Postcards from Fentress

Jolene

Daisy's Country Kitchen was busy and loud as ever. Too loud and too busy, especially so late on a Wednesday morning. I could barely hear Carter Sommers as he waved and yammered from his usual table by the window.

"Hey! Jo! Better come keep an eye on your girl."

I grabbed the coffee pot off the Bunn and made my rounds of the tables. "What's that, Cart?"

He hitched his thumb toward the parking lot. "Your girl. That trucker's chattin' her up pretty good. Can't say I much like the look of him neither."

I stood over his table and watched my daughter, Raelene, coming into work. Some Wildcat, parked in front of the first pump, engaged her for a few seconds but she kept on and waved him off. "My girl's smart and she can take care of herself but thanks for lookin' out for her."

"Sure 'nufff, Jo! I don't want to see anyone messin' with my two favorite girls in any way they don't wanna be messed with. Hey! How 'bout a piece of pie? Apple pie on a dark and cloudy day. It fixes everything. Have one on me too. You look like you could use some cheerin' up."

"You're sweet, Cart. Thanks. I'm okay. I got one of those headaches and the light's makin' it worse. Soon as Rae's got herself clocked in and caught up, I'll be punchin' out and headin' home..."

"Ya' want me to wait for ya'? I gotta' take a ride to the Co-Op and get a new gate. Some fool ran into it last weekend and it's all tore up. Wanna' ride along?"

"Not this time, Cart. I ain't much good company these days."

"You're always fine with me, Jo. You know that. I'm just waitin' for ya' to give this old man half a chance."

I smiled and winked at him. "Let me get that pie for ya' Cart. Be just a minute."

Raelene came in through the back as I was pulling the pie from the case. "Hey, Mama. How's this morning?"

"Busy but I'm gonna' clock out as soon as you're settled. Who was that you were talking to? We know him?"

"Nope. Just some guy in an old Ford rig. It's kinda messed up. Looked like he'd been in a wreck. The left front fender's all caved in and shit."

"He say anything to you? Anything your Mama oughta' know about."

"Nope. Just the usual shit."

"I don't know why you have to park all the way across the lot like that. You should park in the back. Especially when you're workin' a double."

"Well, lookie there." Raelene pointed to a tall man with a long, red beard coming through the door. He had that certain swagger. Like a guy who's been around - a lot - but he wasn't bad looking. I liked the fit of his tight pegged jeans and the dusty, red flannel he had tucked in behind a thick brass belt buckle. His hat in his hand, all proper.

"That the Wildcat?"

"Yep."

"Hey! Morning to ya! Tables are all full but there's a seat at the counter. I'll be with ya' in a second. Soon as I deliver this pie and get my baby girl settled into her shift."

I sent Raelene in the back to start preppin' for lunch. He smiled and took a seat at the end of the counter, near the register while I delivered the pie to Carter.

"Sure ya' don't want me to wait on ya', Jo? Maybe we could take a ride and get some dinner later. Let the gate wait another day or so. That ain't gonna hurt nuthin'"

"Ah. Thanks, Carter. I think I'm gonna hang around a bit and help Rae. At least 'til it slows down some."

He paid his check as I handed over the pie. "Keep it, Sweetie. You deserve it."