hangover.”
Hazel’s place happens to be closer than I expect. It’s a little bungalow out back of the kitchen’s rear door, with the same quaint decorating as the Harvester. It has two little bedrooms, a bathroom, the galley kitchen, and a small den. I’d gnaw off my right arm to have a place like this. Even without trying, Hazel is giving me something so memorable, I’d never be able to repay her in a thousand years. Comfort and peace have always come at a high price, and she’s just given it to me for free.
I gaze around the petite space, daydreaming of having something so amazing until Hazel pops around the corner, dressed in bright pink Hello Kitty PJ’s.
“There’s fresh towels in the bathroom cupboard, a spare toothbrush, little travel soaps, and a set of jammies on the counter for ya. I noticed that the garage was locked up, and ya couldn’t get to yer' car for things. If you need anything else don’t worry about it; just ask.”
“This is more than great. Thanks Hazel.”
“Don’t fret. It’s nothin’. Now the doors open at five, so get some rest,” she says as she turns back towards her room. “Oh, n’ by the way, you did good. I really appreciate the help, even if it’s just for a day or two.”
Wow, what a sweet lady. I should be the one thanking her for everything, and she’s thanking me for working where she pays me. “It was a lovely day, and I’m more than glad to be doing anything. It’s way better than standing around waiting on my car.”
With a wink and a bright smile, she’s headed off down the hall to bed.
Wow. It’s gonna feel good to get a solid night’s rest on a bed where I’m not watching over my shoulder for someone to jump me in my sleep, or someone to tap my window saying I can’t park there. I’m feeling a bit woozy from the bourbon and I know it won’t take much to pass out. I change into the borrowed clothes, brush my teeth and head off to bed quickly. The room has paisley blue bedding, striped steel grey curtains and black throw pillows. They don’t sound like they’d go together but it fits.
I toss the throws to a chair in the corner, pull back the covers, and let my head rest back on the plush pillows, thinking about how this day went from hell in a hand basket to amazing.
I’m out in seconds.
Kate
D ing, ding goes that damn counter bell of Gus’s. I swear since five am, that thing has rang more than a thousand times.
The college kids stream in steadily, one after another, stacking themselves up in the tables inside and out, without arguments or bitchin’. They line up at the counter, they line up for seats, heck, they even steal each other’s seats and plates, just to get sustenance before classes start.
There has been countless pounds of bacon, steak n’ eggs, scrambled or poached eggs by the tray, smoothies, shakes, hotcakes, waffles, and gallons of orange juice being consumed. And damn, I gotta hand it to him. Gus is faster than I thought anyone on a griddle could be. The man is a machine. I was impressed last night, but now I’m just in awe of his godlike speed and precision.
Hazel has this place running like a well-oiled engine, and the students seem to follow her every command. If she says don’t sit there, pay your bill or get out, they not only listen like a trained pet, they assist by clearing their own plates too. It’s just like home would be; she’s mom, and they do their dishes or else.
On the way over this morning, she gave me the heads up on this phenomenon. When she took over years ago, and found that it was too hard for one person to be all to everyone, she bitched to someone that it was like being their mother. From then on, this is how it became during the breakfast and lunch run. They get served, she gets paid, and they clear their own tables. If they don’t follow the drill, their friends inform them, do it for them and then expect it from them the next time in
Hazel’s place happens to be closer than I expect. It’s a little bungalow out back of the kitchen’s rear door, with the same quaint decorating as the Harvester. It has two little bedrooms, a bathroom, the galley kitchen, and a small den. I’d gnaw off my right arm to have a place like this. Even without trying, Hazel is giving me something so memorable, I’d never be able to repay her in a thousand years. Comfort and peace have always come at a high price, and she’s just given it to me for free.
I gaze around the petite space, daydreaming of having something so amazing until Hazel pops around the corner, dressed in bright pink Hello Kitty PJ’s.
“There’s fresh towels in the bathroom cupboard, a spare toothbrush, little travel soaps, and a set of jammies on the counter for ya. I noticed that the garage was locked up, and ya couldn’t get to yer' car for things. If you need anything else don’t worry about it; just ask.”
“This is more than great. Thanks Hazel.”
“Don’t fret. It’s nothin’. Now the doors open at five, so get some rest,” she says as she turns back towards her room. “Oh, n’ by the way, you did good. I really appreciate the help, even if it’s just for a day or two.”
Wow, what a sweet lady. I should be the one thanking her for everything, and she’s thanking me for working where she pays me. “It was a lovely day, and I’m more than glad to be doing anything. It’s way better than standing around waiting on my car.”
With a wink and a bright smile, she’s headed off down the hall to bed.
Wow. It’s gonna feel good to get a solid night’s rest on a bed where I’m not watching over my shoulder for someone to jump me in my sleep, or someone to tap my window saying I can’t park there. I’m feeling a bit woozy from the bourbon and I know it won’t take much to pass out. I change into the borrowed clothes, brush my teeth and head off to bed quickly. The room has paisley blue bedding, striped steel grey curtains and black throw pillows. They don’t sound like they’d go together but it fits.
I toss the throws to a chair in the corner, pull back the covers, and let my head rest back on the plush pillows, thinking about how this day went from hell in a hand basket to amazing.
I’m out in seconds.
Kate
D ing, ding goes that damn counter bell of Gus’s. I swear since five am, that thing has rang more than a thousand times.
The college kids stream in steadily, one after another, stacking themselves up in the tables inside and out, without arguments or bitchin’. They line up at the counter, they line up for seats, heck, they even steal each other’s seats and plates, just to get sustenance before classes start.
There has been countless pounds of bacon, steak n’ eggs, scrambled or poached eggs by the tray, smoothies, shakes, hotcakes, waffles, and gallons of orange juice being consumed. And damn, I gotta hand it to him. Gus is faster than I thought anyone on a griddle could be. The man is a machine. I was impressed last night, but now I’m just in awe of his godlike speed and precision.
Hazel has this place running like a well-oiled engine, and the students seem to follow her every command. If she says don’t sit there, pay your bill or get out, they not only listen like a trained pet, they assist by clearing their own plates too. It’s just like home would be; she’s mom, and they do their dishes or else.
On the way over this morning, she gave me the heads up on this phenomenon. When she took over years ago, and found that it was too hard for one person to be all to everyone, she bitched to someone that it was like being their mother. From then on, this is how it became during the breakfast and lunch run. They get served, she gets paid, and they clear their own tables. If they don’t follow the drill, their friends inform them, do it for them and then expect it from them the next time in
Similar Books
