Disclaimers and what-not:
This story came about after a huge snow storm blew across the area in the last couple of weeks. A co-worker of mine shared her unpleasant adventure of driving home in the storm, and well that just got me thinking. It wasn't long before the ideas were flying and my fingers were typing the words you will soon read. It's just a short story --- a little tease. I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you to my beta reader for your faith and input.
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The snow fell heavily. Large wet flakes covered the ground quickly in a blanket of white. It continued to fall without mercy, as if there would be no end to it. The Transportation Department had already declared the roads to be dangerous to drive. Announcements were made to stay indoors and not risk travel of any kind. Temperatures had dropped, and the already accumulated six inches were going to freeze overnight making the roads worse with ice.
Harper just wanted to get home. She was ecstatic to receive the email encouraging employees to go home due to the snowstorm. Not one for hesitating, she shut down her computer, gathered her belongings, and wished her fellow co-workers a safe journey. She was grateful for her little black four-wheel drive Chevy Tracker as she dodged three Fedex trucks that slid or were in the process of sliding into the ditch. "Damn it, what is wrong with these people? Do they not see the weather condition? Just because you're driving a big truck, doesn't mean you can go your usual ludicrous speed across the snow. Idiots!"
The roads were atrocious, and with the amount of traffic, people driving in a panic, sliding around or getting stuck, it was going to take her a lot longer to get home. She finally made it to the intersection of Broadway and Higgins after an hour in traffic. "Shit, at this rate, it's going to take me three hours to get home on a normally twenty minute commute." Making a left turn at the traffic light, she was grateful she had hesitated when a pickup truck slid through the intersection. "Jesus, why doesn't anyone know how to drive?! And why the hell does this backwards town not believe in plowing the streets as soon as the ground is covered?!" Heart racing, she reluctantly pulled into the near empty parking lot of the small local diner she frequented often, regretting that she didn't use the restroom before leaving the office.
Harper was surprised and grateful the place was open as her bladder began to scream at her. She raced inside, noticing there were only a small handful of folks dining. Upon exiting the ladies room, she overheard a couple of older men at one table comment how better it would be if people waited until the snow tapered off in order to make visibility and driving more feasible. Curious, she turned around and asked, "Has it been announced what time it may stop snowing?"
The gentleman with the wool cap, and gray beard smiled kindly as he answered. "Oh it will clear up in about two hours. It makes for better driving, ya know."
"Thank you," she answered with a nod, agreeing with his assessment. Harper sighed, and figured she might as well take a seat. She hadn't had lunch yet, and she was definitely hungry.
Maybe then all this craziness with these idiotic drivers would be mostly over. Why the hell did I move to this town? Oh yeah, job transfer and better pay.
She sighed again.
Better make the best of it then.
She sat down at a booth near the huge front windows and grabbed the menu wedged behind the condiment bottles against the wall.
"Hi there hon, whatcha having today?" the older waitress asked as she set down a tall glass of Coke.
Harper smiled because a sip of her favorite drink is just what she needed right now. She was pleased that she had become one of the diner "regulars" in the few months coming here. It was humorous how the few waitresses were already very familiar with her eating habits. "I'll have the Reuben today, Sheryl."
"Extra cheese, dressing on the side with fries and a half order of onion rings?" the waitress inquired, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, thanks." Harper grinned as the waitress walked away. Reaching for her coat to pull out her phone, she decided to look at the radar map while she waited. She searched one pocket, and then the other.
Oh it's probably in my purse.
She looked on the bench seat, thinking she brought her purse in.
Okay, apparently I left it in the car.
Shrugging her coat back on, she quickly said to Sheryl passing by, "I'm just getting my purse from the car."
"Oh sure thing, hon," the redhead casually answered back.
Harper automatically shoved her hand in the coat pocket again for the keys, and then realized that the keys were never there when she was looking for the phone.
Shit! Shit! Shit!
Taking a deep breath, she reflexively tried to open the door, praying to any and every god that she would have left it unlocked. When the door didn't budge, she let out the breath she had been holding, and still tried to remain calm. She brushed the heavy wet snow from off the driver's side window, and spied the keys sitting directly on top of her purse which was sitting on the center console. "Fuck!!" She wanted to cry, but couldn't, knowing it was no use. "How could this happen? These things never happen to me!" Aggravated beyond any patience that once existed, Harper went to kick the back tire only to find that it was completely flat. "Are you fucking kidding me?!?!" She exclaimed in wide-eyed disbelief.
