Darkened Smiles

one

ONE

You drew memories in my mind
I could never erase.
You painted colors in my heart
I could never replace.
- perry poetry -

Mid Sunday afternoons were always the busiest time here.

People from all walks of life strolled through those doors nonstop, filling up each one of the seats at the vintage diner. Regulars and newcomers alike appreciated the atmosphere it provided; a mother and her two children stood at the entrance, waiting to be seated by the hostess, while Art Jennings Sr. occupied one of the stools at the countertop, sipping his regular black coffee. A group of friends sat in one of the booths in the corner, laughing as they awaited their food. The lone newcomer ate his pie silently in his seat, an open newspaper resting on the table before him.

Julia tightened her grip on the mug in her hands, the once steaming liquid within now cooled. A pair of eyes were reflected back at her as she moved her gaze to the streets outside, one iris tawny and the other pistachio. She supposed she must've gotten those eyes from somewhere. Then, against her will, her gaze traveled down to her neck. She knew the burnt orange turtleneck sweater she wore covered it, but it still made her uncomfortable and she often found herself checking to see if it was visible.

As it turns out, the peculiar scar was completely hidden from view.

"Miss Julia?" A voice called lightly.

Julia turned to face her waitress, Gen, whose table she had been coming to sit at for as long as she could remember. Gen smiled gently, her eyes roving over Julia, who was aware she looked a mess. Julia absently brushed a hand over her unruly black hair as she said, "Yes?"

Gen gestured toward the mug in her hands. "I was just coming by to ask if you wanted a refill?"

"Oh," Julia glanced down at her drink, then back up at Gen, "That would be great, thank you."

As Gen took her mug to fill it with fresh hot chocolate—which Julia firmly believed was a year round drink—she returned her gaze to the window. A hard rain was falling outside, causing both shop goers and passerby to hurriedly duck inside here or there, many of them, in fact, entering the diner.

Julia was grateful for Gen's rapid waitressing skills and the return of her mug—now filled with steaming hot chocolatey goodness—as the door of the diner kept opening and closing, letting in customers and more than a bit of cool air. It bit into her bare face, nipping at her hands. She wrapped them round the hot mug. September was drawing to a close quickly and already the leaves were turning, bidding farewell to warmth.

Julia sighed lightly. Fall was the best season, in her opinion. Cozy sweaters, pumpkin season, Halloween movies, not to mention hot chocolate—usually in more flavors!

Her mood quickly fell, however, when she absently turned to face the seat across from her, only to realize—her heart sinking—that there was no one there.

Not anymore.

Clearing her throat, Julia got to her feet, somewhat unsteadily. A few bills were thrown onto the table before she was making her way through the crowded diner to the exit. Gen waved a goodbye to her as she walked. The rain had lightened into a drizzle by the time she stepped out, and she was glad she wouldn't have to walk sopping wet as she made her way home, having not brought an umbrella.

Gen glanced sadly at the booth Julia had just vacated. It was perhaps the only time she didn't scramble for the tip, the bills stuffed haphazardly beneath the ketchup bottle and the ends fluttering in the breeze.

➖➖☕️➖➖

It is said that life is messy.

That certainly translated to Julia's apartment.

Her nose was crinkled rather disgustedly at the disarray of it, but couldn't bring herself to move from her position on the sofa—cocooned in the warmth of two Berkshire blankets, munching on M&Ms and watching her comfort show. A new season had come out and she was prepared to stay on that couch for as long as it took to finish it. An extra large box of tissues was placed on the cushion beside her and her MOO B*TCH! get out the hay mug, filled to the brim with hot chocolate, was on the coffee table before her.

She had just gotten to the end credits of the second episode when her phone rang.

Grumbling the whole way about how whoever was on the other end had better be dying for interrupting her tv-hunk time, she reluctantly crawled out of her haven of blankets and scrambled for the phone.

The unwanted number flashed on the screen and Julia nearly groaned at the sight. Grumbling, she accepted the call. "Hello?"

She could practically hear the smile through the phone. "Hello, Miss Hutchins! It's so good to hear from you."

"Uh, yeah, you too Frank." Julia pursed her lips. "What can I do for you?"

Frank cough pointedly. "Well, I'm just calling to remind you that unfortunately, you missed your last session. Would it be at all possible to reschedule?"

Julia closed her eyes, breathing deep. She really didn't want to, but he'd just keep bugging her about it. "Sure, Frank. I'll take a look at my calendar and we can schedule a time."

"Great! I'll give you a call in day or so. Have a good night!"

The call ended with a click and she sighed heavily. Frank wasn't stupid. He knew something wasn't quite right. But, as she crawled back into her spot on the couch, Julia came to realize something: she didn't particularly care.

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Thank you so much for reading
Let me know if you liked it!
xx KP