An older woman walks through the swinging doors with a smile on her face.She’s got laugh lines around her eyes and mouth, white hair that’s curly, and a pale blue eye shadow on her eyes.The woman is wearing a mustard yellow dress with white ruffles along the neck.All she needs is a pair of roller skates and I’d think I was watching one of those old movies one of my foster mother’s used to love.
I take a seat at the counter and pick up the menu in front of me.I don’t have a lot of money with me and I really shouldn’t stop here, but I have no choice right now.
“My name’s Leah.I own this joint.Can I get you a drink while you look at the menu?”Leah asks me as I quickly glance at the drinks.
“Hi, Leah.I’m Wren.Um, can I please have some water?”I ask her, not wanting a soda to drink.
“Absolutely.Look over the menu and I’ll be right back with your water,” Leah says as I stand from my seat and follow the sign for the bathroom.
By the time I’m done and back at my seat, Leah has my water at my seat and I grab the menu once again.Nothing sounds good, but I know I need to eat.
“Have you made up your mind, Sweetheart?”Leah asks, walking back over to me.
“Can I please have a BLT with fries?Some brown gravy on the side if you have it?”I ask her, setting the menu back where I got it from and folding my hands in front of me.
“Of course.I’ll be back in a few minutes with your order.”
Soft music plays and I whisper the words of the song currently playing.My eyes land on the ice cream machine and I know I’ll have some ice cream before I get back on the road.While I wait for my food, I stretch out my body the best I can.It hurts and I’m stiff because of being in the car for two hours already.Grabbing my phone, I start to search for towns surrounding the area I’m currently in.It looks like there’s a lot of small towns and I don’t really want that.Eventually, I’d like to go to college and major in something I can do from anywhere.I’ve been thinking about getting my degree in accounting because I can use that anywhere.With maybe investments as a minor.
“Looking for someplace new?”Leah asks, walking up and setting my plate of food in front of me after I move my hands.
“Yeah.I’ve been in Briar Glen all my life and need a change of pace.Somewhere with a community college maybe,” I answer her as I pick up half of my sandwich and take a large bite.It’s absolutely perfect.“This is the best BLT I’ve ever had.”
“Thank you, Sweetheart,” Leah says, leaning on the counter behind her as she looks at me.“I don’t know what your story is and it’s not my place to get all up in your business if you don’t wanna talk.It looks like you could use a break though.I’ve got an apartment above the diner and could use some help here.If you’re not in a rush, you can take a look at the apartment and decide if you’d like to stay and maybe save some money.”
I was not expecting to be offered a place to stay and a job when I got off the exit for this diner.Shock fills me as I swallow the bite of food I just took and try to figure out what I want to say.
“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out before covering my mouth with my hand as Leah starts laughing.
“That’s okay.Even more of a reason for you to get off the road and take some time to plan your next move more carefully,” Leah reasons as she gives me a smile and I feel myself returning it.
“Thank you.I’d love to see the apartment when I’m done eating.”
“The only thing I’m gonna ask is if you got anyone chasing ya.I don’t care if you do, I just want to know beforehand,” she says and I can’t help but laugh because I can see this woman going toe-to-toe with any man who thinks they can push around a woman or anyone weaker than them.She just has that vibe to her.
“No.My baby’s dad doesn’t want anything to do with us.The only ones who might come looking for me are my foster brothers.We recently reconnected and I left without saying goodbye.They won’t hurt me though,” I promise Leah as I continue eating the most delicious food I’ve ever tasted.
“Useless assholes if you ask me,” Leah says as she moves closer to me.“I was married to my husband for most of my life.We were never blessed with any children of our own.My husband passed away about five years ago now and it’s just been me ever since.This diner was his dream and one of the only reasons I still run it every single day.”
“I don’t ever see that happening for myself.I’m just not good enough for a relationship or long-term anywhere.I will say that if I do take the job and apartment, it will only be temporary.Is that okay?I don’t want to let you down,” I ask Leah as I finish my food and push my plate towards her.
“You won’t be letting me down, Sweetheart.That apartment’s been empty for a long time now.Every now and then the right person comes along and it’s sitting there empty.This time, it’s meant to help you out of whatever situation you have going on.And, if you have the baby and are still here, there’s a second bedroom we can turn into a nursery.If you want to make any changes while you’re here, you’re more than welcome to.I’m not picky at all.The rent will be free because you’re saving me the trips up there to clean it and you’re going to work in the diner.A perk of the job, you could say,” Leah tells me and I stand up and pull the money from my pocket.“Meals on the house, Sweetheart.Let’s go take a look at the apartment and you can make your decision.”
I’d argue with Leah about paying for my food, but I can already tell she won’t change her mind.So, I leave the diner with her and follow her around the side of the building and up a set of stairs that appear as if they’ve recently been replaced.Leah unlocks the door for me and lets me go inside before her.The apartment is spacious and clean with lots of windows.It’s also already furnished with what appears to be brand-new furniture.I slowly walk into the living room and kitchen combination, taking in all the small details before moving toward the hallway.There’s a laundry room, two bedrooms, and a bathroom.The master bedroom also has a bathroom and large closet.It’s not quite a walk-in, but it’s almost as big as the room I was just evicted from.There’s thick carpeting on the floors and hardwood in the bathrooms, laundry room, and kitchen.I love it.
“I’ll take it,” I tell Leah without hesitation as she hands over the keys with a smile.
“Perfect.Grab your things and get some rest.I just made the bed with clean bedding yesterday when I was up here.If you need any food or anything, just come on down and we’ll make sure you eat.Gotta feed that baby,” she says before leaving me alone in the apartment.
After a few minutes, I walk downstairs and grab the bags and laundry basket from my car.I’m able to make one trip up the stairs instead of two as I plop my ass on the couch and sink into the deep cushions.It’s so damn comfortable and I can feel my eyes already sliding closed as I grab a blanket off the back and cover myself with it.Sleep claims me since I have a full stomach and this time I dream of Judge.