Beach Rental(6)

She smoothed her blue work apron and straightened her name tag with its big white letters. “It’s Juli, remember? I’m on the clock. I can’t leave my register.”

A female customer walked by with a sulky, pointed look at the empty-handed man who was obviously not checking out and stopped to glare before moving on to the next cashier. Any minute now the manager would be striding across the polished tiles to ask if there was a problem. Juli couldn’t afford to lose this job. The odd jobs she took came and went, but this one was her anchor.

“How about lunch? My treat.”

“Are you a stalker? How did you find me?” She half-smiled, not sure whether she should laugh or prepare to defend herself. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her hair was always slipping out of its pony tail no matter what type of fastener she used or how tightly she secured it.

“You mentioned working at Singer’s Market the other night.”

“I talk too much.” From the corner of her eye, she saw Al Smith approaching.

“Is there a problem?” Smith tried to sound stern, but with caution.

Juli knew Smith didn’t want to risk offending someone who might only be asking where the cheese crackers were stocked. Her reply was brusque. “No problem here, Mr. Smith.”

She turned away, gesturing to an approaching customer as she spoke, “My lunch is at noon. I’ll be at Cox’s, a few blocks over.”

Presumably he’d be there, but would she show up? When they’d met at the party he’d been a nice guy whose path she’d crossed on a dark night, a guy who needed a favor and would never be seen again. He seemed different from the other guys who wasted their time coming on to her, but what did he want?

When noon hit, she folded and stowed the apron in her locker on top of her book. No reading over lunch today.

Cox’s Family Restaurant was a favorite of the locals. In Juli’s opinion, they had the best, to-die-for, grilled cheese sandwiches and today the almost-stranger sitting across from her was willing to pick up the tab. Never turn down a free meal, right? She'd learned that from her third foster family.

They each took a menu from the holder and pretended to read it. Or maybe Ben wasn’t pretending, but she was. Uneasiness was there at the table with them from the first moment.

This was foolish. This wasn’t worth the price of the sandwich and it wasn’t too late to leave. She reached down to the purse on the seat beside her and grabbed the shoulder strap. No, not too late at all.

He asked, “Are you from Morehead City?”

“No. Listen, I—”

“North Carolina?”

“Yes, but—”

“Hi, Juli. Ready to order?” Brenda stood by the table in her jeans and t-shirt, holding her order pad and pen. She gave Ben an appraising grin before turning back to Juli. And winked.

Brenda winked.

Juli twisted the edge of the menu, anxious, but Brenda didn’t tease her further. She just wrote down their orders and left.

Ben said, “I’ve eaten here many times over the years and I guess you have, too, since she knows you by name.”

“Food’s good, it’s convenient, and I can afford it.” It annoyed her that he seemed so pleased they’d both eaten here before. Them and how many thousands of others? A family with two kids was seated nearby, a quartet of retirees, two Marine Patrol officers in their gray uniforms—an endless variety. She and her lunch companion weren’t special.

Juli watched him struggle to find a conversation starter as she considered whether to stay.

Ben cleared his throat. “I was born and raised in the area, mostly in Beaufort. Do you have family around here?”

They were in a public place in the middle of the day and here was Brenda, already heading in their direction, carrying plates. Juli released her grip on the purse strap.

“Good, convenient, and quick, too.” Ben smiled at Brenda. “Thanks.”

“Enjoy. Yell if you need anything.” She put the check on the table and moved on.

Juli opened the paper napkin and spread it across her lap. As she picked up her sandwich Ben said, “Excuse me.” He bowed his head and spoke words that took her back to being six years old. “Father, we thank Thee….”

She missed the end of the blessing and, instead, was tossed backward in time to a long-forgotten moment. His “Amen” returned her to the present with a breathless rush. She took a quick look around the room, but the other diners seemed not to have noticed.

Ben asked again, “Do you have any family around here?”

She took a long drink of ice water and set the glass down carefully. “We’re not past the weather stage.”