No U Turn

1

"There are different kinds of evil in this world," Rosie said, taking a final deep draw on her cigarette and dropping it into the empty soda pop can. She stared at the red and white logo for a second. "I quit, you know, about six months ago. Started back out of boredom? Anxiety? Who knows? I really need to stop for good. Too expensive. But hey, you only live once."

Lori smiled. She had bad habits, too.

"So, why didn't you just blow this town?" Lori asked. "I mean, after the shut down and things started to die. Running a business here can't be easy."

"Oh," said Rosie, "it's not. But my needs are small. I get by. Manage to save a little here and there. Lived in the same house my whole life. No, I'm afraid I won't be leaving until they cart me down to the boneyard."

The two women were sitting in a corner booth. The red vinyl seats and Formica tabletops had been wiped off. The floor was drying from the mopping Lori had given it. The blinds were pulled. The 'closed' sign had been flipped out to the street.

The gaudy neon lights that advertised Rosie's Café were off, and Rosie and Lori were enjoying the last of the coffee. Rosie said it was too good to waste. Lori, a lover of caffeine, agreed.

"It was easy for me," Lori said. "I just packed the few glad rags I own in my old suitcase and split. My boyfriend was bleeding me dry. The love was good, but he was about as ambitious as a railroad tie. I just got fed up with supporting us both."

Rosie looked at the young woman. Beautiful. Unattached. Yes, she thought, I can see where it would be easy for you to pull up stakes and take off for greener pastures.

Lori drank her coffee like Rosie – strong, steaming, black, and in big gulps. As if she was reading Rosie's mind, Lori looked at the café owner and smiled.

"I could never leave here," Rosie said.

"Because it's your home," Lori said.

"Home is just a four letter word. No, it's because too many rusty chains hold me to this place."

Rosie sat her heavy mug down. She loved these cups. They kept the java hot enough to scald your throat, even after the coffee had been sitting in them for awhile.

"You enchained? Somehow, I just can't believe that, Rosie."

"Well, I am. I've got a lotta heartache bound up inside me."

"I wouldn't have known," Lori said. "You always seem so up."

"That's just an act. A mask I wear. See, I've worn it so long, it's grown into my skin, I guess. Good for business. Nobody wants a sourpuss for a waitress, honey. It curdles the milk."

"Guess you're right."

An aura of sadness shadowed the old woman's face.

"I'm gonna tell you a story. Maybe, it will help clear up some things," Rosie said.

Her animated body became absolutely still. The diner was as quiet as Rosie, for an instant. Like an abandoned funeral parlor.

The cleaner she'd mopped the floor with suddenly became overpowering. Lori stifled a sneeze. The younger woman shifted in her seat but remained silent. Expectant.

Rosie's voice took on a soft, distant quality. Her eyes glazed. She'd been transported to some other place. Distant. Misty. The diner had dissolved. Rosie was lost in her own world, a world of innocence and sunshine, toys and light.

Lori leaned forward to catch every word.

***

"We had a good life. Not rich, by any means, but we had all we ever needed. My parents were good people. I came first, and then a couple of years later, my little sister was born.