7
"We'll need gas soon; I could certainly go for a sit-down meal; maybe a couple Coronas, a shower and a bed for tonight; I think we're far enough away to stop; we're past Alburquerque, we should make some decisions on what direction to head next."
"Sure, that sounds really good."
A few minutes further there are signs for a place that has several amenities. We pull into a roadside café, it looks empty, all the lights are on. We enter, 2 old guys are at a corner table drinking coffee.
We slide into a booth; a Latino gal approaches with a coffee pot.
"Good evening." She has a distinct accent.
"Coffee?" Her name tag says Juanita.
"Uh, no thanks Juanita, could we get menus and 2 Coronas please?"
"Sorry, we no liquor, Sunday we close at 7, Charlie clean da grille alreadee." We look at each other dejected.
"We've been travelling nearly 20 hours, could you recommend a decent place to eat, get a beer, maybe a clean motel?"
"Si, ya, I show juu." She undoes her apron, tosses it on the counter.
"Charlie, I'm outta here, Gus and Bill are out here. I'm off tomorrow, biya." She dumps the tip jar into her purse, and we exit together.
"You follow, good food."
She gets into a Jeep, and we follow.
"Beth, I never looked wantonly at a woman before yesterday, but Juanita's sexy, I'd certainly do her, she's luscious, a great figure, ya see those tits." K cups her hands and gestures like she's lifting 2 huge boobs.
"I love her Latino accent it's mysterious, seductive."
"Oh, now isn't this miss prissy whining about me cheating a few hours ago, huh?" I poke her boob. We both chuckle.
Juanita pulls into a parking lot with several vehicles, mostly pickup trucks: there's a large flashing red neon cowboy boot and the words 'Boot Scootin' indicating a western bar.
"Here great food, Coronas, and fun. I like come here after work."
We enter, as our eyes are adjusting, I realize we're still dressed the way we were when entering 'Gulps' and receive an even more boisterous welcome from these patrons, catcalls, and cheers. It's a rowdy, loud, bustling, western bar, likely 40 people, mostly in western attire, jeans, oversize shiny belt buckles, boots, Stetsons, checkered shirts. Several gals in western skirts, but mostly jeans. Ther's a live country band, a dozen dancers. It smells like beer and sawdust.
Juanita greets several people by name on route to an empty booth.
"Ola Sally," Jaunita greets the server.
Sally's 40ish, typical wester garb, plaid shirt, jeans and boots, hair tied up, chewing gum, tray in one hand, pen stuck behind her ear.
"Chicken fingers, for me."
"Choices." I ask.
"Burgers, chicken fingers, fish, all served with fries."
"Fish and Chips please." I respond.
"Cheeseburger, no onions," K winks at me, I smile.
"Drinks?" Sally asks as she's writing our order on one of those small restaurant pads.
"3 Horonaas Hameego" Juanita adds excitedly in her Spanish accent.
"Sally, was dey here today?"
"Yes, Juanita," Sally frowns, she looks heartbroken.
"Sorry," She rubs the back of Juanita's hand.
"They were here for lunch, drank all afternoon, left about 1/2 hour ago."
There's an uncomfortable silence as we sense something amiss.
She whispers.
"Unhook my bra please." Twists on the bench, turning her back to me
"Where you headed?" Juanita asks; I unhook the clasps. She tugs the shoulder straps out her sleeves, removing each arm, undoes 2 buttons on her uniform, reaches in, with a deft, experienced move, pulls her bra from under her blouse.
"Hate wearing deez, dey so restricting." Her ample, nearly exposed cleavage induces K's stare, she is nearly drooling. I see them exchange lusty gazes; I sense a knowing connection between them.
She puts the red lacy item in her purse, and sets a 20 on the table, as Sally sets down 3 Corona.
"Somewhere it doesn't snow." I answer.
"Ohha, desteenation nowhere; you running from sumting, or sumone?" She lifts her beer, we tap bottles.
"Tell me mind my beeseeness if juu want; I just curious," She peers at K, again locking eyes, as she tips her beer taking a rather large swig, maintaining the sultry gaze.
"I don't meet many women travelers; I grew up here, I know everyone in deez place except juu 2?"
"I'm K, for Katrina. Small town, no future, I wanted out since I was 12." She raises her beer, and a wink.
"I'm Beth." Hoisting my Carona.
Sally arrives, with 3 more Corona's.
"Clem's paid for the beer Juanita."
I look over, a tall, lanky fellow tips his tan Stetson back with his beer, and nods.
"I left a dead-end relationship, I felt used and unnecessary in." I let a good amount of Corona drain down my gullet. First beer gone; our food is set before us.
"Smells great, looks good," I take a bite.
"Tastes better."
"That's exactly what you said about me when we met." K chuckled but was looking at Juanita to gauge her reaction.
Juanita resumes the friendly interrogation.
"You 2 lovers?" She looks at me quizzically.
"Cool, if juu are, I fantasize lesabeeyen for years." Between bites she adds.
"I opportunity, a couple year hago, feel guilty to cheat on hubby, lose my nerve, damn, no chance since." I wave to Sally gesturing another round, as we finish eating.
Clem approaches, his thumbs hooked in his jeans on either side of a big oval, shiny, buckle. He's likely 6'2" appears very strong, blonde hair, blue eyes, probably the hottest guy in the county, and he knows it.
"You here for a good time or a long time, pretty lady?" With a slight bow, he lifts his cowboy hat and holds it under his left arm, combs his fingers through his thick hair.
