Greg
the counter man kept busy wiping the counter, rearranging the salt and pepper,
the catsup bottle, and the sugar and cream containers. The boss wanted the
counter men, especially those who worked at night, to be occupied. He said if
passersby saw the counter man cleaning or serving, they would be more likely to
stop in and order something to eat.
He
was grateful for the work tonight. It helped him keep his mind off Peggy. Greg
and Peg – they had been an item all through high school. Now he was in college,
studying during the day and working five nights a week. He had been saving
money for an engagement ring. This evening she had broken up with him. She
didn’t want to wait four years or more before they could think of marriage. For
now his only income was from a night time job in a diner. She wanted a man with
better current prospects.
Mr.
Anderson came in and sat on a stool. He came every night for a cup of coffee
and a slice of pie. Greg knew from their bits of conversation each night that
Mr. Anderson’s wife had been slowing dying of cancer. From the time he came
home from work until time to go to work the next day he cared for his
suffering, tormented wife. While he was at work there were aides to take care
of her. Every evening, before going to bed, he allowed himself a break long
enough to eat pie and drink coffee at the diner. Last month she had died and
Mr. Anderson was still mourning her. He still came in every evening for his
coffee and pie.
At
one end of the counter was Mr. Darnell and a woman of about thirty. Always
before this, Mr. Darnell came in for his supper about seven each evening. Greg
knew Mr. Darnell was a bachelor who had lived with his mother until she died
last year. Greg was only guessing, but
probably Mr. Darnell had invited this woman on a dinner date. They were
interested in each other. They hadn’t stopped talking since they sat down. He
surmised they hadn’t wanted to end the evening just yet and the diner was a
“safe” place to continue their new friendship.
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