Chapter
10
“How did you like the movie?” Nick asked, as he and Angela walked
out of the movie theater, side by side.
“It was good,” Angela replied, squinting at the bright sunlight
that nearly blinded her once she stepped outdoors.
“Yeah,” Nick agreed. They
walked in silence to Nick’s small sports car and climbed in. “So…” Nick said, starting the car. “You want to head back to my place, or do you
want to go get a snack or something?”
“I could go for a snack, if you want one,” Angela said. “I don’t really feel like going back yet.”
“Okay,” Nick said. “I know
a good burger place, if that’s okay with you.”
“Sure, burgers are fine,” Angela replied.
“Okay, cool,” Nick replied.
“The place is pretty neat. It’s
like a fifties diner kind of place. You
know, black and white tiled floors and red and chrome tables and chairs. Complete with an old-fashioned jukebox.”
“Sounds cool,” Angela commented.
“Yup.” They drove on in
silence. Desperate for something to
break the uncomfortable quiet, Nick turned on the radio. “What kind of music do you like?” he asked.
“Oh, just about anything.
Except country,” Angela said, making a face.
Nick chuckled. “Is this
okay?” he asked, settling on his favorite alternative station.
“Sure,” Angela replied.
A few minutes later, Nick pulled into the parking light of the
small diner. He turned off the engine
of the car, climbed out, and ran around to the passenger side to open the door
for Angela.
“My, aren’t you the gentleman?” Angela asked, laughing.
Nick blushed slightly and grinned.
“Sure am, madame,” he shot back.
She just shook her head and smiled, walking beside him into the
diner.
It was only almost four thirty, too early for the dinner crowd, so
the diner was nearly empty. Nick led
Angela to a booth in the back corner, a place he was accustomed to sitting in
most restaurants to keep himself from getting recognized.
A waitress came right away to get their order. Nick nodded to Angela to give her order
first.
“I’ll have a cheeseburger and a small root beer, please,” Angela
said. The waitress scrawled it down on
her notepad and looked to Nick.
“I’ll have a double cheeseburger, large fries, and a chocolate
milkshake,” Nick said.
As the waitress walked away, Angela glanced at Nick, her eyes
wide. “Jeez,” she said, laughing.
Nick just grinned. “I can
eat anything,” he said, laughing as well.
“I bet,” Angela giggled.
As they waited for their food, Angela glanced around the
diner. It was decorated just as Nick had
described, with black and white tiles on the floor and shiny red and chrome
tables with bright red upholstered booths.
Stools with the same red upholstery sat up against the bar, near the
entrance. Elvis posters and records hung
on the walls, and a jukebox sat in one corner.
The waitress was back, carrying a large tray with their food, in
no time. She sat their plates in front
of them and left, saying, “Let me know if you need anything else,” as she
walked off.
After the popcorn they had eaten during the movie, Angela was not
very hungry, and just nibbled at her burger, while sipping her root beer.
Nick, on the other hand, really could eat anything. He scarfed his burger and drank his shake,
all the while, offering her some of his huge mound of fries.
When they had finished eating, Nick left the payment, along with a
generous tip, on the table and led Angela outside. It was now around five and the sun was
setting, dusk settling in around them.
They got into the car, and Nick drove them back to his house.
***
