by Pinki Parks
“Nope. I have everything I need right here in this town and I can’t think of anything better than that, ma’am.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to say . . . I didn’t mean there was anything wrong with the town.” He was proud of the town and he had a place there. He belonged. The town was his life. That was something she had never felt, even back to her childhood.
“Just that other places are better?”
“No, well . . . yes, I guess so.”
“In what way?”
“Sorry.” Brook was puzzled, he had actually asked questions rather than spit out answers.
“In what way are these other places better?”
“I don’t know, more people, more to do I suppose.”
“Plenty to do here, ma’am if you’re willing to do it.”
“I suppose you’re right.” Brook thought about that for a moment but didn’t quite know what else to say. Every time she spoke with him, she ended up at a loss for words. He had a way at shutting her up. His responses were almost like a dead end. There was no arguing them, she thought.
Sam returned to the couple with their orders. “So, you’re getting a divorce.” Sam may be a waitress but she was more interested in people and their stories.
“Yes, I uh…”
Deacon sensed the awkward moment, jumped in. “Hey Sam, can I get some more coffee, please?” Sam reached back, grabbed the coffee decanter on the counter behind her and refilled his cup without batting an eyelash and kept her eyes on Brook the entire time, expecting her to finish her sentence.
Brook didn’t quite know how to explain her situation. This was the first time she had to aside from her mother, father and her besties.
“My husband and I are getting a divorce.” She blurted out.
“You don’t look a day over 20.” Sam replied. “And you’re already married?”
“I’m 25.”
“20, 25, whatever, you’re still so young. And beautiful.” She slaps Deacon on the shoulder with the back of her hand. “Deac, isn’t she beautiful?”
Deacon replied with a mouthful while giving Sam a disagreeable stare. “You’re pretty.”
Brook looked over at him. His bulging forearms perched on the counter holding up his fork. She blushed a little. She had gotten many compliments before but coming from Deacon, it somehow meant something. Maybe, it’s because she didn’t want him to hate her for almost running him over. Maybe, it’s because she was slightly attracted to him. She recomposed herself quickly and suddenly felt comfortable sharing more about her life. “We got married last year. Uh huh…yup. I was married for one whole year. I know, I’m 25 and already I failed at marriage.”
Sam looked at her. “Oh hey, you didn’t fail, honey. You just lived your life. That’s it. Who’s to say how your life is supposed to turn out? Nobody. There’s no right way or wrong way to live!”
Brook was at a loss for words again. In one shot, this waitress made her life seem less awful. But then she remembered her parents. “Well my parents would say how my life is supposed to turn out.”
Sam leaned in closer and smiled at Brook “Well you know the thing about parents is they want what’s best for you and they think they know everything. But they don’t.” Brook suddenly felt a huge weight had lifted off her shoulders. The way people talked here, just simplified things. Maybe because their brains are not cluttered with city stuff, she thought. Sam busied herself serving other customers while regularly glancing back at the two.
“So, where we you headed?” Deacon asked.
“I uh…” Brook tried to think of a smart answer but none came to mind. She replied shaking her head. “Nowhere, really.”
“Nowhere?” Deacon didn’t understand how someone with a fancy car would drive through Evansville without a purpose. “For someone who is going nowhere, you seemed pretty pissed that you can’t get there.”
Brook was at a loss for words again. He was right. What was I so pissed about? She thought to herself.
“I guess I really wasn’t going anywhere. I needed some air so I went for a drive. A very long drive.”
Deacon didn’t want to pry into what seemed to be more personal issues she was having. He switched back to business talk. “I’ll try to get your car going as soon as possible. But, it’s an old one. A nice one, but it’s 9 years old. Is the cost of a new engine worth it for you to keep the car?”
“What do you mean?”
“The new engine plus the work is going to cost you a few thousand. Some people just get rid of the car and get themselves another one. But it’s your choice.”
“I guess I’ll have to think about it.”
