October 7, 1970
Darry POV
"All right! Group D, time for your lunch. Be back by 1:45." The boss called through his megaphone. I put my gloves on the table by my tools and grabbed my jacket. It was blazing on the roof but I would get cold fast as I went to town.
"Darrell, you joining us?" Jack called as he and some other guys started walking.
"Naw. You go ahead." Jack waved goodbye and they went off. I headed toward town and spotted the diner. Rover's.
I opened the door and the bell chimed. The hostess smiled and took me to my regular booth. I glanced at the menu to see if there was anything new.
"Hello sir, welcome to Rover's. How are you doing today?" A chipper voice said next to me. I looked up at the waitress. I'd never seen her before. She appeared young, the apron band tied in the front and her shirt a little longer than the other ladies.
"I'm fine. Could I have a coffee, the Club Sandwich, and fries?" I said.
"I guess you've been here before." She giggled slightly.
"You could say that. What about you?"
"I just started working here this week."
"I thought the owner didn't hire anyone under twenty?"
"Well I just turned twenty-one. Plus I have family here so I could have started working even earlier." I smiled slightly at her confidence and she smiled back. "How did you know the age to apply?"
"I tried to get my first job here, but that was eight years ago."
"So you're twenty-seven now?
"Twenty-six."
"All righty then. So you'll have coffee, sandwich and fries. Will that be all?" She asked taking my menu.
"Yes, but it might help if you write it down." I said handing her the pad and pen she set on the table.
"Oh silly me." She said smiling. "By the way my name's Alexandra if you need anything else."
"Thanks. I'm Darrell by the way." I'm not sure why I introduced myself, but it felt necessary.
"You're welcome." She turned and headed to the kitchen, moving some strands of her blonde hair behind her ears.
I fiddled with my jacket slightly as I waited for Alexandra to return. I looked out the window at the wind blowing some loose papers near the ground. I heard someone walking and ice tumble in a glass. Before I knew it, I was wet and freezing.
"Oh my Lord, I'm so sorry!" Someone said behind me. I looked over at Alexandra shuffling through her apron and pulling out a handful of napkins while balancing her drink tray. I took off my soaking jacket and took some of the napkins.
"Oh it's fine." I replied, trying to wipe myself off.
"I guess that's one way to clean a table." She laughed, wiping the table with a rag. "You'll warm up soon. I started a fresh batch of coffee." I looked up and she smiled at me.
"Thanks." She finished serving the family near me and then came back with my coffee. Her eyes twinkled as she handed me my food and we talked a bit more about the happenings around the town.
"Here's your check." She looked at my shirt that was still wet. "Sorry again about that."
"It's no problem. I'll dry off at work." I said, disappointed I'd have to return to the flaming hot roof.
"All right then. Have a good day." I took out my wallet as I calculated the tip. $6.30 so $1.25 regular tip. I set out two bucks for her. I picked up my jacket and started out for the door.
"See you tomorrow Darrell?" Alexandra asked behind me. I turned around as I put my hand on the door and she smiled.
"Probably." I smiled back, the door ringing as I pushed it open.
