Danielle sighed as she counted her tips again, $4.57. Not a good Afternoon at all. She took a plate of Fried Catfish and fries to table 6, where Mr. Strenk was sitting, smiling, she sat the plate in front of him and poured him some more water.
"Thank you sweetie"He said as he adjusted his wheelchair closer to the table, " You are a dear." "I'll be back and check on you in a while" she said "Do you need anything else?"
"Just show me that pretty smile one more time" he said as he smiled up at her. She laughed, gathered up a menu from the empty table next to him, put her pen in her pocket and went back to the Waitress station.
Jose the dishwasher was clearing tables, he looked at her and winked. She pretended not to see him and looked the work schedule in front of her. Damn she thought she had to close tonight.
She heard a tittering and looked over to the corner to where the other waitress Natalie was flirting with her boyfriend. Natalie of the blonde hair skinny waist and big tits. Brad was touching her ass and whispering in her ear. She blushed and giggled. No doubt he was telling her what he would do to her after work.
The only other customer was Mr. Strenk quietly eating his dinner and staring out the window. He was a regular here he would come in three times a week and get the Senior special. His nephew would come pick him up at 745 Sharp, 15 minutes before they closed.
A nice old man she thought, and he always left a 5 dollar tip for her.
She looked back at Brad and Natalie and felt that familiar pang of jealousy. Her last boyfriend,, her only Boyfriend. Jeremy and her had broken up three months ago. He still would call on her every other week,, he would come to her apartment all smiles and lies and end up having sex with her, but it was just him using her and she knew it.
After he left she would cry and drink and tell herself she wouldn't give into him again, but her resolve would crumble under the wants and needs of her 22 year old Body.
She would actually satisfy herself a few times a week much better then Jeremy did. He was an impatient lover, who didn't like to kiss and liked her to go down on him, never returning the favor. When they did have intercourse it never lasted more than 2 minutes,,, he would frantically thrust into her and sate himself, often leaving within minutes. Their last encounter consisted of him sitting on the couch with his pants around his ankles while she sucked him, not even getting undressed. He climaxed in her mouth, grabbing her hair and making her eyes water as his semen spurted down her throat. .. she got up, eyes watering, and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Jeremy would never go near her until she did so, and when she came back he was gone. She sat on the couch and wept as she heard his motorcycle start up and take off out of the parking lot,,, its throaty growl the final insult to her womanhood. She drank a few beers, took some Tylenol PM and finally dozed off to sleep. She woke up 3 in the morning her loins aching,, needing release. She expertly worked the nub of her clit, squeezing her nipples with the other hand,, writhing and moaning in her empty bed bringing herself to climax again and again,,then drifting back to a fitful sleep.
Danielle started closing out the cash register, totaling up the credit cards, checks and cash and dropping them into the drop slot of the safe. Mr. Wagner would check tomorrow and drop the money off at the bank. Natalie and Brad walked up to the door.
"You got closing tonight babe" Natalie said. " I'm going to take off a little early since no one is here"
"OK Natalie" Danielle answered smiling sweetly.
Bitch, she thought.
The cook and Jose also left, hanging their hats up by the time clock behind the counter.
Mr. Strenk was wheeling himself to the door, so she smiled and opened it for him.
Dammit ,, it was raining. He went out on the covered porch and waited for his nephew.
Danielle finished the paperwork and readied to lock up. She took the keys out and went on the porch not looking forward to the drive home in the rain. She heard a gasp and looked to see Mr. Strenk sitting rigidly in his wheelchair. He was slightly paler then usual his right hand twitched.
Panic seized Danielle. Oh God,,, please don't have a heart attack or something here... she hurriedly checked her purse for her cell phone. "Are you OK" she asked as she fumbled for her phone, dropping her hairbrush.
Mr. Strenk's color came back.. he seemed to relax and he looked up and smiled "Yes dear... I'm a little out of sorts but it was just a spell"
Danielle breathed a sigh of relief.. Thank God she thought.
She touched his head, it was cool to the touch, and she could feel his pulse through the thin skin.
"You are an angel" he said smiling up at her she put her hand on his shoulder. He reached up and held her hand. "Thank you for looking out for me."
They stayed on the porch her hand on his shoulder and the rain falling until his nephew pulled up and helped him get into the car. She held an umbrella while he used the lift to get him into the passenger seat and loaded the wheelchair into the trunk.
She got back on the porch and watched them drive away the taillights a red blur in the falling raindrops.
She walked around the side of the restaurant to make sure the Fire Exit door was locked. Then went back inside to make sure all the lights were out. She came back outside and started to lock the front door.
"Excuse me.." a voice said.
Danielle jumped, dropping the keys, her heart pounding.
"I'm sorry ma'am ,, I didn't mean to make you jump" the voice said again, sounding embarrassed.
She turned and looked and saw a young man standing on the porch, wearing a uniform, water dripping from his cap.
"It's OK,," she said "I just didn't know you were there"
"Ma'am" he said again awkwardly "is this where the bus for Camp Cooke stops?"
"Umm I don't think so,,,, it never has before" she answered looking at him as he came into the porch light.
He was tall and athletically built, with dark hair and brown eyes. He had a small birthmark between his eyes and a strong jaw and full lips. He had a five o'clock shadow starting to sprout and he looked travel weary.
"Well is this Johnson's Restaurant?" he said "that's where the bus is supposed to pick me up"
"Yes," Danielle said "I guess you have the right place,,, when does it supposed to stop?"
"According to my orders at midnight" he answered.
"That's four hours from now,, and its pouring rain" she said.
He looked her in the eyes and said "I've seen lots worse"
Danielle's heart skipped. His eyes were deep and meaningful, and she could read the sorrow in them when he spoke those words.
She unlocked the door to the restaurant and motioned for him to follow.
"Let me make you some coffee" she said.
"I don't want to put you out Ma'am" he said hesitating at the door, "'Besides I don't want to get your floor wet"
"Number one" she said" Please stop calling me Ma'am.. Im only 22..My Name is Danielle and number two, the floors will dry off, and so will you once you get in here"
She had him set his bag by the door and sit at the table by the counter while she put on the coffee pot.
He took his hat off and set at the counter. She got out two cups and saucers, the cream and sugar and set them in front of him. He sat quietly looking at his hands, watching the fingers move as he flexed them.
"Well" she said "I've told you my name... what's yours?"
"Im sorry" he said, cheeks reddening, " I go by Mick, but lately its been just Sergeant."
"How long have you been in the Army?" she asked.
His eyes met hers and he said in a clipped tone "I'm a Marine,, Im not in the Army"
"I'm sorry she said", in a hurt tone" I don't know anything about the military"
His eyes softened "No, Im the one that should apologize,,, I know you didn't mean anything by it"
"What are those medals for?" she said pointing at his chest.
"Well the purple one is for getting shot" He answered
"And the others?" she asked.
"For shooting someone else" he said quietly.
"Oh" she said.
