Every Other Freckle

Chapter 2

It was a cold and mucky day out. The roads were drenched, and the side walks were covered in muddy water. I had to fish out my old umbrella from the depths of my coat closet. It barely rains in North Carolina, but as they say- April showers bring May flowers.

I left my apartment, locking the door and continuing on the rickety almost broken metal stairs to get to my car. My car was rickety and almost broken as well. With my money situation, I could only afford a junk car.

Revving up the ancient engine, I was on my way through the rain to the Crab Shack. Since it was noon, people wanting lunch were soon to come in.

The bell by the door ringed as I walked in. "Hey Carrie" I greeted the waitress I do my hours with. She had straight blond hair, and wore a bunch of eye makeup. She had a small, cute nose and big green eyes that you could barely see with all the eye makeup.

"Hi Finn. It's gonna be a slow day today." she replied, looking to the window by the front door at the rain. I nodded my head in agreement and took a seat by the bar. Out bartender Dave was no where to be found yet, so I snuck a free coke and sat sipping it.

Although this restaurant was old, I loved it. We do this thing where people can leave a tip of a dollar, and write their name or draw something on the dollar bill. We then hang that dollar on the walls or in the bar hut.

Looking around the place, the walls were almost completely covered in signed dollar bills, with fishing trinkets and random posters here and there. I try to read what people say on the dollars. Someone wrote a full on inspirational paragraph. Another person drew a suit on George Washington. Another person just plain and simple signed "Joe" in big blocky letters.

There was probably over 100 dollars worth of 1 dollar bills. I'm surprised no one takes the money, but I guess it's worthless once someone writes on currency.

Carrie disappeared to the back room, and I was left alone, drinking my coke.

Then, he walked in.

He was a handsome man, around my age. He fashioned a black tanktop and some khaki shorts. He had moderately darkened skin, probably spent most of his time on the beach trying to tan. This guy seemed like the rugged surfer type due to his dirty blond hair. Just...judging the book by its cover.

I hopped up off the bar seat and went over to the check in counter.

"Just one?" I asked, grabbing a menu from under the desk.

"Yeah" he replied, looking a little embarrassed that it was just him. He scratched the back of his neck and waited for me to do something. I only realized then that I was staring at him for two seconds two long, and snapped to my senses.

"Oh, sorry, this way." I rushed out, walking over to an empty booth seat and put his menu on the table. He followed me, and slid into the booth. He proceeded to pick up the menu and start flipping through.

"Can I start you off with a drink?" I asked him after a few seconds.

"I'll have a Dr. Pepper please." he requested. I nodded my head and hurried off to the bar.

How stupid am I. Why was I staring at him for so long, I made myself look like an idiot. As I reached to get a glass, Carrie came out of the backroom. She went to sit at the bar and saw that we actually had a customer.

"Oh," she said slightly shocked, "I didn't think we'd get any customers today, it's awful out there."

I made a sound of agreement and started pouring his Dr. Pepper in the glass. Usually people come here to eat when they're on the beach, but since it was raining so hard and no one was actually on the beach, a customer was rare.