Page 77 of Love Bites

WOLF SPELL

BELLA

Icouldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

But a quick glance around the tables at Sally’s told me the same story it always did. Everything was the sleek chrome and candy-apple red you would expect in a fifties-themed diner.

The air was fragrant with the rich scents coming off the fryer. Customers nursed cups of bottomless coffee, their clinks and murmurs providing the underlying soundtrack to the half of my life that didn’t involve attending nursing classes and cramming for tests.

The steady hum of the dishwasher and the soft sound of the blues playing on Daniel’s radio floated in from the back. The cook moonlighted as a guitarist when he wasn’t flipping pancakes.

I was picking up some slight creeper vibes from the guy in the corner at table twelve, but stuff like that was par for the course, and I didn’t think much of it at this point.

My senses told me all was right with the world, but I still couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something a little off. It was probably just one too many late shifts this week, on top of the pressure of early October mid-terms.

I shook my head to clear it and slipped behind the counter. My tables were all quiet, so I reached into my bag and pulled out my Chem textbook to sneak in a few minutes of studying.

I had a mid-term tomorrow, and late nights of work always meant less time to study. When she lost her other late-shift waitress last week, Sally herself had let me know that if I took on the extra shifts, I could study whenever things were quiet.

The joke was obviously on me. Customers seemed to be able to sniff out when I was finally able to focus on the page.

On the other hand, more shifts meant more money. And I definitely needed the money.

I opened the book and took a deep breath, ready to sink in.

Someone across the room cleared his throat.

I looked up and straight into the eyes of the creepy guy in the corner.

He was middle-aged, with grizzled gray-brown hair, a potbelly and a filthy jean jacket - your standard creep in a diner.

He lifted his coffee cup.

I seriously didn’t know how he could drink this much coffee. He had been calling me over for refills every few minutes since he got here almost two hours ago.

I nodded and grabbed the carafe. The dark liquid inside sloshed as I walked, the bitter scent reminding me of my mother. I had poured endless cups of coffee for her too, trying to sober her up in the darker times.

“Thanks, kid,” the guy rasped.

Even though it made it harder to pour, I stood on the opposite side of the table to keep out of pawing distance. Customers almost always kept their hands to themselves, but there was no point tempting fate.

He didn’t push the cup closer to make it any easier for me, so I had to lean over. It made me thankful that my uniform was buttoned all the way up, so at least he wasn’t getting a free show. He smelled like a million cigarettes, even though there was no smoking in the diner.

The big window behind him looked out over the half-empty parking lot. It was dark already, but at least the night looked crisp and dry. A good night for a walk.

Which of course made me think of my brother. If the weather back home in Philly was this good, hopefully he was getting out and getting some fresh air. Though I strongly suspected Mom wasn’t staying on top of that.

In the days after his accident he hadn’t wanted to be outside at all. He didn’t want anyone to see him in his chair and feel sorry for him. I had to lure him out there with the promise of orange soda and a paperback of the corny knock-knock jokes we had loved since we were kids.

I made a mental note to call and check in again when I got home. Jon hadn’t been returning all of my messages lately, but I missed him, and I still tried to reach him every day.

“Almost closing time, hon’,” Sally called to me from behind the counter as I stepped away from the table.

I nodded to her.

Almost-closing-time was usually wishful thinking. But it meant Sally would relieve me and close up shop herself, which was a big relief. I needed some serious study time.

I topped off coffee mugs for a young couple who were pretending to study but really just relaxing together, his arm around her slender shoulders.

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