Debbie Stanton, Author
writing from the heart, to the heart
Go to Debb's page to see next week's prompt and please feel free to join in.
http://debbiestanton.com/category/debbiestanton-com/debbie-stanton/writing/stories/
*laser* *neglect*
*he* *truck* *situation* *conventional* *spread*
A
HARD DAY’S WORK
‘Hello,
Darling,’ the wink that went with the phrase was cringe-worthy.
The
gravelly voice, trying to be sexy didn’t fit the 50+ something, grey-bearded,
weather beaten face that beamed up at her with his yellow stained teeth – well
what was left of them. He was so smarmy that Elsie couldn’t stop the
snarl that crept up her lips, thank goodness it was hidden by her face mask due
to Covid.
She
hated the situation she found herself in these days but there was rent
to pay, bills to pay and food to put on the table for herself and the kids and
her husband who was desperately seeking work which was hard to come by these
days. So many people had been thrown out
of work as businesses collapsed during the pandemic. Roger was looking and applying for anything
and everything.
The
Truck Stop Café, formerly known as the Blue and White café had been
going for many years before it fell into disrepair and neglect. After a few years new owners came along and
revamped the entire building, increasing the seating area inside and making an
outdoor space. Situated on a busy A Road
leading to various tourist sites, including a wildlife and safari park which
was spread over 600 acres of beautiful countryside.
Elsie
took the lorry driver’s order, typical for his ilk, full English breakfast,
heart disease imminent but who was she to tell him he should enjoy a healthier
eating style. The menu was so conventional
for working in what she referred to in her mind as a ‘greasy spoon café.’
Elsie
brought the food to his table, receiving thanks and a long, lingering look at
her ‘attributes’. She should be used to
the leers of the truckers but she always fought against the idea of being a
sexual object. She needed the money and
on the whole they were only being ‘friendly’.
Elsie
made sure that at the end of shift she would walk out to her car with either
Betty, a lovely, mother hen type waitress or with Ben, the shy cook. She would never admit that her heart would
beat nineteen-to-the dozen if she had to get to her car alone.
She’d
buy Betty and Ben something really nice at Christmas, just to show her
appreciation of her colleagues.
As
she entered their modest house, she heard laughter coming from the sitting
room. As she peeked in, she saw Roger,
Nathan and Amy, in hoots of giggles as they played with their young kitten,
pointing the laser beam from the spirit level. Round and round Billy twirled, then as with
all kittens and cats, he stopped and casually licked himself. He must be dizzy by now.
It
made all her hard work, the long shifts, the sleazy gents she had to put up
with, the smell of frying oil in her hair, the throbbing feet and tiredness all
worth while to know her family was happy.
They might not have much in the way of material things, the sofa sagged
in one corner, the carpet was getting rather well worn in places but the love
that emanated from her family was so worthwhile, it kept her going.
She
wouldn’t change a thing. Well maybe a
better job and Roger working but that would be for another day when things
returned to a new normal once the pandemic was under control.
Word
count: 585
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