I must be in the Twilight Zone. That's got to be the answer for all this shit happening.
Feeling defeated, and very cold now from the blistering winds, she trudged back inside the diner.
As soon as she resumed her seat, the waitress came by with her hot food. The redhead felt something was amiss since her customer just stared down at the table. "Are you alright hon?"
Not being able to look up at her, Harper embarrassedly said, "I've accidentally locked my keys, purse, and phone in the car."
"Oh hon that's awful." Sheryl felt terrible, and wasn't sure what to do, so without another word, she walked off into the kitchen.
Now what the hell am I going to do? They're probably going to throw me out.
Harper quickly wiped at the tear that threatened to spill. She had to think of a solution.
**************
"Tommie, I've got a regular at booth four who's in a real quandary out there."
Ocean blue eyes looked over at the redhead. "What kind of quandary?" The owner of the diner questioned immediately. Tommie listened carefully, to the long time employee who had grown to become like family. "Hmm, alright, I'll take care of it."
"Thanks Tommie, you're a doll." Sheryl said as she lovingly pinched the tall owner's cheek, knowing full well that it irked the hell out of her boss.
"Whatever," Tommie responded as she pulled away. "Hey, what the hell are you still doing here anyways? I told you to go home over an hour ago." Blue eyes stared at the waitress sternly with arms crossed over a broad chest.
"I know, but I wanted to get some stuff cleaned up before leaving. Plus we still have two tables out there, and George is still here cooking. You know I just live down the street, it's no big deal." George was the main cook. A big burly veteran, who always dreamed of being a chef, and proved to be an excellent cook and comrade to Tommie and the waitresses.
"Sheryl, don't give me your crap, you know full well George owns a Hummer, and his stubborn ass isn't going to leave until I lock up. And I know you live down the street, but by the time you traipse through this knee high blizzard to walk home you'll be frozen. I don't wish that on you, okay? Just go on home. We'll tally up your pay the day after tomorrow, when we reopen, unless you need it right now."
"No, I'm good. Alright, hon I'll check on the customers one more time and then leave, okay? You and George be careful when you close up, and hopefully that won't be too long from now." The redhead commented as she walked out of the kitchen.
Tommie shook her head in disbelief at the feisty employee and good friend. She set down the inventory clip board, and stepped into the dining area through the swinging door. Looking over at booth four, she instantly cringed upon seeing who was sitting there looking so despondent.
Goddamn it! Why her?! Why does it have to be her?? Damn. Damn. Damn. Ever since she started coming in here, I've been doing what I can to avoid her.
The tall owner silently moved behind the counter and turned around with her back to the tables, pretending to make more coffee, so she could calm herself down without notice.
Ugh! Why does she have so be so damn beautiful? Even in her state now, being so upset, I just want to grab her and kiss her senseless and make it all better --- make her feel so damn good. Oh my god!! Calm the hell down cowboy! Get your hormones in check. Jeez, has it been so long since I've had sex last? Alright, calm down --- calm. You will be just as cool and suave as you are with anyone else.
Finally taking a very deep breath, she waltzed casually towards the booth.
Harper didn't know what she was going to do. Even if someone was kind enough to give her a ride home, she couldn't get into her apartment.
Maybe I could borrow some change to call AAA to open the car... and change the tire. And what would be the chances they say, 'not today lady'. Ugh! How could I be such an idiot?!
Suddenly she was snapped out of her thoughts when a voice addressed her.
"Hey there, you know the food tastes better when it's still hot," the owner said as she slid into the booth across from the blonde. The most beautiful sea green eyes looked up at her in surprise.
Bloody hell, just kill me now. Of all the people, why you? I can't speak. If I do, I'll sound like a freak or an alien. What could I tell her? 'Why yes I did lock myself out of my car with everything in it, and yes I'm a natural blonde ha ha ha, oh and one more thing, would you please fuck my brains out cause you're the hottest thing I've ever seen and I want you so bad'. She'll shoot me and run out screaming! God ever since I discovered this place, I try my damnedest to catch a glimpse of her for my own twisted fantasies and now she's sitting right here in front of me.
