Yes, I know. My updates are getting quite sporadic. I did have hopes to post this chapter last week, but due to the catastrophic ice storm that plagued my area, that didn't happen. As it is, my house is still without power (8 days and counting) so my only net access is at work.
For the story, I'm not exactly apologizing for the short length of this update. I don't want to combine the days, mainly because it's already confusing enough with the wacky timeline I've created. Although, for more impact, I recommend going back and reading the prologue. Reminder: this is not my typical type of story.
As always, thank you to everyone for your comments and reviews. They mean a great deal to me, and certainly help me to remember to get updates out faster! And thanks to Roswalyn for her continued support through this! (and ideas!)
Avoidance by Death
by lightwarai
Chapter 6
April 23rd, between midnight and 2am
(a few hours before the accident)
Randy wiped off the counter, throwing crumbs and food remnants on the floor. He had decided long ago that sweeping up the floor at the end of his shift was much easier and faster than trying to clean the counters every five minutes without dropping food on the floor.
The restaurant had quieted down, and rightly so. Few people stopped at the little dinner at these hours. Mostly those who chose to drive through the night and skip the hotels. The only patrons at the moment were a group of teenagers, obviously driving home from Florida. The young people mostly sported nice, deep tans, while a few had red noses and cheeks.
"Kids," he shook his head. "Probably never heard of sunscreen."
He went back to straightening when the door jingled, signaling more customers. He glanced at them, noting how tired they looked as they shook themselves off. But then, most late-night callers did. He stepped around the counter and approached their table.
"Pretty intense storm we're having, huh? Can I get you folks something to drink and eat?" he asked. "I'm not a pretty little waitress, but I can make a mean hamburger," he said, smiling. The three smiled back at him. That's what he liked. Happy faces.
The pretty redhead ordered a hamburger, no cheese, with pickle and mustard and mayo and a side of fries. The big blonde guy ordered two cheeseburgers with everything, onion rings, and a bowl of chili. That figured to Randy. He looked like a football player. They could pack it away. The dark-haired guy ordered a cheeseburger with tomato and pickles, and fries. All three ordered milkshakes, one chocolate, one peanut butter, and one strawberry, respectively.
Randy repeated the order back without writing anything down, and then headed back to the kitchen, leaving the girl and the guy to tease the football player about how much he ordered.
Thunder crashed in the background, and the lights flickered briefly, but remained on. He shook his head. What a storm. "Could be a long night," he commented to himself.