Fancy's Not My Name

Marie's

After the third day of Marie's being closed due to bad weather, the skies cleared. Dottie awoke to the early morning sun reflecting off the water droplets still clinging to the growing blades of grass. The odd bird chirped here and there.

Her hope that the diner would be open soon was reinvigorated. She sprung from her bed and silently dressed in her fraying white stockings and uniform.

Her father woke up as Dottie was preparing a small breakfast. He sat wordlessly at the table and watched Dottie as she worked. She wasn't making anything special.

She'd made a run into town yesterday morning for groceries. She'd had to use her savings—something she hated doing—so they'd be able to eat for at least another few days.

She made one large omelet for the family to share and placed it on a plate. She also cut up some fruit to go with it, and so Tommy would have something to eat. By the time she was finished her mother joined them at the table. Tommy was wrapped safely in his blanket in his mother's arms.

Dottie didn't miss the hateful glare her Pa sent at the two. It upset her that her father acted that way. He used to be so loving and kind.

Dottie set the table and placed the food in the middle. Her father took his share first. He took most of the omelet and left the fruit. Dottie gestured for her mother to take what she wanted from the plate in the middle. Her mother hesitated.

"It's okay, Mama. You go ahead and eat what you like." Dottie encouraged softly. She knew her mother was hungry, she'd barely eaten the last few days.

She smiled at the aging woman as she took most of what was left of the eggs.

Dottie took what was left and her mother pushed the bowl of diced fruits toward her daughter.

"You have these. You need it." She said gently.

Dottie smiled her thanks and spooned the fruit onto her plate. The family ate quietly, her Pa finishing first. He left his dishes on the table and walked out. Dottie finished last and gathered everything and dumped it in the sink.

"Mama, could you do these for me? I wanna see if Marie's has reopened." Dottie asked politely.

Her mother nodded and smiled. Dottie rushed around the small house to collect what she would need for work and flew out the door with a chaste kiss to her mother's cheek. She could faintly see her father's footprints as she walked down the path to the road. She had half a mind to follow them.

She thought better of it though, and walked happily into town. When she made it to the more occupied areas it seemed that her excitement was felt by everyone else. The weather had been so dark and dreary for so long. The warmth and light of the sun was a welcomed thing.

In their happiness, people also seemed to forget about their usual attitude toward her. People smiled at her as they passed, gentlemen tipped their hats in a silent good morning. Dottie's smile shone a little brighter. Her mood further improved when she saw the open sign in Marie's front window. She pulled open the door and was met with bright greetings from her coworkers.

"Dottie! It's good to see you." Joe greeted energetically. The owner of the diner ambled toward her.

"Jenny couldn't make it in today so you'll have cover her station too." He informed.

Dottie nodded her response and quickly walked to the back room to dispose of her purse and her newly sewn cardigan.

She clipped her name tag to her dress and wrapped the half apron around her waist. It didn't take long for the first customers to file through the door. Their happy chatter was uninterrupted as they found seats and scanned the menus.