Kaida cut the apple pie and put two pieces in a takeout box. Chloe stopped wiping the red stools along the counter that ran down the length of the diner car and said, "The pie is gross."
She placed the take-out box under the counter and said, "But kitschy 50s diners possess magic pie. Why else would people sit through a greasy gut bomb? Besides, my weakness is for the apple."
"When is your shift done?" and adjusted her Elizabeth Taylor wig before picking up a discarded newspaper.
"Five minutes," Kaida sang out, and did a dance, making her blue fifties diner dress spin out around her.
Chloe pouted, "I hate you," as she read the headline on a forgotten paper, "Did you read this?"
Kaida stopped wiping the counter and asked, "Read what?"
"Someone's poisoning the Fraser," Chloe grumbled and skidded the paper.
"Well, that's perfect," Kaida said, picking up the newspaper and reading the article.
"How much do you want to bet it's the pipeline?"
"No, those chemicals are traceable and they can't find the source, meaning someone dumped it in the water."
"Oh, the Albertan defending oil."
"Don't jump to conclusions and, if it is the pipeline, I'll be the first at the protest," Kaida said, and wiped her hands on her short apron.
"Are you going to join the protest tonight?"
"Nope, a friend needs cheering up and protests seem like such a regular event now. I'll catch the next one."
The cook called from the back, "Order up," and Chloe delivered the food.
The doorbell chimed, and a woman entered, staring at Kaida.
"Sit anywhere," Kaida called to her.
The woman waited in her booth as Kaida crossed the black-and-white floor and brought a menu. The woman watched the diners.
"Welcome to Val's Diner," Kaida greeted her. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"I'm Angrboda," the woman said.
"I've never heard that name before, so what does it mean?"
"Bringer of sorrow."
"Oh, rough relationship with your parents?"
"No, I didn't."
"Who am I to judge? I thought Cenote was a good name because it sounded so beautiful and unique. Then I learned what it meant, and I didn't think any future daughters would appreciate having a name like 'Sinkhole'. But my name is Kaida and we have a pasta special today."
"What does Kaida mean?" Angrboda asked.
"It means little dragon."
"I hope that's accurate, but what do most people drink here?"
"Well, the milkshakes are good, but we have coffee, water, juice, and pop."
Angrboda inquired, "Is this you?" and pointed to one of the many Marilyn Monroe pictures hanging on the wall.
"Tonight, I suppose I am," Kaida fluffed out her wig. In her best, Marilyn Monroe voice said, "The resemblance is uncanny, but I prefer Elizabeth Taylor because there is less grabbing but also fewer tips."
"Kaida, your shift is over," Chloe said. "I'll be happy to take over."
Angrboda protested, "Aren't you going to be my servant?" Angrboda waited for an answer, with no hint of amusement.
YOU ARE READING
Until Ragnarok
FantasiOdin has hidden Loki and his children on Midgard to protect them from the gods who want to kill them. Loki's children must now remember who they are and bring about Ragnarok.
