Rock Me

Grindel's Grub Hub

Allie Grindel stood at the counter of her Grandfathers Deli. Her mind was a million miles away as she stared out the window. The lunch rush had just finished and she was resting her chin on her arms against the counter top. Her grandfather came out from the back room. "Allie honey, you look exhausted. You've been here since 6am. Go home, call your friends, go out and enjoy your birthday."
"Oh Poppy, you worry to much. I'm fine. I'm to old to go out bar hopping til all hours of the night anyway." Allie said smiling. Her grandfather laughed and hugged her.

She started wiping down the counter glass and tables out in the eating area. She'd worked in her Grandfathers deli for as long as she could remember. It was as much home to her as her one bedroom apartment in Brooklyn.

She had just ended a 4 year relationship with her boyfriend James. He had never been right for her. He'd cheated on her too many times to count and she'd taken him back every time. After 4 years of betrayal, Allie had finally had enough. Sadly the final blow was when James had cheated on her with another woman who ironically was named Allie. She'd sat in the living room of their apartment sobbing and asking him why, and his response, "You're to fat Allie. Lose weight and maybe someone will love only you." He'd broken her heart and even though it had taken 4 years, she'd finally reached her limit. She had gained about 60 pounds, she was what most would call plus sized. She'd been through a lot in the past few years. Her failed relationship with James, her mother had passed away 3 years prior from breast cancer. All she had left in the world was her friends and Poppy. He'd always been there for her and her Mom.

Allie stared out the window watching people pass by their midtown deli. Poppy came back out, "Allie, honey, I'm ordering you, go out and enjoy the rest of your birthday. You only turn 32 once you know."

"I know Poppy, Clare is still at work, she doesn't even get off work until 5:00. I'd rather hang out here with my best guy than go home and be alone with my cat." Allie said.

"Suit yourself sweetie, but you don't have to stay." Poppy said kissing her forehead.
"I know Poppy. Thank you."

A few mins later as she was sweeping the floors, she heard the bell ring as someone came through the door.
"Good afternoon, I'll be right with you." she said without looking up. "No worries dear." said a deep male voice. Allie looked up at him. He smiled and  Allie's heart fluttered. "So I hear if I want a great sandwich, this is the place to come." he said lightly.

"Well I don't know who told you that but they're absolutely correct." Allie smiled back.
"Are you the owner?" He asked. "No, my grandfather owns it. I'm third generation, so one day it will be mine." She answered.
"So you're sort of the princess of the deli?" He winked. "I guess I am." she laughed. At this point she was behind the counter washing her hands. "So what can I get you?" she asked putting her gloves on. "Hmm well what do you recommend?" "Well as you can tell, I've enjoyed them all a little too much." she said feeling insecure. He was really handsome and very charming. "Oh don't be so hard on yourself." he said. Allie got nervous, "well I would recommend the Grub Club, it's got pretty much everything and it's Ah-ma-zing." "That sounds perfect, hook me up." He said smiling at her.

About that time the bell rang again, Allie looked up. It was James, her ex, carrying a bouquet of flowers and a happy birthday balloon. Allie sighed. James walked up to the counter, "Hey blondie, Happy Birthday." he said nervously. "Thanks James, but you know I can't have those flowers back here by the food." she said frustrated. "Oh yeah right, sorry. I just wanted you to know I hadn't forgotten your birthday." He set the flowers and balloon on a table near the counter. "Thank you James." She said coldly, not looking up from the sandwich she was making for her new handsome stranger friend. "So uh, got plans tonight?" James asked awkwardly. Her handsome stranger chimed in, "yeah actually with me." James looked at the guy at the counter sizing him up. "You do?" he asked. "I do?" Allie asked. The stranger stuck his hand out to shake James hand. "how goes it, I'm Brody." James wouldn't shake his hand. He looked at Allie for confirmation that this was all true. Brody could tell what James was thinking, he looked at Allie. "Sorry I was going to surprise you tonight." Brody said winking at Allie. She smiled. "Oh it's ok. I still don't know what we're doing, that's a surprise right?"   Brody smiled back at her, "You bet it is." James realized it was a lost cause. He watched Allie who was obviously enamored with this guy. She handed Brody his sandwich over the counter. "Here ya go, on the house."
"Allie, I can't take it for free." Brody reached for his pocket. "No, no, no, I mean it, on the house." She looked at him with grateful eyes. James took a defeated stance, and slowly backed away, "ok well I hope you have a Happy Birthday Allie."
"Thanks James, I'm certain I will." She looked up to see James turn and walk out the door.

Allie looked at Brody, "That was so nice of you. Thank you so much for saving me there." Brody sat down at a table and picking up his sandwich to eat. "Hey no problem. I could tell he wasn't someone you really wanted to deal with and I thought I could help." He took a big bite of his Grub Club. "Good heavens, you weren't kidding about this being the best choice." Allie smiled, "Good, glad you like." She went back to cleaning up the counter from making the sandwich. Brody watched her, she wasn't his typical "type" being a successful musician, he had his pick of just about anyone he wanted. He was intrigued by Allie though. He watched her working, she had beautiful blonde hair, he'd noticed her crystal blue eyes when he was standing at the counter, and she had such a sweet soul. She was sweeping behind the counter when Brody said, "so what are we doing tonight to celebrate your birthday?" Allie stopped and stared at him in amazement. "You...I....um.....I wasn't expecting you to follow through with that." "I didn't ask you that, I asked what we were doing for your birthday." He smirked. She loved the blonde highlights in his shaggy longer hair. Allie blushed. She couldn't believe someone like him was flirting with her. No, she had to be wrong, he was just a super nice guy who felt sorry for the fatty who was alone on her birthday. "I..uh.... I already have plans with my best friend. She's taking me out for dinner." She quickly answered. "Well..." he said leaning back in his chair, "that works out perfect. I'm a musician and I have a show tonight. Why don't you and your best friend come to my show as my VIP guests?" Allie was dumbfounded. She studied his face for a second, looking for any signs that this guy was just yanking her chain. "Why?" was all she could manage to get out. "Why what?" he asked. "Why are you being so nice to me, you don't know me at all, I'm just the girl who made you a sandwich in a deli." She said bewildered. "No... I don't think that's all you are. I'm a good judge of character and I'm pretty sure there's something very special about you, and I'd like to spend a little more time with you." He said crossing his arms across his chest. "I don't know what to say." she said confused.
"Perfect, then just say, yes Brody, I'd love to come to your show tonight and be your VIP guest." he said with a chuckle. "Ok..." she said still feeling unsure. "Ok I'll come. But I don't want you to ask me just out of pity."

Brody smiled and winked, "trust me, pity is the last thing on my mind."