Rapture

8

I sit in my car looking up at the fluorescent signs and lights surrounding the building.

M A G G I E 'S  D I N E R

I sit there for a second taking in the old school vibe.
I finally get up and run through the rain to the door.

The door chimes when I open it and I step onto the welcome mat. I am instantly hit with a thick smell of pie and fries.

My stomach grumbles when I realize all I've had since lunch were cookies.

I walk in and go to sit on the stool in front of the counter.

"I'll be right with ya hon." The waitress behind the counter says as she goes to serve an old lady at the end coffee.

I look around and it's pretty dead in here. Aside from that old lady there's just an older couple in a booth in the back eating. I look out the windows behind me just as lighting strikes. It illuminates the sky up for just second with its vein like design.

I love storms.

"How are you doing tonight?" I turn back and the waitress is standing in front of me. I get a better look at her. Dull blue eyes, with chin level curly brown hair.

"I'm doing okay. How about you? Long shift?" I say back. She looks tired, like she'd rather be somewhere else.

"I'm surviving." She gives me a sad smile. "Long indeed." She adds.

After glancing at the menu I order a burger with no pickles, no cheese, no mayo with fries and a soda.

She looks at me oddly after I order.

"I have a dairy intolerance." I provide as if that explains the no pickles. But still that isn't that big of a demand or crazy order.

She nods and leaves to go place the order.

The old lady at the end eyes me suspiciously after overhearing our conversation.

Was my order really that bad?

The waitress comes back with my sprite and leaves to go talk to the old lady.

The old lady starts whispering animatedly and the waitress shakes her head as if disagreeing.

The old bat suddenly looks at me and I redirect my attention to my straw wrapper.

Am I about to be killed right now? Is this how I go out? Are they planning something cause I don't like pickles on my sandwich but rather whole and by itself? Is that why there are no kids here and only old people?

I shake my head. That's silly.

The lady start cleaning glasses near me.

"So, did the rush pass or is it a bad day?" I ask.

She turns to me and laughs. "It's always a bad day dear. We barely get anyone in here anymore."

"Really? You must be joking. It's so homey and cute in here." I say baffled.

"I'm pretty sure no one even knows we're here." She laughs. "Most of our customers are older who have been coming for awhile now."

"Well I would bring my friends but I only have like two."

"Only two friends?! Beautiful girl like you must have tons!"

I give her a small smile remembering all my friends from Mountainview.

"I used to. Turns out they weren't very genuine." "Besides," I go to sip my soda "I moved here for a fresh start." I throw an arm in the air. "Whatever that means."