Atone (The Disciples 2)

DAVID/POET“Hi, welcome to Norm’s.” An older woman with a Norm’s waitress outfit and blue-gray hair hands us some menus from the front counter. “Go ahead and sit anywhere.” She gestures as she turns to pour a customer some coffee.

“Thank you.” Charlie takes them and slides into a booth by the window facing the street. She bites her lip. When she frowns, she gets the cutest line between her eyebrows.

“What’s wrong, Beautiful?” I grab one of the menus from her. She leans forward and I almost reach for her neck to kiss her. What the fuck is wrong with me?

“So, I love running my parents’ diner. I’m proud of it.” Her long nails tap the table. “But my biggest fear is… that is going to be me.” She whispers the last part as she looks over her shoulder at the older woman.

“I have a good feeling that’s not going to happen.” I can’t help but grin and reach for her hand while she continues to tap the table.

“No, I’m already showing signs of being like an old maid. Like my mom is way hipper than me.” Her eyes are huge as she nods like I should absolutely get this. And that tightening in my chest makes me rub my necklace almost as if I need it to protect me from her.

I pull my hand away and wish I could smoke in here. I need one.

Looking at the menu, I say, “How do you know that woman is not doing exactly what she wants? That she enjoys getting out and being with people? I mean look at her.” We both peek over at the woman laughing at something someone at the counter said to her.

“Umm… that’s absurd,” she whispers, but her mouth twitches and her frown is gone.

She leans back. “No one should have to wait tables when they are older. It’s so hard on your body and stressful. She’s probably alone with her cats.” She picks up her menu.

“What can I get for you two lovelies?” The older woman smiles. She must be a wine drinker. Her teeth have a slight purple tint.

“Hi, good morning.” Charlie smiles at her cheerfully.

“Good morning.” She chuckles as she pulls out her pad. “You two ready?”

“Yes.” Charlie glances at me. “You’re ready, right?” She eyes me, like the poor woman is going to faint if we don’t order right now.

“Yes.” I can’t help but smile. “Go ahead, Beautiful.”

“You’re a lucky girl. You take care of this one. He’s awfully nice to you and not bad to look at.” The waitress bats her eyes at me. Her weathered hand taps Charlie’s shoulder.

“Yes. He’s very handsome.” She looks at me and grins at the waitress. “I’ll have a spinach and cheddar cheese omelet with French fries in place of hash browns and sourdough toast, please.”

Clearing her throat, the waitress looks at me.

“I’ll take the Bigger Better Breakfast, eggs over medium, and biscuit and gravy. And two coffees.” I slam the menu shut and take Charlie’s, handing them to the waitress.

“Thank you…?”

“Betty, oh Lord.” She winks at me. “If I was thirty-five years younger, I’d scoop you up. Course I would have given you back, seeing how I still can’t decide if I like men or woman.” She laughs at Charlie who can’t hide her shock or the fact that her cheeks are a deep pink.

“I’ll be back with your coffees.” She chuckles all the way to the kitchen.

Charlie sits with her big red puffy lips pursed, reminding me that not more than an hour ago, they were wrapped around my cock. I lean back and smirk at her.

“See, old Betty seems fine.”

“I have no words.” She shakes her head, a smile peeking out. As she puts her napkin on her lap, she thanks the busboy for the water.

“I need a cigarette.” I nod at Betty who waddles up with the coffee.

“Me too,” she grumbles as she pours and sets the plastic carafe on the table.

“Thank you,” Charlie calls after her and waves a hand.

Turning back around, we look at each other, and I take a sip of the hot bitter mud they call coffee. “I want to know what you were doing last night.”

She reaches for her cup and straightens her shoulders.

“I already told you. Playing pool.”

“Did you know that bar is a Disciples bar?” She shakes her head. “Had Kimmie not called, you and Barbie probably would have been raped.” I say this to scare her because she’s not looking at all like she has any remorse.

She sets down her coffee cup with a clank. “Okay, David, I’m not helpless. Trust me, there is no way I’d let that happen.” She raises a brow at me, which pisses me off.

“Why are you hustling? Do you need money?”

Her face gets pinker and she looks down at her purse. “I need to use the restroom.”