"Can You Tell Me Where..."
The tinkling of the bell overhead drew everyone's eyes my way. Shaking off the raindrops from my coat, just guaranteed that everyone was watching me. I had picked up an old baseball cap, in the hope of protecting and disguising just who I was on this mission of mercy. Trying not to make eye contact with anyone was pretty easy. After all, I'm on the other side of town, away from anyone and everyone who would know me. I even planned ahead and asked to borrow a friend's car, especially for this trip. It was all part of the subterfuge, a very necessary one at that.
Now, just to find what I'm after without drawing more attention to me is the key. Just in and out in a few minutes. "That's all I need, just a few minutes." I told myself over and over again. I've always tried to avoid being the one folks would talk about but yet, here I am in this situation. I prefer to be under the radar and today, especially today, that was my plan. Hence the disguise and skulking around the shelves as I am.
I used to go to church. As a matter of fact, my family prided themselves on going regularly and even saying a prayer for me. But now, I'm finding myself somewhere I'd rather not be at all. All because I stupidly gave in and did what I wanted to do without considering the consequences.
Now here I am, with a piece of paper in my hand, starting at the first aisle looking for the name of what I need. Who knew there were so many products, packages, pills, potions, creams and ointments? The bell tinkles again and I fall into the trap of temptation, looking to see who just came in the door. Curiosity and a mixture of fear roiled in my stomach. I was feeling a bit agitated and this is only the first aisle.
I can feel a drop of sweat slowly going down my spine as I peruse the products in front of me. The names are all blurry but still I'm scanning as I hope against hope that I find it, quickly, not wanting to draw any attention to myself by asking for help. So, here I am scanning the shelves for the right product.
Nothing.
Not in this aisle anyway.
Too bad I picked a Mom and Pop place to check out. While this might take me some time, I'm determined to find what I need with no one knowing my name. Hearing the pharmacist yell out, "Bob! Your drugs are done." Well. That just completely shattered my hopes. Once again I looked around to see if I knew anyone in case they recognized me, heaven forbid. I slowly released the breath I was unwittingly holding as I sighed in relief.
Picking up the package that appeared to me to be the one to work, I read the label. Oh boy. After reading the side effects, I put that down in a hurry. Who wants it to go on for days? I can't bear what I'm going through now, much less two weeks at the most. Surely there has to be a shortcut to all this mess. If I'd just listened to the voice inside my head for once, I wouldn't be in this situation.
Finally, I started looking around and noticing just how many customers this place had. I never noticed it had a grill in the back, off a small breezeway leading there. I was looking into the small restaurant when I heard the speaker announce that "grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup" were the special of the day. Judging by the announcement, it was what everyone was waiting for. I could almost smell the coffee from where I was standing.
That was what sent most of the customers there instead of being around me, which let me breathe a sigh of relief. Unfortunately, it looks like I'm going to have to ask someone for help after all. Short lived at best but at least no one was around while I looked for my badly needed purchase. I just prayed I wouldn't have to ask the loud-mouthed person about it.
Another voice came over the speaker, "Today's special is only a dollar and 99 cents. Why not enjoy it while Fred fills your shopping list? Drop your prescription off at the counter and come on back and enjoy our meal!" It was said with such enthusiasm that I actually considered doing just that.
Until I looked around and decided now was a good time as any to really start searching for the exact item I was after. Ignoring my growling stomach, I kept looking. All the names of these products were running together.
'Maybe I should just drop it off and let someone else worry about it. I haven't run into anyone yet that I know. This might just work in my favor,' I thought.
With a purpose in mind, I did just what I was thinking of.
"Excuse me," I said to the clerk and her boss. "Can you please tell me where I can find this?" holding out the paper I had clutched in my hand ever since leaving the dry car.
"Oh, we'll have to fill that. It's not an over the counter medicine you can find. It's a prescription medication which only we can dispense. Why not give us about thirty minutes and we'll take care of it for you?"
The clerk had a red face once she saw exactly what it was that I needed. I couldn't blame her for that one. This was all on me.
"I'll just go and have the special while I wait. Grilled cheese and the soup are my favorites anyway, maybe some coffee as well," I muttered uncomfortably to her before I turned and quickly walked away.
I found a stool at the counter and placed my order. The waitress seemed friendly enough and was kept busy with all the passing traffic coming in from the street.
The coffee tasted just like the aroma promised, bold and smooth going down my throat. I watched as the rain splattered against the window of the diner even harder.
"You'd have to be some kind of fool to be out in this weather," the guy to my left said to no one in particular.
"I know, but I can't stay away from these lunch specials. Me and the Missus come here all the time just for this weekly meal," commented the man on the other side of me. His wife bobbed her head in agreement.
I felt their eyes on me so after taking a deep breath, I just said to no one in particular, "I was in the area and decided to stop in. I dropped off my prescription for something and the coffee smelled so good I'm glad I took a chance and came here."
"You won't be sorry for the meal you're about to enjoy, that's a fact," the man said to me. The others hummed and nodded in concurrence.
Just then my coffee was refilled and right after that we all were digging into the best Grilled Cheese Sandwich I had ever had. The soup was a perfect complement to it, right along with my third cup of coffee.
I noticed the diner was about full except for one or two tables up against the back wall. Following my gaze, one of the men said, "We keep those tables empty just in case the silent backer and his partners come in. Never know when that will happen around here. Sometimes not even for months, but then again, the tables will always remain waiting for them. Most of the time, it's just him and his wife when they do take a hankering to come this way. Don't bother anyone and from what I hear the tips are more than enough to cover a week's worth of wages here."
"Well, I'll be sure to come back whenever I get the chance. This lunch just hits the spot. I'll have to mark this on my calendar," I told the gentleman.
"See that you do. This neighborhood needs all the help it can get with the economy and all. Why, you should try the pie here. It's to die for!" the woman said over her husband to no one in particular.
Nodding my head in understanding I happened to look up as the door opened with a gust of wind, just as I finished off my coffee.
Snorting in just who strolled in, barely having a drop of rain on them, I met the couple's eyes on me just as the announcement came over the speaker:
"Will Mr. Joe Morelli please stop by and pick up your medication. The clinic has provided you with refills as well."
My humiliation was complete as Steph and Ranger both smirked in my direction after hearing the word clinic.
Now everyone will know I have an STD.
xoxoxoxoxxoxoxo
A/N ...well did you like it? All are property of Janet.
Many many thanks to Ms. Kim aka MMBabefanmmm for graciously helping me with her magnificent colors and keeping me on the path of these One-Shots.
(Nano writing time, I qualified for the rebel badge due to it being one or two shots, how about that?)
:)