Truckstop Cheerleader
Nathaniel and Kari, which he had figured out from her name on her boarding ticket, sat together as planned. She’d offered him to watch out while he slept, but he’d refused, insisting she take it instead. She had a kind smile as she thanked him, it reminded him of his mother. She’d always give that smile when someone did something nice for her, she always looked too bashful to accept. He nodded, before turning back to the windows ahead.
After Kami woke, they spent the next few hours making idle conversation. Kami even helped him learn some conversational Spanish, under the story he would be taking a holiday to Mexico during the summer. As the driver pulled into the Raleigh station she thanked him for his kindness and made him promise to be safe. It seemed she was reluctant to leave him alone when the bus driver called out one last time. He assured her once more and with a wave, and a small one from Gabriel whose head was tucked into her neck, Nathaniel was alone again.
The rest of the trip was uneventful, he’d dozed off for a few minutes but was jostled awake on the exit ramp. Nathaniel was starving as they pulled into Columbia. The sun was rising, casting an orange hue over the tree line. With little luggage, he was one of the first to slip off. He easily got directions from one of the attendants to a truck stop with a diner a mile or so away. He didn't want to waste money on a cab for such a short distance, so he took the coolness of the morning as an excuse to walk it.
He hadn’t expected much but it was smaller than he’d imagined, only five booths lining the windows and a long bar with a few stools at the counter. The bell dinged as he entered, which sent him instinctively tucking his duffle higher on his shoulder as he entered unfamiliar territory. “Hey there.” A girl about his age said in a chipper voice. Her red curly hair, tucked into a messy ponytail, swayed as she turned from taking a booth’s order. “Sit wherever you’d like, I’ll be with you in a moment.” He nodded as she turned back and settled into one of the counter stools, a comfortable distance from the other patron.
“You’re new.” The waitress said with a bright smile. Her yellow uniformed skirt and blouse, paired with her high pony and upbeat cheeriness made her look like the cheerleader for bad coffee and cheap eggs. “Passing through.” Neil said in return. Katelyn, her name tag read in faded lettering, smiled. She grabbed the coffee pot and a menu as she flipped a coffee cup from below the counter, setting it in front of Nathaniel all in an act of mindless muscle memory.
“What can I get you…” she trailed off expectantly. He realized she wanted his name. “Neil.” It was the first thing he could think of and he scolded himself internally. “Coffee is good. And..” he said looking at the sparse paper menu. He trailed over the names, “Monstrosity” seemed to be the most elaborate, full of enough sugar to be lethal, but he settled for the ‘start of the DAY.’ It was healthier and much less complicated. “Coming right up.” She said, taking the menu with a smile.
He scanned the restaurant in practiced nonchalance, there were only a few seats filled. One with a solo trucker, another with a small family, and at the end of the bar a middle aged man sipping coffee and reading his newspaper. He seemed to be a regular, due to Katelyn's habit of making idle comments as she topped off his coffee.
She seemed to be rolling silverware under the counter in front of him. “Aaron got too good for us and now I’m stuck trying to rangle these bastards short handed.” Nathaniel caught the man say, the tribal tattoo on his forearm flexing as he lifted his coffee. Kaitlyn seemed fond of his complaints, as she sat the meal in front of Nathaniel with a small pause in case he had other requests until he nodded and she was back to “David” she’d called him. “I’m off Saturday, sure I can stop by and help.” David waved her off, returning to his newspaper but continuing the conversation. “No, you two got you. I’m just an old man bitchin. I’ll find someone.” She gave him a dimmer smile than usual as she took the bucket of silverware to join its normal pile.
“How you doing over here sweetie.” She said to Neil as she brushed off her apron. Neil just nodded, and she returned to her bright smile as she topped off his coffee and continued to the rest of her tables. Without her behind the counter, Nathaniel could glance over the decor on the walls. It seemed to be a collage. Newspaper clippings, people with awards or photos of them jumping horses and riding bulls. Neil froze slightly as he recognized a name. He hadn’t seen those eyes in almost a decade. Large in the middle is an autographed photo of Kevin Day, holding his first place medal with a wild and proud smile.
“So, stranger. What brings you through?” He realized too late, Katelyn had returned behind the counter. He closed his mouth, turning to her. He must’ve paused too long looking for a lie because she’d stopped what she was doing to look at him. “Passing through.” He repeated. She nodded. “You said that.” She said curiously. Neil realized the man had left a few bills on the counter in his absence, so he’d now overtaken her attention. “You ride?” She asked, referencing the wall behind her.
Neil shook his head. She raised a brow. “Ever worked with em?” She asked. Neil paused, but nodded. She furrowed her brows, glancing towards the door and then to the register. She printed his receipt, scribbling something on it before setting it next to his coffee. The water ring absorbed slightly, melting the writing. David Wymack 1455 fox hole rd. He furrowed his brow, looking back up at her. “You need work?” She asked. He nodded hesitantly. “Tell him Kate sent you. It's room and board, plus some pocket money. Hard work but it’s something.” He nodded as he took out enough for the bill and tip from his wallet. “Thank you.” He managed and accepted her kind smile.