Page 23 of Spiritwarrior

She released the breath she had been unconsciously holding when she saw a teenager sitting at the counter.

“Hi,” she greeted him warmly, nearly crying when the young man gave her a shy smile in return.

“Hi.”

“You just get out of school?” she asked, seeing a backpack placed next to him on the chair.

“Yes, ma’am. My uncle picked me up. He had to finish some work before taking me home. He told me I can wait here until he gets off.”

“Can I get you something?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’d like a cheeseburger and some fries.”

Sophie’s smile broadened. “I can do that. What would you like to drink?”

“A glass of milk, ma’am.”

“How about you call me Sophie, and the milk will be on the house?”

“Thank you, ma’am …” the boy broke off with a blush.

Sophie couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ll let you get by with it this time, if you tell me your name.”

“Logan Porter.”

Sophie held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Logan.”

“It’s nice to meet you, too.”

“I’ll get your milk then put your hamburger on.”

Reaching inside the small fridge under the condiments section, she took out the milk to pour him a large glass, then placed it down in front of him before she left him alone to return to the kitchen to put the hamburger on. Placing the fries in the basket, she waited until the hamburger was almost done before dropping the fries.

I could get the hang of this, she congratulated herself.As long as I only have one customer at a time, she thought wryly. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t be able to pay many bills.

Dropping the fries, she readied the bun and, once it was done, placed it on the plate before pulling the fries.

When she carried the plate to the counter, she saw Logan had been drawing something in a notebook. She was able to catch a peek before it was flipped closed.

“I wish I could draw like that.” Scooting the ketchup closer to him, she admitted, “I’m lucky to draw a square with a ruler.”

“It’s just doodling.” He shrugged, staring down at his plate.

“Seemed very detailed for doodling,” she remarked, looking toward the door and seeing a sheriff’s deputy come swaggering inside.

The deputy appeared to look sixty with his shock of white hair until he drew closer to sit down next to Logan. Studying him up close, she subtracted about fifteen years from his age.

“Hello, may I help you?”

Logan spoke up. “This is my uncle Greer.”

“Greer Porter.” The deputy took his eyes off Logan’s plate long enough to introduce himself.

“Nice to meet you, Deputy Porter.”

“Greer will do.”

“Sophie,” she introduced herself.

---