Rob's Diner
Louis Armstrong was singing from somewhere inside the jukebox in his sandpaper against sandpaper voice. The scent of grease, coffee, and smoke embraced me as I stepped through the door.
I made my way across the floor to the counter, sat down on a stool and removed my hat. From out of the kitchen, came a stout little man whose face needed a shave five days ago.
"Casey! Good to see you! What'll you have?"
"Hi Rob, steak and eggs, and how strong's the coffee?"
"Depends on what you call strong.", he said with a smirk.
"Gimme a cup then, will ya?"
Rob disappeared back into the kitchen to start the food. From my pocket I retrieved a pack of Lucky's just as Rob returned with a fresh pot of coffee.
"Want one?" I asked.
Rob took the pack and removed a cigarette. "Didn't have a date tonight, Case?", he asked from behind a cloud of white smoke. "Yeah, I did as a matter of fact. A real gorgeous dame, too. Took her to The Cabana for dinner.", I said dryly. Rob found his coffee hard to swallow, his eyes widened. "The Cabana? High class, Case, high class!", he said in excited astonishment, "So how was it?"
I drank some coffee. "Food was good, liquor was watered down." I swallowed some more coffee. "Lousy date, though, she had the personality of a brick."
"Sorry to hear that Casey. So where'd you meet Miss Excitement anyway?"
"At the newsstand the other day, right after I got off the train."
Rob nodded his head, set his cup down on the counter, and went to get my food. Louis had stopped singing and the humming of the ceiling fans as they cut the air filled the diner. I looked at my watch- Twelve O'clock. I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to shake the disappointment of the night off.
Rob returned carrying a large plate smothered with an enormous steak and three eggs. I stubbed out my cigarette, and opened a bottle of ketchup.
How's Chicago do, you know?", I asked, covering my food in ketchup.
"Lost seven to zero. Want some coffee?"
Sure, couldn't hurt."
While Rob poured the coffee, I went over to the jukebox and ordered up some Count Basie. The machine slowly awakened for its nap, spewing forth the mellow sounds of "Idaho". As I sat back on my stool at the counter, a breeze blew through the small diner as a slim-figured red head walked through the door and sat down next to me.
"Hi boys!", she said with a broad smile, "No dates tonight?"
"Hi Jeri, Casey did, but it wasn't a good one."
"How's everything?", I asked, sipping some coffee.
"Just fine. Rob, some coffee?"
"Sure thing, doll."
"Sorry about your date Casey.", she said, squeezing my arm.
"Oh, I'll live, I suppose." I grinned at her.
Rob set a full cup of coffee down in front of her.
Next to Rob, Jericho Peters was my oldest friend. We'd gone out two or three times, but nothing ever came out of it. We were still very close, though. Whenever one had a problem, the other came running. No commitments, that worked out for the both of us best.
I finished my eggs and steak and slid the plate across the counter towards Rob. "There you go, you can have it back now."
"Why thank you so much!", he replied sarcastically.
"I thought there was a reporter tonight?", I asked Jeri while I wiped off my face.
"Was supposed to be, but he stood me up."
"Sorry I asked. I feel bad now."
"Don't, it's probably how he gets his kicks. Besides, it's not your fault, you didn't know." I felt her leg rub against mine while she reached over and took the pack of cigarettes off the counter. "What does a lady have to do to get a light in this joint?", she asked playfully.
I held a lit match against the end of her cigarette. "Ask and you shall receive."
We sat for an hour, talking about when we were kids, watching Rob wash dishes and place them under the counter. I finished my last cup of coffee, placed a five on the counter and got up to leave.
"Does that cover it?", I asked, putting on my hat.
"Should do it. See you later, Casey."
"Yeah, bye Rob. Jeri, I guess I'll see you later, too."
She threw some money on the counter and got up. "Walk me home, Case?", she asked, grabbing my hand.
"Sure, I think I can manage that."
We left Rob's and headed down the street towards Jeri's flat. Everywhere around us, the neon clicked off, and the last stragglers wandered out into the night. Occasionally, a stray taxi would drive by, taking its last customer of the day home.
Jericho wrapped her arm around mine as we walked past block after block of empty blackened buildings. I walked Jeri up the steps to her building. She stood fishing her keys out of her purse. "Well, I guess I'd better be going now." I said as I turned and started down the steps. I felt an arm grab me.
"Want to come up for a nightcap?", she asked. Smiling, she squeezed my arm a bit.
She unlocked the door. "Sure, why not?", I replied, following her through the door frame.
~End~
