Passion In James County IX
Indiscretions
By D.C. Roi
Chapter five
Mitch stopped at the diner after work the second day in a row. Any questions he might have had about how Bonnie felt about his doing that were answered by the big smile she flashed him when he walked in. Bonnie was the only one visible in the diner, which didn't surprise Mitch, given the fact that it was fairly late. He wondered where the waitress was.
He took a seat on one of the stools and Bonnie came over. Today she was wearing a snug-fitting denim skirt that buttoned down the front, a white T-shirt, and a paisley vest.
"Hi, Mitch," she said, flushing faintly. "What are you having tonight?"
"Hi, Bonnie," Mitch replied. "Bacon cheeseburger, onion rings, and a cola. Where's your help?"
"Cindy's out back, cleaning up the dishes," Bonnie told him. She put the burger patty and bacon on the grille, then got Mitch's soda and put it in front of him. "I have to close up tonight," she said.
"Oh?" Mitch replied. That wasn't the news he wanted to hear.
"My husband's sick in bed," she said.
"So you're stuck here until midnight?" Mitch said, sipping of his cola.
Bonnie nodded. "I'm afraid so," she said. She looked at him a bit more carefully. "How come the sad look?"
"I thought maybe I could see you again tonight," Mitch said.
"Oh," Bonnie replied. She felt her face get hotter. "Ah...I...we...we really can't tonight." She turned around and flipped his burger.
"Would you mind if I stopped by for a cup of coffee near closing time?" Mitch asked.
"Ah...I...I guess that...it would be OK," Bonnie replied. She wanted to see Mitch again, but not in the diner. Why in hell did her husband have to be sick, anyhow? She finished Mitch's order, put it on a plate, and set the plate in front of him.
Mitch ate his meal, drank a second soda, then he got up and walked to the cash register.
"Cindy will be out of here by twelve-thirty," Bonnie said softly as she handed him his change. "I'll leave the back door unlocked and keep some coffee on."
"I'll see you," Mitch said. He took his change from Bonnie, letting his fingers caress her hand as he did.
A tingle raced up Bonnie's arm when Mitch's fingers touched her hand. "Damn!" she thought, holding her hand to her chest, "I wish Bill wasn't sick!"
Mitch went back to his apartment and watched TV. After the late news ended, he checked his watch and decided to walk to the diner.
"See you tomorrow, Cindy," Bonnie said.
"Good night, Bonnie," the waitress replied and headed for the door. Before she went out, Cindy stopped and turned. "Do you want me to come in early tomorrow, in case Mr.Markham's till sick?" she asked.
"That might be a good," Bonnie said. "It's liable to be busy tomorrow night." She glanced at the clock. It was twelve-thirty. She and Cindy had worked hard to get things cleaned up once the diner closed. Nothing remained to be done, except to wash the coffee maker, which still held a pot of coffee.
Cindy walked out the front door. Bonnie locked it behind her, then she turned out most of the lights in the dining area. The only light came from a neon light surrounding the big round clock on the wall.
"Hi," Mitch said from the doorway between the dining area and the kitchen. He'd come in the back door just as Cindy was going out the front.
Bonnie, startled to hear his voice, turned and smiled. "Hi, Mitch," she said, brushing her hair nervously. "I left the coffee on. Want a cup?"
"Sure," Mitch replied.