I took a huge bite out of the sandwich and again, glanced at the door. This would not be the right time for Blue Eyes to walk in.
“Anything I can help you with?” he asked.
“No, no…I am fine, really,” I said taking a big gulp of my shake.
He opened the newspaper. “Ready for your horoscope?”
Mr. Short and I often checked our horoscopes during lunches together and he would always read mine to me.
“Yup…shoot,” I said.
Mr. Short read for me and I listened intently as I took another huge bite out of my sandwich.
“You may receive word from a friend today with a career tip or inspiration for a new hobby. Whatever the case, Gemini, a friend will play a significant role in your life bringing forth business opportunities.”
“Interesting. I’ll keep it in mind,” I said.
Mr. Short gestured silently that I had dressing on the side of my mouth and I wiped myself with a napkin.
“Are you sure you are okay, Allison?”
“Yup,” I said with my mouth full of food, as I wiped it again.
I could never admit to what I was really obsessing over tonight. It would sound so stupid to him, really, admitting that I was nervously waiting for a man who would probably never show.
I changed the subject and started asking him questions about Vietnam, his favorite topic, which inevitably led to as long of a story I was willing to sit for.
***
The crowd in the diner died down after about ten. At that time of night, it was more about cleaning up and restocking for the next morning. There were a few stragglers sipping on coffee and eating pie, but for the most part, the real work was done for the night.
I finished wiping down the last of the empty tables and grabbed the broom from a side closet to sweep the floor behind the counter as Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” played. I was crazy all right. I thought about how stupid I felt looking at the door every thirty seconds tonight, when, even if he had come in, he would have taken his card and gone away just as fast back to his cosmopolitan life. It might not have mattered even if he came in. Why was I obsessing over this guy anyway? Was there something truly missing in my life that I had to create this imaginary drama? Is the significance of him all in my head?
I thought about the past year as I swept the floor: how much I missed my mother and how badly the relationship with Nate ended. I hadn’t focused on anything other than my problems until the distraction of Blue Eyes…Cedric. If I can take away anything from this situation, at least I know I have the capacity to be interested in something again.
***
It was 10:55 and time to start shutting down for the night. Max and whichever waitress worked the late shift would always walk out together before he locked up.
I turned off the neon “Open” sign in the window and grabbed my coat. I waited by the door for Max to come out of the kitchen, looking out at the streetlights. He wasn’t quite ready to leave yet and I could hear some last minute washing and clanking of pots and pans. Besides that, the music was off and the diner was eerily silent overall.
I couldn’t wait to get out of here, back to my apartment and into a hot bath. Pathetic. What a waste of energy today was, I thought, as the draft from standing near the door made me shiver.
The last train leaves at 11:20, so I wished Max would hurry up. I closed my eyes imagining how good the hot water bath would feel.
I opened my eyes just as a silver Audi pulled up out front.
CHAPTER 6
CEDRIC
I have been sitting at this business dinner for over two hours and I couldn’t tell you one thing that was said. I have been aimlessly nodding and nursing this scotch because I don’t want to get hammered tonight if I have any chance in hell of making it to the diner before they close. I would much rather be on the highway headed north right now, but couldn’t get out of here to save my life.
Earlier this afternoon, after I got the voicemail from Allison that I had left my credit card at the Stardust (idiot move by the way), I rushed back to the office elated and nervous, but determined to make it back to the diner after work.
In the midst of this development, I realized I had forgotten about a major client meeting followed by dinner scheduled at night. Westock was trying to woo Boston’s top sports anchor from a rival agency and he and his wife had scheduled a meeting with my colleagues and me. It wasn’t until I walked in and saw Julie waiting in my office panicking that I remembered.
Sports anchor Scott Ellis was already waiting in conference room B and he didn’t look too happy. Thankfully, I was skilled in the art of schmoozing and ass kissing and by the end of the meeting, I had him wrapped around my finger. I offered to take a lower percentage commission than he was paying his current agent and guaranteed that I could get him a higher salary. I had already had a meeting setup with TV station management who owed me a favor anyway, after I stopped another client of mine from suing them for breach of contract. I knew the higher salary was a given and I knew Ellis would be my client before the week was over.
***
No longer needing to kiss-ass, Ellis, his wife Maureen, a few of the other agents and I decided to celebrate our new relationship at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in the city.
It was 9:30 and I knew I needed to wrap this up soon if I wanted to get to the diner and allow time to go home and change out of my work clothes first.
Just when I was about to make up an excuse and leave…Karyn showed up. Apparently, she had called my assistant Julie’s cell phone to find out where we were and decided to join us. Karyn worked with Scott at the same station and must have thought her presence would help; little did she know how much worse she made this night for me by showing up when she did.