“I’ll order the engine anyways and we can cancel the order if you change your mind.”
“Thank you.”
Both had nearly finished their meals. After sitting there for an hour although not really saying much to each other. The diner had cleared out by then. Deacon got up to go to the washroom. “Check please, Sam” as he walked off.
Sam smirked and laughed. “Ha! You’re funny.”
“I think he means he’s done eating and wants to pay.” Brook added.
“Oh, yeah, I know what he thinks he means, honey.”
Brook, realized their relationship was a unique and a close one. “Oh.”
Sam walked over to Brook to give her some coffee. Deacon returns to his seat. Sam quickly jumps in. “Brook, while you’re in town, why don’t you let here Deacon take you out for a ride?” Sam was obviously setting them up. Deacon and Brook both sat up and awkwardly looking at each other. Sam continued, knowing very well they were both uncomfortable. “Now, Deacon, you told me she’s stuck here for a few days. What’s a girl to do? You like riding, take her to the mountains. You haven’t been up there in a while and I know you need a break from all that work in that shop. Go out and get some fresh air this weekend!” Sam glanced back and forth at the two of them and kept talking. “You like horses, Brook?” Knowing, to ask a question to which the answer is most likely going to be yes.
“Yes, I do. But um...” Brook answered, a little pleased that Sam had set her up. Being stuck in this town wasn’t going to be so bad after all.
“Deacon, you don’t have anything until that engine comes in. I know you are free.” Sam put him in a position he could not refuse.
Deacon shook his head. “I have three cars up on the rack.”
Sam knew they could wait. She sees everyone coming into his garage from her window. “Tanner’s car can wait. And the other two, I know are small jobs. Franky can handle it. Go on! You need a break. When was the last time you went up there?”
Deacon took a moment. “Okay.”
“Okay! That’s it! You’re taking a beautiful young lady riding, which is not something he does every day. Well actually, never.” Sam halfway through her sentence, tilted her head over to Brook in a whisper. Then back at Deacon “And all you can say is okay?!” She laughed while she walked over to get some pie. She returned and gave a plate to Deacon and put a piece in front of Brook. “Here hon, have some pie.” She slowly turned around and walked away. “Best raspberry pie in town!”
Deacon took a fork to his pie in a happier mood. “She’s right…about the pie.”
Brook looked straight ahead. “She’s like a magician.” Referring to the way she ran circles around the both of them just now.
Both smiled knowing very well they had been set up.
***
Joey walked in and went for the stool between the Deacon and Brook. She quickly removed her purse. “Thanks, Brook.” He sat down, while Sam poured him some coffee.
“You want something to eat, Joe?” Sam asked.
“Me? No, I brought a sandwich today. Thanks.” Joey replied. He sensed the silence between the two. “Hey, what happened here?” He looked over at Sam, then over at Deacon, then at Brook. “Why is everyone so quiet? Are these two still fighting, Sam?”
“No, Joe. Eve
rything is right as rain.” Sam reassured Joey.
Joey looked over at Deacon. “I’m giving her a ride to Spring Valley. That’s where she’ll be staying. You know, while your fixin’ her car.”
Deacon got up to leave. He never paid for his meals. Sam never took his money. He fixes her car, and she lets him eat for free. He’s helped her many times with her teenage sons when things went bad. Over the year, they’ve become family. “You’re a good man, Joe.”
“Awe, it ain’t nothin’. Hey I’ll see you back at the shop Deac.”
“Okay, bud. See ya.”
Deacon walked towards the door. Brook didn’t know what to say. He didn’t say goodbye to her. It was enough that they had a date. She turned to watch him leave. His arms pushed the door open with two fingers as though the door weighed one pound. His stride was strong and fearless. He walked like nothing could touch him. It’s sexy, thought Brook.
Joey started talking about this and that again. He finally finished his coffee. Brook suggested he take her to the motel now. She left the diner with Joey feeling much better than she was earlier.
