Chapter 5
As I continued to gape at the menu, the door opened and closed causing a bell to tinkle. The stool next to me swiveled and someone sat down. Ignoring them for a moment, figuring that they would ignore me, I stared at the menu. It was getting difficult to ignore the person because her perfume was strong and appealing. Never smelled anything like it.
"Hello." Said a voice that sounded like a wind chime. Looking up I saw the girl sitting next to me and looked into the strangest eyes I have ever seen. They were gold, almost liquid like and drew anyone in with just one look. Her skin was a pale white but was perfect. Not a scar or blemish could be seen. Her raven hair was short and stuck out at all angles. Something about her appearance reminded me of someone familiar. I quickly dismissed that thought and continued staring at her. It was rude by I couldn't help it.
When I didn't respond, she raised a perfect brow and continued smiling.
"Oh…uh…hi." I said awkwardly.
Going back to the menu, I flipped it over and looked at the side orders and desserts. From the corner of my eye I saw that she was taking in my appearance. Granted I wasn't dressed for success by any means. Still had on the clothes I went to work in this morning. Didn't have time to change before going to class and fell asleep in them. So, I can imagine what I look like now.
"My name is Alice." She said taking her lace-covered gloves off and placing them on the counter. Even her movements were graceful.
"Hi Alice." I said without looking up. I know it was rude but I am really uncomfortable meeting new people, especially ones who look like a Goddess'. It was a self defense mechanism. If I push them away then they wouldn't talk to me and I will be saved from being rejected later on. Something I learned at a young age. However, this was a dream and I might as well play along. It's not like I will remember it when I wake up anyway.
"I'm Abby." Smiling back. Her smile got bigger and I can see the twinkling in her eyes as she leaned against the counter.
"Your not from around here are you?"
"Uh, no...I'm not." I replied. I don't even know where here is, but I don't remember a diner looking like this in the Springs, so apparently I wasn't there.
"I thought so."
Going back to the menu and fidgeting under her scrutiny, I stared chewing on my the inside of my cheek. Deciding to take the plunge and ask where we are, the cook came out from the kitchen. He was a big man, well over six-five and weighed at least 300 pounds. He had small beady eyes and short blond hair that hid under a white hat. His white tee shirt was stained with grease from cooking.
"Hey there sweetheart." He said with a gruff voice. "Will it be the usual?"
"Of course, Mac. Why stray from tradition!" Alice stated, giving the cook, Mac, a knowing smile.
"What will your cute little friend have?" Giving me a once over and liking what he saw. My brows shot up into my bangs at his bluntness. Looking over at Alice and she was giving me a mischievous smirk at their joke.
"Uh. I'm not very hungry. Thanks though." I stated, trying not to blush and failing miserably.
"Go ahead pick something, I got it." Alice insisted.
"Okay." I said picking the menu back up and glancing over it once more.
"The prices are..." before I can finish the sentence, Mac started barking back.
"What about the prices? Are they too high? Those are the best prices around, kiddo." He rattled off. Kiddo! I haven't been called that in about ten years. I know I look young for my age, but still.
"Oh no." I said, "The prices are very reasonable. Haven't seen anything this cheap in a long time." Trying to appease the hulk of a man.
"Calm down Mac and let her chose." Alice said defensively.
Grumbling Mac walked down the length of the counter and grabbed a cup and filled it with ice and held it under the fountain machine. Dark soda came pouring out filling the cup up to the brim. Fascinated, I smiled at what was taking place down at the other end of the counter. Never seen a soda fountain like that before. Following my gaze, Alice looked at Mac and then me.
"You really aren't from around here." She stated. I shook my head and looked at her instead of the cook.
"I've never seen a soda fountain like that before." I said nodding at the contraption. She looked at that and then me again giving me a disbelieving look.
"Where are you from?" interest in her voice.
Looking at her I said, "out west." Not giving too much information away. Don't want to sound stupid and say where I'm from in case we are in Colorado Springs, but in a different time, which is starting to dawn on me. I had to think on that one for a while, but not now.
"Really." Alice said. Her eyes glazed over for a second and refocused on me. Smiling she said, "What's it like in Colorado?"
Thrown completely, I gape at her. How in the world did she know that? Blinking several times and trying to get my brain back on track, Alice sits there and waits patiently for me to respond, still smiling, like she was expecting this.
"How did you know I was from Colorado?" I ask dumbfounded.
"I just do."
I was suddenly taken back to a different time and person who said the exact same thing. Shaking my head I close my eyes and try to focus on the now and this person. Something tells me that this is a newer and perfect version of my imaginary friend, Mary Alice.
"Are you okay?" she asked, genuine concern in her voice and eyes.
Looking up at her I notice that the other patrons look over at us wondering if something bad is about to happen and they don't want to miss a thing.
