True looked out the diner’s window as Clay drove the truck past the now unchained posts and disappeared down the road.
She hadn’t left any of her belongings in it. Her backpack was in the office where she stored it while working. Biting her lip she wondered if he would return it tonight. If not…well she would just have to figure something else out.
When Tiffany came in and Sue left, work became much easier. True couldn’t say that she disliked the older woman, but she could tell that Sue wasn’t just nosey but a person that liked drama and being the instigator of it. People talked about her more when Sue was around and she knew that it was because Sue kept it going.
True asked if it was okay for her to work a double and Tiffany was happy to tell her yes. The Sunday dinner shift wasn’t as bad as dinner during the week and much better than Saturday night. Plus the tips were better with folks being more Godly today. A few guys even tried to flirt. She smiled and remained friendly but made it clear that she was not interested. She knew what a lot of these men thought--that they would take her for a quick tumble and then run off and brag about it. One older man even had the nerve to wait until his wife went to the bathroom before he asked her if he could get her phone number. She shook her head no but softened it by saying that she didn’t have a phone. She ended up getting a huge tip.
True discreetly kept checking to see if the truck had returned. But by the end of her shift it still had not. Clay probably didn’t know how to tell her that he’d changed his mind. It wouldn’t be the first time that someone had made her a promise and then bailed on her.
She lingered at the counter, working up her will to face the cold night. It looked like she would be dishing out sixty-nine bucks to pay for a room, which would be a waste if she was going to get a better deal by paying by the week. She mentally calculated if she had enough tips, regretting the small purchases she had made earlier.
Tiffany sat down next to her with a glass of ice. She produced a flask and poured herself a hefty splash of liquor. She offered it to True who shrugged and pushed her glass of Coca Cola towards Tiffany who poured her a generous amount.
“This is a dry county but we mountain folk got our ways around that.” Tiffany said while winking at True.
True took a sip and shivered.
Tiffany chuckled. “That’s moon shine, Sugah. Best stuff around.”
“I’ve never had moonshine before.” True took another sip and than another.
“Well you don’t want to over do it your first time. It can hit you hard.” Tiffany glanced down at True’s backpack. “So how’s it going? You getting settled in?”
True nodded while fiddling with her drink. “I’m getting along just fine. Most people are nice.”
“Yeah, sorry about that situation Saturday. We aren’t all like Sully. Most just need to get used to new situations. In other words, they would have acted basically the same way no mater what color you are. Around here any new person is looked at with suspicion.”
True offered Tiffany a smile of appreciation. “Thanks for giving me a chance.”
“Well if you need anything let me know,” Tiffany said.
True turned to her suddenly. “That guy Clay, he comes in every day, watches soap operas. What’s his story? Is he as mean as he looks?”
Tiffany smiled. “That old grouch. I’ve known him all my life. He’s really a sweetheart. He’s just getting over a divorce is all.”
“So he’s not like those people that were saying all that stuff Saturday?”
“No. Why? Did he say something to you?”
“No.” She said quickly. “He gives good tips.” In fact he gave the best tips of any of her customers.
Tiffany nodded and took a swallow of her liquor, not seeming bothered that she was just drinking straight moonshine on the rocks. “That’s Clay. He don’t like people knowing about his soft under belly.”
True mulled over her words and then so as not to raise suspicion she began to ask about other customers and finally about Sue.
“I don’t think she likes me.” True was feeling mellow and her tongue was slightly loose. Jeb had joined them and he was smoking a cigar and had produced a home brew from somewhere. The last customer had already left and True had never been more comfortable in the restaurant than just sitting here with Tiffany and Jeb.
“I can guarantee you that Sue wouldn’t have a job if she wasn’t Lisette’s cousin.” Jeb said while propping an elbow on the counter.
“Lisette?” True said.
“The owner,” Tiffany supplied. “Yeah, Sue’s a mess but what can you do.”
“Well ladies,” Jeb said while standing. “It’s time for me to put it to bed. True, you need a ride to the motel?”
True suddenly stiffened. “Nah, I actually like the walk and it’ll sober me.”
“You sure?” He asked while pulling on a coat and then a knit skullcap.
“Yep.” True gathered her and Tiffany’s glasses and quickly washed them and then the three walked out the door.
Tiffany frowned. “It’s cold out here. True let me drive you to the motel.”
True’s step faltered. The truck was parked out back! She gave Tiffany a bright smile and then began jogging down the road in the direction of the motel.
“No, I’m good!” She called and waved over her shoulder. As soon as she was clear of the road she ducked into the woods and came out behind the diner. She hoped Clay remembered to leave the door opened, but she didn’t have to worry about that, Clay was sitting in the truck waiting for her.
He moved to the passenger seat to give her room to get in. “I’m sorry,” he said immediately. “Bodie found some problems and it took him forever to get it worked out.”
True was just smiling. “I thought you had changed your mind-”
“No no,” he said quickly. “I figured you’d think that. I tried to get here as quick as I could and then I saw you inside with Jeb and Tiffany…so I waited.”
She cocked her head. “You waited?”
“Yeah,” He nodded staring at her. When she smiled like that she looked alive and happy. How can she be happy when she was basically homeless?
“I appreciate that.” She said.
Clay looked around. “Do you have everything you need? Did you stay warm last night?”
She nodded vigorously. “It’s very comfortable. Better than a lot of places I’ve slept.”
He frowned and True realized that her words had upset him. “This is better than some hotels,” she clarified.
“Oh, well that’s true. I’ve stayed in a few flea bag motels myself.” He looked around again. “Well I’ll let you get some rest. Lock the door when you’re in here. I don’t think anyone knows you’re here but it’s safer to keep yourself locked in.”
True nodded. She had already made sure to do that but didn’t bother to tell him.
Finally he opened the door.
“See you tomorrow, Clay.”
“Yep,” he replied and closed the door. He walked down the road and she watched, feeling bad that he was walking home at this time of night.
Clay reached his house before he knew it. His mind was on the girl. He didn’t like knowing that she was sleeping in a truck. It didn’t seem right. When he climbed into his warm bed that night he had a hard time getting to sleep.