C6 Breakfast at the Diner
The next day, with a dire need to get away from that house, Beth decides to spend the day in town with Anna; and, possibly dig up some information. Her first stop; the local town diner for some breakfast.
As they enter, all conversation seems to momentarily stop, and all eyes turn on to them; then, just as quickly, all activity resumes to as it was.
A waitress grabs two menus and approaches Beth. “Smoking or non-smoking?”
“Non-smoking, please,” Beth answers.
“Follow me.” While showing them to their table, she turns around to Anna. “Why; aren’t you a cutie?”
Anna smiles and replies, “Thank you, Mam.”
She chuckles, “Mam? My; aren’t we a polite little girl as well?”
As the waitress engages in small talk with Anna, Beth notices that at every table they pass, conversations abruptly cease; and, brief glances are made in their direction.
Upon reaching the table, she takes out her order pad. “Okay now, I’m Delilah, and I’ll be your waitress today. Can I get you two something to drink?”
“I’ll have a cup of coffee. What about you, Sweetie; OJ?”
“Yes, please.”
“Alrighty then; I’ll go get your drinks.” Delilah starts to walk away.
“Excuse me,” Beth gets her attention, “Delilah, is it?”
“Yes.”
“Hi, I’m Beth.” Beth continues, “Delilah, I was wondering; have you lived here in Beaver Ridge long?”
“Lived here my whole life.”
“Let me ask you something then; if you don’t mind?”
“Sure; what’s on your mind?”
“I was just curious what houses usually go for around this area? For instance, what did you pay for your house?”
“Actually,” Delilah answers, “I don’t own my own place; I rent. I really can’t tell you what homes are going for around here because I haven’t looked into buying one. Sorry I can’t be more help.”
“That’s okay;” Beth’s a little disappointed, “can’t answer a question you don’t know anything about. Thanks anyway.”
“Sure.” Delilah starts to leave, then turns around, “So, just out of curiosity; why are you asking?”
Beth’s disappointment fades away as she sees an opportunity to get some answers. “Oh, just wondering, that’s all. My husband and I bought a house just outside of town off County Route 152 on Milsbridge Road. It’s an old, four story Victorian on about half an acre of land; even has a barn on the property…do you know the place?”
Delilah starts to look a little nervous. “Yeah…I might know the place you’re talking about…But, not a hundred percent sure though if it’s the one I’m thinking of.”
“Anyway; we got it real cheap…I mean, ungodly low. We weren’t sure if home prices around here were this low all over, or if we just got a great deal…or…if maybe there was something wrong with the place.”
Beth can see she hit a nerve with Delilah, who begins to tap her pen on her order pad and avoid eye contact.
“Like I said,” Delilah starts to slowly back away from their table, “I really don’t know what they’re asking for these houses. Sorry, Beth. Um, don’t want to be rude or nothing, but, I got to check on some of my other tables now.”
“Oh sure,” Beth’s positive she’s shaken Delilah up, “go ahead. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you from you work.”
“That’s okay,” says Delilah, who’s hands are quivering just ever so slightly while fumbling with her apron pocket, trying to put her pen and order pad back in there. “I’ll be back with your drinks.”
She walks away at a quick pace.
“So, Sweetie, what do you want to eat?” Beth asks Anna.
Anna answers, “Eggs.”
Beth, still unnerved from the yolk incident the other morning, quickly responds, “Sweetie, how about some pancakes instead?”
“Okay.”
“Good.”
Delilah returns with their drinks. She places a napkin down in front of Anna and puts the glass on it. Then she places a napkin in front of Beth, but, puts the coffee cup off to the side. She takes a quick glance around, then, taps the napkin a couple of times with her finger before standing upright. She pulls her order pad out and asks…
“Are we ready to order, ladies?”
“Yes,” Beth says, glancing down at the napkin, “two orders of pancakes, please.”
“You got it.” She gives Beth a wink and leaves the table.
Beth starts to go for the napkin, but is unexpectedly interrupted. “Beth Lazinski?”
“Yes?” Beth turns around and sees a man in a uniform.
“Beth;” he asks, “may I call you Beth?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“I’m Sheriff Lloyd Faulkner. I saw you sitting here, so I stopped by to say hello and welcome you to our town.” Turns to Anna, “Hi there little lady; and what’s your name?”
“Anna.”
“Anna; now that’s a down right pretty name.”
“Thank you. It’s short for Annabeth.”
“Annabeth; now that’s a mighty fine grown up name. How old did you say you were, Ms. Annabeth?”
“Six.”
“Six? Holy tar nations! I would’ve sworn you were at least seven!”
Anna giggles, “No; I’m just six.”
“Well, if you say so. It’s been a true pleasure talking to you Ms. Annabeth; we must do this again sometime.”
“Yes, we must.” Anna giggles again.
“And how are you enjoying our little town, Beth? Feeling at home yet?”
“Well, Sheriff Faulkner…”
“Lloyd, please.”
“Well, Lloyd, before I answer that; can I ask you something?”
“Sure thing. What do you want to ask?”
“I know I’m new to the Rhode Island area; but if I’m not mistaken, I’m detecting just a hint of Texan coming out from you. Am I right?”
“Well now, I reckon you done caught me, Mam. I come from Galveston.”
“So, what brings a good ol’ boy from Galveston all the way up here to Beaver Ridge; of all places?”
“Let’s just say I needed a change of pace. Now; how about my question?”
“I’m sorry; what question?”
“About our little town…Folks making you feel comfortable yet?”
“Oh, that question; right.” Beth picks up her cup, taking a sip of coffee while glancing down, anxious to examine the napkin, “To be quite honest, Sheriff…”
The Sheriff purposely clears his throat and looks at her.
“I’m sorry…Lloyd.” He nods, giving her a look of approval, as she continues, “So far, I’m finding most of them a little stand-offish; yourself excluded, of course. Sorry.” Beth shrugs her shoulders while looking up at him.
The sheriff nods, then laughs, “That’s alright, Beth; I thought so too, when I first got here a year and a half ago. Give ‘em some time; they’ll warm up to you.”
“So; you’re new here too, Lloyd? I guess then you wouldn’t know much about the town’s history?” She glances at the napkin while taking a sip of coffee.
“Town’s history?” The sheriff laughs, “Heck, between me and you, I don’t think enough goes on here in these parts for this town to make history.”
“Oh, you might be surprised.” Another glance during another sip.
The sheriff puts his Stetson back on his head and adjusts it. “Well Beth, I hope not. When you’re in my field, you learn to deal with surprises; but you don’t really like ‘em much.”
He takes a look at his watch. “Well, suppose I’ll be moseying along now;” tipping his hat, “pleasure meeting you, Beth. I’ll have to meet up with Martin; I believe that’s your husband’s name?”
“Yes. You seem to know a lot about us, Lloyd?”
“Well, not that much, Beth; just your names. Anyhow; I suppose I’ll meet up with Martin another time. You have a good day now.”
He turns, tipping his hat to Anna. “Ms. Annabeth, once again, it truly was a pleasure to make your acquaintance. You take good care of your folks now. Good day, ladies.” The sheriff walks away, and leaves the diner.
Beth’s sipping her coffee, looking around to make sure on one’s watching her. She nonchalantly picks up the napkin, pretending to wipe her mouth. As she turns it over, Beth notices writing on it. It reads - Woodland Falls.