"No." I replied, "You remind me of someone I once knew." Swallowing hard I try not to let her know how much it hurt to think of my best friend is.
"I was thinking the same thing. You look familiar somehow." It was her turn to stare at the counter.
"Well, Baby Doll, did you pick something?" Mac barked making me jump. Baby Doll!
"Um. I'll just have a Coke for now. Thank you!" I said.
"We have Pepsi only." He stated.
"Even better." Was never a fan of Coke anyway.
"Don't worry, he calls all the girls that." Alice said as Mac went back down the counter to fill my order.
"Oh. It's just weird hearing it." I said.
Really?" Alice asked intrigued. "Tell me more." She seems just as enthusiastic as Mary Alice was when I talked about my life. Quit thinking about that!
"Well, I don't hear much of that," pointing to Mac, "where I live."
"Really!"
"Yeah." I said. How do I explain the slang of our time to someone from her time? Pondering how I'm gonna explain to Alice the difference in slang she points to my shirt.
"What does door to floor mean, by the way?" she asked amused by the words stitched on my shirt. Looking at it, I look at her and explain.
"It's just something I do at my job. The company named the department that works in unloading the truck of clothes and such and getting it ready to take to the floor and organizing it in a way the appeals to the customer." I also never knew how hard it was to explain something to someone not in retail and speak retail language. Boy, maybe I should become more familiar with the different decades and how they talk before dreaming about them.
"Interesting." She mused. "So, you work in fashion?"
"Um. Not really. Well, maybe." I have no idea what she means by that.
"I work in a retail store." I said. She looks at me to continue.
"It's a clothing store…and we also sell small appliances." I explain.
"What kind of small appliances?"
"You know, coffeemakers, blenders and mixers. That kind of stuff." I said.
"Hmm. Interesting." She nods at this revelation. "What is the name of this retail store you work at?" Knowing that JCPenney's has been around since 1903 I know, at least I hope, it has made its way this far east.
"JCPenney's." I state with a since of pride. May not be too proud of some the places I have worked but JCPenney's isn't one of them.
"Well, I just have to go have a look for myself and see what they have." She announced.
"Oh. And, they do have a catalog where you can order stuff through too." I said, remembering that the catalog was very popular throughout its history.
"They probably have more stuff in there than in the store."
"Okay. Thanks for telling me."
We sit there in silence for a bit mulling over what was just said. I was getting ready to ask some questions about her when all of a sudden I got a flashing pain that ripped through my head and made me see white streaks of light. I must have cried out because I felt cool hands grab my arms and asked if I was okay. Groaning I rub my forehead and straightened up and tried to get everyone to calm down.
"I'm okay. Just got a stabbing pain in my head is all." I tried to ease everyone's fears but most likely failed.
"Really, I'm okay now." The pain was easing off and I barely felt anything now.
Mac went back to work but kept giving me sideway stares making sure I don't have another "episode." Alice never took her hand off my arm. Concern written all over her face.
"Seriously, Alice. I'm okay."
"Are you sure?" Still not convinced. Nodding I took a sip of my drink then licked my lips. It tasted different than what I'm used to Pepsi tasting. Something was different but a good different. Can't place my finger on it, but I liked it nonetheless. Taking a bigger swallow, I smack my lips and smile at Alice.
"Please tell me you have at least had soda before." Alice stated looking at me, a crease between her eyes.
"Of course, I have, just not this good before. It tastes different in Colorado." I replied. Raising her brow again, she gave me a pointed look to continue.
Sighing, I said, "Look, I know I probably look like a weirdo to you, but things are…different where I live." Still looking at me I roll my eyes. How do I explain to someone that things are different in the future? Ha! Future. Imagine that. I can time travel. I think…
Feeling the pressure start to build again in my head I do the only thing to save myself from telling her what I am capable of.
"Um. I'll be right back. Gotta use the restroom."
Getting up to find the restroom. I look to Alice to give me directions. Since she knows this place better than I do, she pointed to the far end of the counter and said it was around the corner. Walking that way I passed the table of men talking and heard one yell out, "Hey Cookie, why don't you come over here and cool down with me for a bit."
Looking over at him I gape and continued to the restroom. As I turned the corner I looked back down the counter and saw Alice giggling at the comment I just received. What in the world did that guy just ask me? Cookie?
Walking into the bathroom, I closed the door and looked around. The light was already on. At least, it was clean. It had a towel rack with clean; they looked clean, white towels and a washcloth. The sink was an average sized sink, oval with small silver handles and facet. Happy with what I was seeing I started for the toilet, but before I reached it, I had another flash of pain.
I squeezed my eyes shut willing the pain to go away. I heard Alice on the other side of the door demanding I unlock it but I couldn't. The edges of my eyesight were getting fuzzy and I felt my body lose control. The room began to tilt and before I hit the floor, I blacked out completely.