Wish Upon A Sunset

Lunch Date With A Turkey Sandwich...I Mean Molly

Emma

Present Day...

"I missed you!" Molly squealed in delight as she wrapped me in a tight hug.

I scrunched my ear down into my shoulder when her high-pitched voice grated painfully on my eardrum. Laughing, I pulled back. "I missed you too, but it's only been a week, you dork."

"I know! But we have so much lost time to make up for!"

Molly and I had made plans to meet for lunch and the walk from my apartment into town had been a long one, but it had helped me to work up a hearty appetite and it had been a long time since I had gone to Roscoe's Diner.

The little restaurant sat on the corner of Ash and Fourth Street, and the smell of garlic bread wafted through the air, making my stomach growl. Molly had already been outside waiting for me when I had arrived and I couldn't wait to catch her up on everything that had happened since I had last seen her.

I gave her a quick once-over and fought back a giggle. Molly rocked a typical "Molly outfit" made up of a long white tunic with colorful stitching around the collar and sleeves, fringe at the bottom, white leggings, calf-high boots, and a wide-brimmed floppy hat. A big, oversized hippie bag complemented the outfit.

I wore one of the new outfits I had splurged on-an oversized white sweater tucked into the front of a pair of straight-leg jeans, white tennis shoes, and a big tan bag. It felt good to have some real clothes again, but I was feeling a little bad about it. The money my parents had put into my checking account was for emergencies, but wearing the same outfit I had worn for my interview every day until my first paycheck would be mortifying. So, I had caved and bought myself some new clothes.

Not to mention, a little retail therapy went a long way with helping my nerves. The ghosts of my past were wearing them thin, and the longer I stayed in my hometown, the more intense the flashbacks and memories became. Even my dreams were being infiltrated now, although my encounter with Zack yesterday might have triggered the nightmare last night.

Molly grabbed my hand and pulled me into the restaurant. It was cozy inside, its lighting dim and intimate. The delicious aroma bombarded me as we stepped inside, and I detected the scent of bread and coffee. The hushed murmur of the patrons talking and the clinking of dishes from the kitchen made me unexpectedly happy as I realized that this was the first time in years that I had been inside a restaurant.

It felt normal. It felt unreal.

The host smiled and directed us towards a table in the back of the establishment, where she gave each of us a menu before heading back to the front.

"What are you going to order?" Molly wiggled in her chair, obviously excited at the prospect of food.

I could get on board with that.

"I'm not sure," I said, looking over the menu items. "It all sounds really tasty, so it's hard to choose."

Molly and I went back and forth for a little while, discussing the different options and what sounded best. Eventually, we made our food choices-Molly settled on the classic cheeseburger, while I went for a toasted turkey sandwich with a side of soup.

And just in time, too.

A waitress approached, sporting a nondescript uniform of black slacks and a shirt. She gave me the once over, her eyes looking at me from top to bottom. Shifting in my seat, I waited for her to say something snide, and when she didn't, relief washed through me. Her attitude was a little haughty, but she took our orders and left without making a scene.

I let out a sigh, finally releasing the breath I hadn't even realized I had been holding.

"That was weird." Molly gave me a funny look.