Moon Girl

Fourteen - Diner Coffee

In the diner on the edge of town, nothing ever really happened. People came to get coffee and some food. It was never alive with electricity and emotions. It was a place of old-time solitude.

Blake entered the front door of the beloved diner his grandmother used to take him to when she was alive. When he missed her most, he'd come and have a cup of coffee in their old booth. Back then he didn't drink coffee, but she did. Now he took on both the roles. His eyes flickered to their booth, someone was currently in it. He recognized that silky, black mane. Krystal.

What is she doing here? Does she come here often? Had I missed her on other occasions?

Blake stood at the door and studied her. He couldn't bring himself to make his way to her. So instead he let all his thoughts of her wash over him.

Krystal wasn't the type of girl you'd see at the mall or in an arcade. She seemed like the girl you'd find in a coffee shop or a book store. Serves me right for finding her here, in my booth nonetheless. People saw her as dangerous and mysterious. I saw the broken girl who had a constant reminder of what she lost. When people would say things like "it will kill you" or "that's death waiting to happen" her reply without missing a beat was always "promise?". I'd know enough about suicide and the pain people go through to know it was never about dying but always about making the mountains of pain go away. Little do they know that the pain they felt, gets sorted to those who care about you and that's a pain they will always carry with them. A list of burning questions like, "how could I not know?", "Was there anything I could have done?" Or "Was I apart of the problem?".

Finally, Blake's feet carried him to the quiet girl in his memorial booth.
"Anyone sitting here?" He pointed to the empty seat across from her. She looked up at him.

I really like those gold eyes of his, although they seem more like copper in this lighting. Oh, wait he asked me if anyone was sitting there. Should I lie? He will immediately know, no one ever hangs around me.

She's taking forever to answer. Did she even hear my question? Maybe she's plotting ways to kill me. I wouldn't blame her, maybe it can take me out of my misery. I am a fumbling fool around her. Stupid feelings. Woah. Feelings? Blake, dude, you don't even know the girl.

"You can be, I suppose." She finally answered. Blake slid in the booth across from her.
"So do you come here often?" Blake half flirted. A smile spread on Krystal's face.
"Uh, no, first time. I picked the farthest diner on Google maps." She held his gaze. "What about you?"
"My grandma and I used to come here all the time when I was little. When she died I would come here alone. It was always our spot. I miss her, so I come and sit in our booth." He let roll off his tongue.

Oh dear god. Why did I tell her that? That was very personal, Blake! You don't even tell your friends that!

"Tell me, what was she like?" Krystal surprised him.
"My grandma?" She nodded.

Maybe she is opening up to me, letting me in. Or maybe I'm letting her in.

"She was 5 foot nothing and hell on wheels." A giggle escaped Krystal's lip and Blake smiled widely.

Why do I feel so giddy? Maybe it's just nice not being alone.

Blake continued to tell Krystal about the lady who could barely see above the steering wheel but had more love for people than her little body could hold. Krystal was entranced as he spoke.

"For as short as she was, that lady was larger than life." He shook his head with a smile.
"How long ago did she pass?" Blake sighed.
"Uh, about 3 years ago. Cancer. We knew it was coming but it doesn't make it any easier." Krystal shook her head sympathetically.
"No, it never does." A comfortable silence settled over them.