Fused

Chapter 10: Friends and Nachos

Jose's stood as an independent building on the corner of a little strip mall. It was a much older building than the Sandwich Shop and Yogurt Factory that were next door and The Coffee Stop which was three doors down. It had indoor and outdoor seating areas and when we pulled into the parking lot I could see that the outdoor bistro tables were already filling up with students from our school. The lot was so full we had to park down in front of The Coffee Stop and walk a little ways. I looked around cautiously hoping not to see the dark sedan we encountered in the school parking lot. Janelle seemed to be scanning the area as well. I saw nothing out of the ordinary. I grabbed my wallet out of my backpack and left my books in the backseat of Courtney's car. Courtney did the same, but Janelle took her bag with her. She was joking herself if she actually thought we'd do any studying. But I imagine Janelle had her daily planner in her bag. Something she was rarely without.

As we approached, I noticed there was only one table outside still open, so Courtney grabbed it for us while Janelle and I went to order. The interior of the restaurant was very small and its red walls were in desperate need of a new coat of paint. Pictures of chili peppers and pottery had been hung around to cover the areas of crumbling dry wall. The air smelled of handmade tortillas and fresh cut peppers. An old television hung in the rear corner was airing a Mexican soccer game. I didn't know if it was a game being played now or a recording on a loop. No one seemed to be paying attention to it. A green plastic cart that functioned as the salsa bar sat just to the right of the counter. There was enough space for an isle way and single row of tables along the right wall, five total, and they were all occupied. Most of the seating was located outdoors.

The outdoor patio area was nice. There were several wrought iron tables and chairs enclosed in a small gated area you could only enter from the restaurant interior. A few patio heaters were spread out but were seldom used. Flower pots holding geraniums, snapdragons and marigolds hung from the edge of the patio roof and were positioned on the floor in the corners. They added a nice splash of Spring color to the surroundings.

Janelle and I approached the counter; no one was in line, so we took our time to read the menu.

"What do you want?" I asked Janelle.

"I'm not sure, how about some nachos?" Nachos at Jose's weren't just a few chips smothered with cheese. It was a heaping pile of chips in one of those cardboard to go boxes covered with carne asada, jalapenos and cheese. Mmmmmm.

"That sounds good. How about we get one order and share? Here's five bucks to pay for half." She pulled a crumpled five-dollar bill from her pocket and handed it to me.

"That sounds good to me. Courtney may even eat some." I approached the counter and ordered the nachos and three drinks. Janelle took her cup and filled it at the soda fountain then went to our table to relieve Courtney of table babysitting duty, so she could come in and fill her drink. I was waiting at the counter for our order when Courtney came in. Our food wasn't ready yet, so I joined her at the soda fountain and filled my cup as well.

"Hey Jos, Maddie and Devin are here. They're going to sit with us okay?"

"Oh, that's great." Sort of. Courtney smiled then returned to the patio to join the other girls. When I turned back to the counter a few more people had made their way in and a line was starting to form. I heard my order number called out and saw our nachos sitting on a tray waiting for me. I grabbed the tray and then made my way to our table through the crowd that was quickly forming.

"Popular place today," I said as I arrived at our table barely managing not to drop anything. My cup teetered on the edge of the tray as I set it down and slid it to the center of the table, so we could all share the nachos. With the edge of the tray I gently pushed a vase holding a deflated daisy to the side.