Silent Night

5 - Get Out of My Diner

STEF POV

"Man, I really love this new kind of toast, Callie!" Kirk exclaims as she delivers a platter of pancakes to the table close by where he is sitting.

"What do you mean, Kirk?" I hear her reply while he scrapes the burnt toast with his butter knife.

"Oh, it's a new flavor! Flame broiled! Tell Stef I love it!!!!! Yum-yum!"

I roll my eyes now as I finish up the eggs for the next order and push the plate on the counter before pounding the small bell. "Order up!" I yell as I slam the frying pan on the back burner and Callie quickly grabs the plate, delivering it to Jake Suddleton.

"Oh my god! Why do these eggs taste like day old tilapia?????" I hear Jake yell out as Callie replies.

"Please, just eat them and don't get loud," she whispers loud enough for me to hear.

"Why not? Stef's cooking SUCKS today!" he exclaims even louder as I throw down my dish towel I had on my shoulder and march over to him, yanking his chair back while he yells out.

"Oh my God! Are you trying to kill me now?"

"Get out!" I yell as I yank on his arms, and he practically falls out of his chair, scrambling to his feet, red-faced as I manage to shove him out the door before looking around my diner.

"Anyone else have something to fucking say about my damn food? HUH???? If so, Diane's Cafe is down the damn block!" I yell as half the diner scrambles to leave, and I slam the door.

"I just love this new flavored coffee, Stef! Tastes exactly like half boiled peanuts! Can I have your recipe?" Kirk grins from ear to ear as I glare hard at him, and he holds out his cup for more for he's always been the town idiot. Today was no different.

"Here! I got it!" Callie runs to fill up his cup as I walk to the back to kick the oven as the oven door falls off.

I hate this town right now. I hate this place. Why did Lena have to push me like she did? Why?????? She couldn't leave well enough alone! She had to keep nagging and pushing and nagging and pushing until I heard myself breaking up with her!!!!! This one's on her at this point! See if I fucking care!

"Umm, Stef! My shift's about done. Do you need me for the dinner rush?" Callie smiles as she counts her tips on the counter and I turn to glare at her.

"Yes! Why wouldn't I need you for the dinner rush? Haven't you always worked the dinner rush?"

"Oh. Yes. I just mean....you're kind of running people off. Talk around town is to steer clear of you because you're on a warpath," she says as she pockets her change and looks right at me. "Should I call Mr. Paddler before I leave to fix the oven door?"

"No, I don't need him or anyone to fix the oven door! Be back for your regular shift at 4!" I yell as Kirk speaks up again.

"Best meal in town! I'll be back for dinner too!" he jumps off the stool and throws down a twenty. "Keep the change, Stef! Looks like you really need it!"

I snatch up the twenty dollar bill as I pound open the register and look around my damn ass diner as everyone has finally left. I feel like closing down for the rest of the day, but I already bought the meat for tonight's dinner rush which is meatloaf and mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls with apple pies for dessert.

I sigh as I pour myself a cup of coffee and slump down in one of my chairs as I look outside. Damn this diner life. DAMN IT ALL!

-------------------------------

"Hey, sis! What's up? Mind if a grab a coffee and donut?" I hear Mike walk into the diner after the lunch rush, and I look up from my stool at the counter where I have been working on my ledger.

"Hey, Mike," I say flatly as he grins at me and walks around the counter. "Help yourself."

"Haven't seen Lena these days. You, two okay?"

I look at him over my glasses, trying not to come back with something sarcastic as the other day I had been awful to him. I hadn't told him about Lena at all like I had wanted to. In fact, I haven't been able to even say her name, let alone sit and think about why I am feeling so incredibly angry.

"You live under a rock, Mike?"

He grabs a couple of donuts and walks around the counter to slide on the stool next to me. "You know I work long hours, sis. What gives? I heard about a red ribbon fiasco, but you know how these town biddies get. Always yapping about something or the other."

I sigh as I remove my glasses now and set them down on my ledger before rubbing the bridge of my nose. "We...aren't together at the moment, Mike. Surprised you didn't hear from Pete, your nosy ass partner."

"Mm, I heard, like I said, but I wanted to see if it was true. Is it true she kissed Christopher at her parents' wedding renewal? Is that what happened?"

"No, Mike! It's not!" I get up now and walk around to pour myself some coffee. "It's...it's complicated."

"Try me."

I sigh again as I turn around and look right at him as he is looking at me, waiting which is driving me insane. I hate that he digs so much, but I'm glad he doesn't bow to ugly rumors.

"Look...Mike...it just didn't work out, okay? I don't think Lena and I were really ever meant to be together. We...our lives are vastly different, and we...we're probably better off as just friends, but after everything, I don't think we can be that anymore. So, there. You got the story."

I pat the counter as I walk over to grab the coffee grounds to make a fresh pot of coffee as I hear Mike talking like I knew he would have something to say.

"I don't feel like I'm hearing the whole story. I take it this came about during the wedding? The Adams' wedding?"

"Vow renewal, but a few days after."

"Okay? So if Lena didn't kiss Christopher, what brought this about, Stef? It doesn't sound right to me. I feel there's more," Mike says around a mouthful of donut.

"She didn't kiss him, okay? It's just...he...she...it's not right between us, okay? I just...I...it's not right, Mike. Her world is so different, and-"

"But it's not, Stef. She hasn't lived with her parents since Frankie was 6 months old. She's now 19. So, no, Stef, her world isn't different. She owns a business. You own a business. She's loved by this community. You're loved by this community. She-"

"Okay, okay! Geez, Mike! There's no need to list all of this stuff...stuff I already know, okay? Just leave it be! Leave it BE!!!!!" I raise my voice now, forgetting my resolve not to lose it on my brother again even if he was really asking for it.

"Okay! Fine! Chill, Stef! I'm just trying to understand and be here for you, sis! No need to get so volatile!"

"You know what, Mike? Just take another donut and get the fuck out. Just go. Leave. Adios!" I slam my own mug down and leave the front of my diner as I head to my storage room, but he isn't that far behind me, yammering away still.

"Stef, I'll stop digging okay? I'll stop. I just want to make sure you're okay. I hear other things, you know? I hear you're tossing people out, and that your food is terrible. I hear-"

"GET OUT!!!!!!" I yell even louder now, done with his shit. Completely as he sighs loudly, shaking his head at me as he stares at me rather hard before leaving the room, and soon I hear my little bell above my diner door jingle which signals that he's gone....and I couldn't be more relieved.