Shattered Screams

Chapter seven

The diner was livelier more than ever . The booths and tables were packed full of people , some residents of the town and others just passing through .  Makenna didn't know why she was here . She should have just stayed at the shelter playing with the dogs . When Kieran had offered to buy her lunch , she made no haste in accepting .  She loved food more than she did coffee. But , she didn't think she'd have to join him . She was okay with him just bringing something back to the shelter , she didn't mind stuffing her face in the break room. She tapped her feet beneath the table as she glanced around . He sat across from her ,  legs crossed and back pressed into the cushioned chair , scanning  through the foldable menu. "What would you like to eat?" He laid the laminated tri-fold down on the table and slid it towards her . "Get whatever you want , I'm paying."  Oh , boy . Makenna inwardly laughed . This man didn't know just how big of an appetite she had . If anything , she could possibly out eat just about every one in this establishment.  She tapped her nails on the menu , pondering if even wanted to order or simply wait till later. Was she even that hungry? Her stomach growling like a wild beast answered her own question , yes , she was definitely hungry.

"Makenna , I see you have returned ." Miss Maryann sauntered up to their table , digging around in her apron pockets for her notepad . She glanced over at Kieran . "And so have you." Lifting the notepad and pencil out , she pointed at the unopened menu . "Have you decided or do you need more time?" Both of their eyes were set on Makenna as they patiently awaited her reply.  A group of young teens giggled  and laughed  a two tables away , peeking often at them then continuing on with their entertaining conversation.  One of the young boys sitting with  the group leaned into the chair and tossed his arm over the back  with a snide grin on his freckled face.  The way his  dirty brown eyes roamed over her body disgusted her . Makenna picked up the menu and held it out to the older woman . "A Caesar salad with grilled chicken with ranch and a medium sweet tea , please." Maryann scribbled in her notepad. "And for you?" She asked Kieran. He crossed his arms and gave Makenna a small smile . "I'll have the same,  but blackened chicken  instead with zesty Italian dressing ." She nodded and scribbled it down on the paper. Tucking the menu under her arm , Maryann stuffed the notepad and pencil back in the pocket of the apron . "I'll have those brought out to you shortly ."

Makenna loosened the scarf around her neck . She fiddled with her earrings and avoided making eye contact with the man sitting across from her. A salad? Out of all the delicious, mouth watering items on the menu , she just had to order a salad . She internally screamed and cursed.  Out of all the options listed , why had she chosen that.  Her stomach rumbled at the sight  of a plate of  shrimp and crawfish stuffed  boudin balls with Cajun mustard sauce that was being carried over to a nearby booth. She licked her bottom lip. Oh , how she wished she could devour those. Her nose twitched as a delicious aroma drifted from another table and invaded her senses. She glanced around till she spotted a steamy hot bowl of chicken gumbo and rice with a side of spicy potato salad , shrimp étouffe, and a small plate of fried pickles with ranch. "I told you to order whatever you wanted ." She pivoted in her seat. "What?" Kieran stared at her with amusement swirling in his eyes . "The food." Her pierced brow lifted . "What about it?" She questioned . He motioned to the table she was just looking at. "You could have ordered  that , if that's what you wanted." He leaned forward , hands clasped and elbows digging into the wooden tabletop. Her stomach growled louder at the thought of biting into a juicy alligator burger or even slurping up a big spoonful of squirrel stew , anything but a salad. "I highly doubt what you ordered will satisfy you."

Maryann sat the plates and drinks before them , handed them their neatly napkin wrapped utensils , and ambled off  to the front counter to take care of another guest .  Makenna lifted the two paper cups of dressing and drizzled them over the salad. "Are you sure that you don't want anything else to eat?" She glanced up at him while reaching for her utensils  and unwrapped the neatly  tucked napkin , pulling the fork free and placing it on the plate .  "This is enough for me ," She lied , as she mixed the dressing in her salad and lifted the fork to take a bite . She forced a smile while chewing the creamy ranch drenched greenery that tasted awful . Kieran lifted his shoulder lightly , digging into his own plate . "If you say so."  They sat across from each other eating in silence . Neither one  of them saying another word. Instead , they listened in on all the various conversations that swirled around them.