Quarantine Writing Challenge

His wife was having tea with the King and he didn't even know about it

Linda and Mel had dreamed of opening their own diner ever since they'd become high school sweethearts. That was how they'd met, over chocolate and vanilla, pistachio and strawberry. Mel had found a job as a mechanic one he'd graduated, and Linda was active in the community, organizing bake sales and church suppers for various good causes. She was a caring woman with a warm heart, always doing a little extra to help her neighbours and friends. Mel was quiet but hard-working, able to support his family with long hours and worn hands that always carried at least a little telltale grease, except on Sundays.

It wasn't until they were late into their 50's and their kids had moved on that they'd saved up enough to open Linda and Mel's Pop Shop on main street in their small town. They lived in the country as country as country can get, with the view from their back yard a sweeping green field of wheat, golden rapeseed and grazing cattle that occasionally interrupted calm summer days with a bellowing moo. Neither Mel or Linda planned on spending their retirement sitting around doing nothing, and they were excited to run their own business.

It was a rainy night, in 1954. Linda was doing a little sweeping and Mel was working in the kitchen. They were just about to close, when the door's bell jangled and a young man let himself in, dark hair wet with the rain. He smiled and gave a little nod in Linda's direction. There was something quite charming and irresistible in that smile, Linda thought.

"We're closing soon, but you're welcome to sit down," she called over.

"Thank you, ma'am," he replied politely, taking off his jacket and holding it over his arm.

There was something about the man that reminded Linda of Mel when he was younger. He seemed glad to get out of the rain, but he still looked a little chilly.

"If you order a slice of my apple pie, I'll make you a cup to tea on the house," Linda offered.

"That'd be swell," the young man smiled, taking a seat in an empty booth. Linda nodded and hurried to the counter to cut him a piece of pie, and set the kettle on for tea. She hummed to herself and made two cups, feeling she could use one herself.

"I hope you like it," Linda grinned, showing her pride in her baking as she set a plate in front of him. The man eagerly took a bite, sighing in enjoyment at the delicate taste of apple and light buttery crust. It reminded him of his mother's baking, and he said so.

"This apple pie's almost as good as my mother's. Course' there's nothing better than mama's pie. Hope you don't take offense to that," he said, with a little laugh.

"Not at all! If anything, that's a compliment. I wish my boys liked my baking that much. I have two grown up sons just a little older than you are, I figure"

The young man didn't seem to be paying her much attention, but it was because his interest had been caught by the tabletop jukebox. He smiled with the same pride that Linda had for her pies, and turned back to her with an excited grin on his face. He pulled a coin from his pocket and took a moment to pick a song, one called That's All Right.

"My song's on your jukebox," he smiled. Linda hadn't heard the song before; it was probably new. It had a nice sound, and the singer's voice was bright and energetic.

"It's nice having a song, isn't it?" Linda replied, "I think my husband would like that song"

"Well, get him to have a listen, and see what he thinks"

"I sure will. Now, you better get back to that pie, I'm going to check on him now"

Linda excused herself, and headed to into the kitchen. Mel was fixing something on the stove; he was a very handy man who could fix about anything. It was one of the things she loved about him. Linda came up to him and kissed his cheek.

Mel turned around and laughed.

"What's gotten into you?" he asked, taking her hand.

"Nothing, really," Linda replied, "I was just thinking - do we have a song, Mel?"

"I can't rightly remember. I'm sure we do. I like the one that's on now"

"Do you know who's singing it?"

"Elvis Presley's his name. He's just starting out"

"It'd sure be nice to meet him"