Lakesview

Chapter 3 (Diner)

Grandpa Holt pulled into the parking lot of Zoe's Diner. And unbuckled about to get out.

"Do you wanna come into? Or do you know what you want and just want me to go?" He asked me, I thought about it for a second. Why not.

"I will come with you, " I unbuckled the seatbelt and opened the truck door. It's around 6:45 so dinner time and the sun was getting ready to set among the beautiful pine forest surrounding the town. The town was rather big but small too if that made sense. It was beautiful or at least what I saw. We passed a flower shop, outlet mall, antique store, and one of three, I believe grandpa Holt said when we passed one earlier and a few other shops. The sign on top of Zoe's was brightened by lights. The walls on either side of the front door had large windows. It really looked like any '60s themed restaurant you'd see in movies. Grandpa Holt opened the door for me and the bell above rang, gathering a few people's attention.

"Thanks, " I said and ducked under his arm. Cold air conditioning hit me and blew my hair out of my face. Holt put his hand on my back and walked me to the cash register on the bar. The lady, about late 20's to early 30's, in a light pink, white collard dress which I think is the uniform, looked up from her notepad. She had her ash blonde hair tied back in a pony and a white telephone held between her shoulder and head as she wrote down orders. She smiles at my grandfather and wiggles her fingers in a wave.

"Ok! Your order should be ready in around 30 minutes. See you soon Joey." she hangs up the phone and puts the order on a clip in a glass-less winder to the kitchen. When she turned back to us with her smile she asked "Holt how are you this evening?"

Grandpa Holt looked at her and politely smiled back. "I'm good Dot, how about you?"

"I'm good, I'm good. It's a Saturday night and I'm here till closing. It will be worth it when I can get Liam his birthday present."

"That's right, he'll be, what? 25?" Woah, there's a hint of a chuckle in his tone. Dot let out a laugh and called her hands together.

"He still has a long way to go before he reaches 25 and even then he'll probably be on my couch. No, he will be 5. He's excited. Counting down the next two weeks on the car's calendar mom got him." I looked up at the menu and my eyes started searching for the kid's menu. I enjoy eating off it cause I can memorize A) what I want. B) The portions are something I can finish. "And who is this lovely lady?" I heard Dot say and turn to her.

"Summer, " I said reaching my hand out to shake hers.

"Dot, it's a please to me you." she shook my hand gently.

"You too, " I smiled gently in return to hers.

"Summer will be living with me. She's Mia's kid in case you haven't noticed." Dot gasped and reached towards her chest.

"I thought she looked familiar. She's just as gorgeous too." I lightly blushed and looked away and muttered a quiet 'thank you'.

"She is, we are on our way home from the Portland airport and just stopped for dinner." Grandpa Holt told her.

"Oh of course. I always start talking to the customer then forget they must come here for the food. What can I get you?" Dot asked and got the cashier ready and her pencil and pad. Grandpa Holt looked at me with a raised brow.

I turned to Dot and looked back up at the menu I've her head. "I'll take a grilled cheese and fruit cup." I'm not really one for French fries unless they come from Chick- fil- a, McDonald's, or Whataburger. Luckily they had fruit.

"And to drink?" I looked over at drinks but decided on water for now. I should have at least one healthy thing.

"Water, please. Thank you." Grandpa Holt ordered a deluxe burger that has everything on it plus an extra patty and strips of bacon and onion rings on the side. Just as he was about to pay my stomach rumbled loudly. Both adults looked at me. "Can I get a kid's chicken fingers too? Thanks." That was me realizing I didn't have a proper lunch. I had breakfast and a bag of goldfish and some beef jerky. So, why not order an extra meal. After paying she asked if it was for here or to go. Holt looked at me and I shrugged saying I don't care if we eat here. And that's what he chose. I get it we are both hungry and the food wouldn't be as warm when we got to the house. I grabbed us a booth about two both from the door and to the right of the register and sat on the side that faced the front door. Holt stayed by the bar waiting for our food.

This place is pretty cool. There's even a jukebox that seems to be playing music through speakers. I have a view of the bar where Holt is, the register and kitchen, and the door. Currently is 'Aint No Mountain High Enough' by Marvin Gaye. I bob my head to the song and tap my foot. The bell from above the door rings, signaling someone entering. I looked up to see a group of boys and girls entering. There were three boys and two girls. One boy, in particular, caught my attention. He has shaggy black hair and blue eyes. He looked around the diner and took in it's empty feeling and pastel colors. His eyes stopped on me and for just a moment we stared. I might be going crazy though because his eyes just seem to glow. One of his friends grabs his shoulder breaking our creating contest. He looks at him. His friends has brown hair, neatly gelled back, and brown eyes. He's wearing a varsity jacket as far as I can tell whereas blue eyes have on a brown leather jacket. The third boy in the group is blonde with green eyes. His arm is draped around a pale girl with ginger hair and green eyes. The last girl has the same features as the first but her hair is more strawberry blonde and her eyes brown. They took a seat in the corner on the opposite side of the diner. Blue eyes looked at me once more from his seat then turned his attention back to his gang of friends just as grandpa Holt sat down with two bags of food that smelt like heaven.

He starts takes ng the food out of the bag. On his side of the table is his huge burger and a large onion, with a large ice tea. On my side is my grilled cheese, chicken fingers, bowl of fruit, and medium water. I started unwrapping the paper from my sandwich and took the first bite. I closed my eyes while I chewed and enjoyed the melted cheesy bread. Delicious.

"So good, " I whispered as my hungry alien tummy was finally fed.

"Zoe's has the best food in town." Holt said simply then Proceeded to eat his burger as I ate my food, in silence.