***
Sheryl walked over to Sam with a rag to wipe down the counter. “You think she’s better for Deacon than me?” A little peeved at Sam for setting them up.
Sam looked at Sheryl. “Oh you, it’s not about who’s better.” Sam knew that Sheryl had a thing for Deacon. “She’s just a better match, that’s all. She’s just what he needs right now. The poor thing.” Deacon had lost his wife two years ago and hadn’t been with a woman since. “Besides, he likes her!”
“What makes you think that?”
“Ever seen Deacon spend more than twenty minutes eating lunch? He’s sat there for well over an hour. He wasn’t saying much but he had two cups of coffee AND a piece of pie.”
That was enough to convince Sheryl that Deacon really did like Brook. She started to panic. “So, what she got that I don’t have?” Sheryl looked out the window at Brook driving off with Joey.
Sam knew she was jealous but there was nothing she could do about it. “For one thing, she’s 25.”
“So!”
“You’re 40.”
“So! Some men like older women. Besides, Deacon’s 33.”
“You’re married.”
“I would leave Chester in a minute if Deacon asked me out.”
Sam was busy cleaning up. She looked up at Sheryl and laughed. “I know you would!” They both laughed. “She’s not staying.” Sam, referring to the fact that Brook was only there temporarily trying to divert Sheryl’s attention off Brook. “You know Chester would hate you if you went after Deacon.” In high school, Deacon had dated Chester’s sister and broke her heart when he left her for Annabelle, whom he fell deeply for and married a few years later.
“I know!” Sheryl replied. “But I can dream, can’t I.”
They both laughed and continued tidying up the diner.
Chapter Four
A sweet couple in their sixties ran the motel in town. The rooms were well kept and there was a pool out back. There wasn’t much to it, 10 rooms and a common area with a television and a couple of tables where guests could eat breakfast. The couple lived in the house next door.
“Are you in town for long?” Asked the old man behind the counter with a scuffed-up voice while signing her in.
“Not long! I had car trouble. I’m waiting for them to fix it. I don’t know exactly how long it’s going to take.”
“Oh, I see” said the man. He handed her the keys. “Well, you can pay day by day if you wish. There’s toast, yogurt, eggs, and some fruit in the fridge if you want breakfast. You can help yourself. Over there, you’ve got tea and coffee and in the cupboard, is cereal, oatmeal, beans. And, there’s your microwave and toaster.”
“Great! Thank you.”
“Let us know if you need anything, darling. I’m Ed and my wife is Carole. She’s doing some laundry right now, but you’ll meet her soon enough.”
Thank you, Ed. I’m Brook.”
“You have yourself a good evening, Brook.”
“You too Ed.”
Although the motel was small, it was actually fresh and homely. It had a working shower and she had spent long enough in there to wash away the grit, dirt, and grime of a couple days on the road plus the added adventure of Evansville. The warm water trickling down her nearly perfect young body was soothing, all the grim from the past two days washed away. Her hair had been a mess since she had been driving with the top down, although pulled up and clipped into a bun. She streaked her hair every monthly visit at Layers, a posh and trendy salon for the younger crowd, where she went with her besties to hang. They had their hair done and got “mani/pedis” while chatting and flipping through their phones talking about the latest trends. The thought made her open her eye, with the water dripping down from the top of her head, she realized she was no longer in the lap of luxury. Maybe I’ll get a manicure tomorrow, she thought.
She sat on her bed, slowly dosing off while watching television. She didn’t realize until then how tired she really was. It was nice to get out of those sticky clothes. Her skin was still warm underneath the robe from the steamy shower. Even though it was only seven o’clock, Brook turned off the lights and slid under the covers. Ah! She thought. She went to sleep feeling much better than she did when she woke up that morning.
