Page 9 of Crash and Burn

“You got it. Coming right up.”

I looked around again and noticed a couple of the older guys from yesterday sitting at the counter. They grumbled and chuckled amongst themselves about the latest thing they read in the newspaper. Sharon’s has a cool atmosphere, so it was nice to sit in there to work. The entire place is decked out in a 1950s style, with Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, and Etta James records on the wall. Stainless steel and chrome lined every piece of vinyl furniture and appliance. They even had working tabletop jukeboxes at each booth. It was like I stepped into a different time and place, and that was exactly what I needed at the time. Even though I had only been there once before, it had been the most time I spent away from the house in one sitting since Dev died. The fall weather was helping my mood, too. I’ve always liked cooler temperatures, leaves blowing around, and football games on every T.V.. The late September mornings had all of that in spades.

Sheila came back, setting down my coffee, cream, and sugar. That first warm sip eased my mind. I pulled my tablet and pencil out and got back to work on the logo for Charlie’s Lumber, taking advantage of the creative flow that I was in. Before I knew it, an hour had passed, and I was pulling the screen away from my eyes to look at the finished piece.

Sheila came back and said, “Watchya got there, honey?”

“I…uh...I’m a designer so I’ve been working on this piece for Charlie’s Lumber.”

“Well, it’s about time that old shop re-did their look. Can I get a closer look?”

I held it up for her to bend down and see it closely.

“Well, that is a fine logo you’ve done for them.”

“You thinkthey’lllike it?”

“Are you kidding? Charlie has been living in the ’80s for a long time. It’s about time he brings that shop current. He’ll love it.” She let out a laugh that made me laugh.

Someone interrupted to ask, “Shelia what tables do ya got, babe?”

I look up to see it was Amelia. She stopped in her tracks like a deer caught in the headlights. I tried to smile and then looked back down to my tablet.

“Hudson. Hi!”

“Hey! Amelia, right?”I’m an idiot. I know her name.

Amelia gave me a strange look, and just said, “Yeah...,” then turned to Sheila, continuing their conversation, “Ok, Sheila, I’ll grab the new tables in section three.”

Before Sheila took off again, I said, “Hey Sheila, thanks for the feedback on the logo.”

She beamed and said, “Anytime, hun! Can I get you anything else?”

“Well, could I have another cup of coffee?”

“Sure thing. I’ll be right back.”

I wondered why I ordered another cup, unsure if I should just go home. I turned my head to see Amelia wiping down tables. She looked tired or like something was bothering her. It was getting closer to seven-thirty p.m., so being in September, it was dark outside. I guessed that she was working another double shift. I decided to hang out a bit longer and make sure everything was all right.

Amelia turned to see me watching her and shot me a scowl, then started walking toward me.Shit.

“Did you really forget my name?”

“I…um... didn’t forget your name. I said it, didn’t I?”

“aMeLiA, rIgHt?” she mocked.

“Are you making fun of me?”

She just stared at me with a hard look on her face.

I couldn’t take it. “Listen, I remembered your name. I just didn’t want it to seem weird.”

She looked at her feet, looking a little embarrassed, and said, “Do you need more coffee?”

Do I need more coffee? No. Yes. I don’t know.“Yes, please.”Why? I just got a cup.I looked down, realizing I had drunk most of it. My phone buzzed, so I picked it up and saw Carter’s name.

I answered, “Yeah?”

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