Teaching the Elements

Chapter 2 (Not completely edited)

  Daliah

"I need a heart attack on a rack and a side of cackle fruit." I call out my order for biscuits and gravy with a side of eggs over the commotion of the breakfast rush at the diner. I hang my ticket in the window and grab a few coffee cups off the rack on the wall for my next table. Two college aged blonde girls sat down in my section. I can tell by the look of disdain on their faces that I won't be receiving an good tip.

    Still, I stick on my best smile as I push my way through the cramped dining area to their table. These two had a long night, their makeup smudged, their clothes disheveled. Not to mention they stink like a brewery. One girl glances at me and rolls her bloodshot eyes, a bit too hard if I might add. My smile doesn't fail in the slightest. I grin at the two of them. "Good morning, can I interest you ladies in a cup of coffee?" I ask. "It's fresh!"

   "Ugh, whatever." One states, waving her hand dismissively. "I want two pieces of avocado toast on a gluten-free bread." Her friend perks up.
    "Same but I want eggs." I chortle. Where do these two think they are? This is Beckinsdale, California, not San Diego. We don't believe in gluten-free anything in this diner.

    "I'm sorry ladies, we don't offer any gluten-free choices." The girls snack their lips in distaste, growing upset. I may as well drown them out now because I know they're about to rip me a new ass. The women rant and throw insults at me as if it's my fault we don't have the bread they want. Their logic flies in one ear and out the other. You can't work in food if you've got thin skin.

    "We want to speak to your manager." I smile at them again, cheering inside because Joe, the owner is just going to tell them the to get over it. The customer isn't always right at The Little Cow Diner.

    "He'll be with you in a moment." I twist on my heels and saunter over to Joe, who is manning the register. Joe is a little firecracker. He stands about five foot three, but his attitude makes him much larger.

    "Joe," I sing his name. He peers up at me, his eyes squinted as if he knows I'm up to something.
"What have you gotten into now, Daliah?" Offering him a lopsided grin, I placed my arm around his shoulder and point to the two gluten monsters in the corner.

     "They would like to talk with the manager," I relay with a comical grin. He rolls his eyes. He plucks a rag from his pocket, dries his face, and throws it on the counter. His pewter colored hair falls into his eyes.

   "I'm so sick of these fancy fucks coming in here just to complain, complain, com-fucking-plain." He huffs as he steps around the counter towards the customers. I chuckle as I head back to the window to pick up my order.

    I bring the biscuits, gravy and eggs over to Mr. Martin. Mr. Martin is a regular. He's comes in every day for the last four years and regularly sits in the section I'm working. He always orders the same thing; two fried eggs, biscuits with sausage gravy and black coffee with two sugars. "Daliah, you take such wonderful care of me." I beam and pat his arm.

    "Mr. Martin, you're the sole reason I still work here. I can't go a day without looking at your handsome face." I lean in close. "Plus, you leave the best tips." He laughs as he digs into his food. I chuckle and start towards the back for my break.

    I hear the cowbell on the door; it jingles every time someone comes in or goes out the diner. I watch as four, scarcely dressed men come slinking in. I watch them as they snoop around and whisper amongst themselves.

    These are the biggest guys I've encountered in my life. They're all at least 6'5. The tallest towering at least six inches above them, and Christ on a cracker, look at those bodies! These are the most perfect physiques I've ever set eyes on, broad and bulging in the right places. Their faces are so fascinating that it makes me self aware of my own looks. These men are exotic looking and I'd be lying if I said I didn't notice an attraction to all of them.