***
It was early morning and Brook was just squirming around under her blanket, slowly stretching her arms and legs, feeling revived. She slept better than she had slept in months. Being with Brad was exhausting. She felt like she had aged quite a bit being married to him. Only now was she starting to feel like a young woman again. She jumped out of bed, feeling pretty good, pulled out some clothes she had stuffed into her bag, and had even found time to add a little make-up. Just her eyes, nothing more. But it was enough to make her feel good. Her hair now smelt sweet and fresh rather than like someone had smeared a packet of burnt grease through it. Maybe she was exaggerating but whatever, she actually felt great.
She made her way to the common area and made herself a bowl of oatmeal. She sat quietly watching the sunrise over the mountains top in the distance. It was nearly seven in the morning. The sound of a door opening in the kitchen area and footsteps and humming, then the sound of the fridge door opening and closing. The person was carrying paper boxes and plastic bags by the sound of it. Carole walked into the common area and saw Brook at the table eating.
“Oh! Good morning there!” Carole was a loud talker, almost shouting all her words as though the other person couldn’t hear her, when in fact, it was Carole that was hard of hearing. Carole wore a hearing aid but never had it set right. “I’m Carole, you must be Brook, I help run this place. Ed told me you came in last night.”
“Yes! Good morning.”
“What are you eating there?” She looked over at Brook’s bowl. “Let me fix you up some eggs and toast.”
“Oh, that’s okay, you don’t have to do that.”
“Nonsense, it’s my pleasure! And it’s going to taste better than that sad bowl of oatmeal you’re eating. Do you like white bread or brown?” She turned on the stove and put a pot of coffee on.
“Brown.”
Carole popped the bread into the toaster.
“How do you like your eggs?”
“Sunnyside. But I’m not picky.”
“Sunnyside, it is.” Carole yells out the order as though she were a short order cook. She fried the eggs with a great big smile, humming some tune, Brook could not recognize.
Carole brought over the eggs and toast with a basket of individual sized pre-packaged butter. Brook grabbed a set of cutleries from bins by the toaster. Carole had some work to do but thought the thing to do was to sit down. She grabbed herself a yogurt from the fridge and sat down to keep Brook company, at least for a few minutes.
“Are you here on business?” Carole’s voice filled the large empty room o
f the common area.
“Oh, no!” laughed Brook. “Why do you ask?”
“That’s what Ed thought. He said you looked fancy. But now, I see, I think he meant pretty.”
“No, my car broke down, I was driving through town, just driving.”
“Just driving, eh? I hope driving to someplace.” She laughed. “Since you’re here, take advantage of the pool we have out back. It’s going to be a hot week.”
“Oh, I would but I didn’t pack a bathing suit.”
“There’s a shop in town, I’m sure they will have something in your size. And there is a mall in the next town. It’s got lots of shops for young girls like you, if you can get there, that is. No skinny dipping! I don’t like my Ed looking at naked women, not even myself!” She let out a loud chuckle as she got up from the table.”
Brook laughed “I’ll check out the shops. Thank you.”
“Have a great day, dear.” Carole made her way to the kitchen to continue her morning chores.
“Thanks, you too!”
***
Brook decided to head into town, even though she thought it might be too early and that everything would be closed. The sun had lighted up the streets, someone was walking their dog and waved at her from across the way. She waved back and smiled. It was a beautiful morning for a stroll. The air was warm with a nice soft breeze rattling the leaves in the trees. Brook, still had no plan but for the first time since she left home, she didn’t have a care in the world. She could hear a car driving up behind her, it slowed and stopped next to her. It was Sheryl from the diner. Sheryl rolled down the passenger window.
“Good morning, it’s me, Sheryl, from the diner?”
“Good morning. Hi.”
Sheryl reached across the passenger seat to shake her hand. “You want a ride?”
Brook smiled. Although she was enjoying her walk, it was nice to have some company. “Sure! Thanks.” She got into Sheryl’s old mustang and they started driving.
“So, I hear your car is in real bad shape. Don’t worry, though. If anyone can fix it, it’s Deacon. Uh! That man.” Sheryl jumped at the opportunity to talk about Deacon. This was probably her only chance, since she’s got her in the car, alone.