“Hey, babe. Hi, Scott…Maureen…” Karyn said as she walked in like she owned the place, asking the waiter for an extra chair and squeezing in beside me.
“Karyn, what a pleasant surprise.” I lied flashing a fake smile.
“I didn’t realize you two were an item,” Maureen said, looking over at her husband who was grinning.
Karyn wasn’t exactly the most liked person at her TV station. She was known for being overbearing in staff meetings and throwing out story ideas that management didn’t always agree with ethically. Scott Ellis seemed amused by her, though. I ignored Maureen’s question about our dating and turned to Karyn to whisper in her ear.
I flat out lied. “Babe, I wish you had gotten here sooner. I have an early commuter flight to New York City in the morning and was just about to respectfully excuse myself, since I have some preparation to do for the meeting at WANY.”
I didn’t know what else to do. I didn’t feel good about lying, but the thought of missing out on seeing Allison…who was expecting me…was killing me. If I hadn’t intervened, knowing Karyn, this would have turned a long night into a never-ending one. I would have to make up a story tomorrow about the meeting being cancelled suddenly, but I can deal with that later.
The truth was I did have a meeting to discuss Karyn and a few of my other clients at WANY next week. So, the lie was not 100-percent ruthless. In fact, my idea was becoming more brilliant by the minute since next week’s actual meeting will look like the rescheduling of the fictitious one.
“Actually, yes, that’s on the agenda, Karyn.” I looked up at Scott realizing that Karyn shouldn’t be discussing jumping ship in front of her current co-worker. This was my fault. I didn’t want to jeopardize Karyn’s job, even if I knew she really didn’t stand a chance at the New York anchor position. In fact, I had two other clients I would be pushing harder for to get that job, because they were better for it, plain and simple.
Karyn rubbed my shoulder. “Honey, I completely understand if you need to go. I can’t believe I didn’t know you were going tomorrow, but I am happy you are.” Karyn then did a little happy dance and stomped her feet fast in giddiness.
“Thanks, babe. You stay…have fun,” I said.
On that note, I got up from the table, shook hands with Ellis and gave Maureen a friendly kiss on the cheek after she leaned in.
“Thanks for a great meeting, Scott. I am sure this is the beginning of a great working relationship. I’ll call you later this week once I have had a chance to talk the guys in suits.” I leaned in and kissed Karyn on the cheek, slapped down eight hundred dollars cash that should more than cover the bill and walked out.
Halle-friggin-llujah. When I exited the restaurant onto the busy street, I felt relief as the cold air hit my face. I waited for the valet to bring out my Audi and gave him a higher than normal tip, patting him on the back, simply because I was so friggin’ happy to make it out of there in time.
I wouldn’t have time to go back to the condo and change, so I would have to see Allison dressed up the same way I was that first visit. She is definitely going to remember me now. I am not sure how I felt about that, given what an ass I acted like that day.
I revved the engine and sped onto I-93.
It was 10:20. I would be just getting there in time if I were lucky.
I passed a broken down Toyota Corolla and thought about the fact that if this were any other night, I would have helped the poor bastard. Not tonight, though…not tonight.
10:45…I was almost there. I started to feel my heart pounding, knowing how my body would react when I saw her again. I continued to drive focusing on that beautiful haunting face.
10:50…I exited the off ramp and made my way down the side streets, noticing the black and orange lights adorning the houses and stores on Main Street in preparation for Halloween.
I could see the Stardust in the distance, but noticed that the Open sign was not illuminated.
Fuck.
I slid fast into the space right in front and without thinking, rushed out of my seatbelt and slammed the car door closed.
When I looked up, my heartbeat accelerated as I saw Allison standing with her coat on facing me through the front window as I opened the door.
She looked like a doll, standing there in a fitted brown coat and a pink knit cap, with flushed cheeks. She was gorgeous.
The chimes sounded as I opened the door, bringing us face to face and into a few seconds of silence where I stood in awe of her before speaking.
“Hi…I, um, am so sorry I’m so late…I’m Cedric. You called about the credit card I left here earlier today?” I couldn’t stop looking into her eyes. They were so unique, yet familiar.
“Hi…yes, that was me who left the message. It’s no problem. We aren’t technically closed. I’m waiting for Max, the owner to finish up before we lock up. Let me get your card,” she said.
She definitely seemed nervous.
“No rush,” I said.
No rush…stupid thing to say. Why wouldn’t she want to get the hell out of here? It’s the end of her shift.
I watched as she walked behind the counter toward the register. She was the perfect height, about five feet six inches, not too tall, not too short and was wearing light beige Uggs. She must have changed out of her work shoes. She is really ready to leave. I am inconveniencing her. She looked frazzled as she rummaged through papers and folders near the register. I heard her whispering to herself. I thought I heard a faint ‘fuck’.
I hadn’t moved yet from my spot near the door, so I walked over to her.
“Is everything ok?” I asked.
“No…um…it’s not. My co-worker told me she left your card in this folder and it’s not in here. I am afraid I have to call her and find out where she put it because it’s not here.”
I smiled, wanting her to relax. “No worries…it’s gotta be in this place somewhere, right?” I am in no rush. Please take your time, Allison.”
The credit card was the least of my concerns right now. It could be on its fucking way to Nigeria now for all I cared.
Just then, an older black haired man with a moustache who looked like Super Mario came out from the kitchen, dressed in a coat and hat with a newspaper stuffed under his arm.
“Ready to go, Al?” he asked. This must be Max.
“Max, if it’s okay, I need to use my key to lock up. This customer left his credit card here earlier today and I don’t know where Sonia put it. I just tried her cell and there is no answer, so I am gonna look around for it.”
“No problem. You know how to lock it, right?” Max asked. He didn’t seem worried. You can tell he trusted her.
“Yup…done it before plenty of times. Thanks.”
The bells chimed as Max left the diner, leaving me alone with Allison.
Alone with Allison.
This was my one and only chance to get to know her. It’s now or never. I hope she never finds that goddamn card.
“Cedric, I am really sorry about this.” She looked over at me quickly, while still rummaging through cabinets and drawers, her big eyes frantically searching. “I know Sonia wanted to put it someplace for safe keeping, but apparently, that backfired.”
Her cheeks looked red. She was actually really upset about this. I wish I could tell her how happy the situation was actually making me, but then if she knew that I’d probably end up in the back of a cop car heading back to the city.
“Allison, it’s really ok. Please, don’t worry about it. Do you mind if I sit down while you look?” I asked.
“Please…yes…can I get you a slice of pie or something?” she asked.
“That’s really sweet of you, yes, I would love some.” Pie actually sounded really good.
“Apple or coconut cream?” Allison held the door open to the kitchen as she waited for my reply with the sweetest look on her beautiful face.
My heart was fucking toast.
“Aw, man…that’s easy…coconut cream…thanks.”
Could this night get any better…now there’s pie in the mix?
Allison walked out of the kitchen with a small plate that had a huge slice of pie and a generous dollop of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry on top.
“Here you go.” She smiled and placed the pie in front of me.
“Thanks.” I stared up at her again for a few seconds. This time, she was staring back at me, her hand slowly backing away from the pie plate and it reminded me of the awkward pause we experienced the first time I came into the diner. God I just want to grab her and sniff her hair. Thank God she can’t read my mind because if she could, this pie would be in my face and the cherry up my ass.
Allison abruptly walked away and said, “I am going to try Sonia again.”
She picked up her iPhone and scrolled down to a number and this time she got an answer. I watched and listened to her as I stuffed my face with pie.
“Sonia! she shouted. “Where the hell did you put the credit card? I looked there; it’s not there! You said the green folder…what do you mean top shelf? Oh, the shelf in the pantry…crap, alright…yes, he is…later…later…I
can’t now… alright…thanks.”
She hung up and ran into the kitchen.
When she came out, she flashed me a big smile showcasing her perfect teeth.
“Cedric, I am so, so sorry. Apparently, she left it in a green folder, but it was a different green folder in a different spot…anyway, I am really sorry for the mix-up.”
Allison handed me the card and our fingers brushed together, the feel of her skin sending a shiver down my spine and an awareness somewhere else. That was the first time I actually touched her.
“Please, don’t apologize, Allison. Sitting here enjoying this pie has seriously been the highlight of my day. And I should be apologizing to you for putting you through the trouble of having to look for it, when it was my asinine mistake, leaving it here.”
“Well, it all worked out, I guess.”
“It did,” I said.
Then, there was more tense silence, as I got lost in those gigantic green eyes.
“Allison, I hope you have a safe way of getting home tonight…it’s pretty late.”
“I actually usually walk to the train station with Max, but…wait, what time is it?” She looked at her watch. “Crap,” she said.
“What…what’s wrong?” I asked.
“The last commuter train left at 11:20. It’s 11:25. I missed it,” she said sighing.
“Well, it’s obviously my fault. Please let me drive you home. Where do you live?”
This was too good to be true.
“I live in Malden. It’s about a half hour drive from here. Are you sure? I could call a cab.”
“No way. You are here because of me and it’s actually right on my way home. I live in the city.”
“I figured that.”
“You figured I lived in the city…how so?” I asked with a curious gaze, not able to take my eyes off her swollen lips.
“Well, you’re always so well-dressed, like a businessman from Boston, I guess. I mean…uh…I remember the first time you came in,” Allison said shyly.