THE BOLAN CHRONICLES: Reading #32

32. Approximate Minutes Reading (AMR): 7

Introduction to Characters
Felicity: Waitress at Lancer's Diner

THE BOLAN CHRONICLES

Chapter 3

A House

**Off to Lancer’s**

Donna had been patient about staying home. One cannot always have everything that one wants, she had told herself, and she had been happy and found satisfaction in being home with Dean, and with her mom and Missy as backups. But the car was a bonus, and she felt fortunate to have it, along with all of the other good fortunes that had come her way; Jake and Dean, good neighbors for the most part, a seemingly more honest relationship with her mom, and a nice house to make into a warm home.

Fuel costs had increased slightly with the addition of another car, and Donna avoided using it unless altogether necessary for occasions like grocery shopping, laundry runs, and in the few cases when Jake asked for her to bring him something to work that he had forgotten at home. Over time, however, she took the little car out more often, and it had become a part of the family—even been given a name. One morning, after they had come back from the post office for stamps, Donna had taken Dean out of the car seat and closed the door. Then she had patted the top of the car and said, “I love our new little car, Dean, don’t you?”

Little Dean babbled, “Moo-moo!”

And from that day on, the little Datsun was ‘Moo-moo.’ Eventually, Donna couldn’t take Dean outside without his pointing to the green little car, “Moo-moo! Moo-moo!” Donna loved it. She was convinced that your average baby wasn’t capable of such a feat. 

The neighbor, Missy, laughed every time she heard Dean shout the car’s new name, and she would put her hands on his chubby little cheeks and kiss him on the forehead, and Dean would suddenly get shy and lean into his mommy. But Missy knew that he loved it, because he would repeat the name again and again. 

One morning, after Jake left for work, Donna went to the kitchen to get her morning cup of coffee. It occurred to her that nothing was stopping her from taking Dean and finding a nice restaurant to have breakfast. So when he awoke, she bundled him up, and the two of them set out on a little excursion. Donna had many times passed a tiny diner called Lancer’s, and it looked to her like a cozy little place. 

They pulled into the small, crowded parking lot next to the diner. Greeted by a college age hostess, Donna sat at the only vacant booth in the back corner. The hostess commented on how cute the baby was and handed Donna a menu. 

“The breakfast special is a spectacular Denver omelet,” She said. Then she smiled and added, “I had it this morning, and it really is good!”

Donna thanked her. Her waitress, a fairly chubby but pretty thirty-something lady with long black hair and a sweet smile showed up in no time. Before Donna had a chance to say anything, the waitress chirped, “Oh my goodness! Look at this cutie-pie here!” And she leaned over and tickled Dean’s cheek. “What’s your name, little guy?”

Donna smiled and said, “Dean. His name is Dean.”

“Ah! So cute! Hi Dean!” Dean leaned into his mommy and she wrapped her arm around him.

“He’s a shy one.” Donna said apologetically.

The waitress replied, “He’s such a little cutie,” Then she pulled the pad from her oversized pocket and said, “Well, I guess I should do my job, here, right?” And she laughed. “My name is Felicity, and I’ll be your waitress this morning. Can I get you some coffee or orange juice to start off?”

“Yes, I’ll have a cup of coffee.”

“How about breakfast? Do you need more time?”

Donna glanced at the menu but quickly closed it and said, “Actually, I would just like a side of wheat toast with jam and two scrambled eggs.”

The waitress put her hands on her hips and said, “That’s how you keep that cute figure, right?”

A little confused, Donna replied, “Oh, I don’t know.”

“I used to have that kind of will power when I was in high school, but as soon as the babies arrived, that was the end of that!”

“Oh!” Donna said, “How many kids do you have?”

“I have one set of twin girls and a little boy who’s not much older than this cute little guy here!” And she leaned over and pinched Dean’s cheek. “How old?” She asked.

Donna replied, “He’s twenty-two months”

“Oh my,” She replied, “Soon to be…” And she paused dramatically, “TERRIBLE TWO!” 

Donna giggled, then she said, “Twins! That must be really tough to have two at one time.”

“Oh, it was painful!”

Donna realized what she’d said and laughed, “Oh, I’m sorry. I meant that it must be tough to raise two at one time.”

Felicity smiled, “I know what you meant, dear. I was just playing with you.” She sighed and said, “I thought it was tough until I had Matthew; that’s when I found out how tough motherhood can be!”

Donna asked, “A handful?”

“You have no idea,” She looked at Dean matter-of-factly. “If he ever sits quietly like this little guy, it’ll be a miracle!” And she laughed.

The waitress brought out several pictures of her kids and a family photo that showed a father of substantial size, one arm draped around his wife and the other holding a chubby and obviously squirming two-year-old boy. She told Donna all about her twin girls and how she had worried about every little move they had made when they were infants and about how their father was the best that a mother could ask for, always helping out, playing with the girls and reading to them every night after a hard day at work.

When she brought the food, Felicity apologized for going on about her family, and Donna assured her that she was happy to listen. “My dream has always been to raise a family with just one man.” And she told Felicity about how she and Jake had married so young due to her pregnancy but that their determination was what would keep them together forever. 

The waitress listened intently. When an older gentleman at the next table slowly raised his coffee cup and nodded at her, she told Donna that she’d better get busy before she had irate customers on her hands. “Delbert over there can be a might bit grumpy when he doesn’t get his second cup right away.”

Donna finished her breakfast and sat quietly, staring out the window at the street and the busy sidewalk, and she smiled. Felicity returned and handed the ticket to Donna. “Be sure to come back! We serve breakfast all day long, and folks in town have made Lancer’s, according to the local paper, ‘Trumbull’s Dining Haven.’” And she placed the newspaper on the table for Donna to see. “This was published just last week, and you should have seen Marie, our manager, when she came in that morning. She was so excited!”

Donna said, “Wow! That’s really great! Does she plan on framing this? It might be really good to put it on the wall, maybe where people coming in can see it right off the bat.”

“Oh, my gosh! That’s a great idea!” Then Felicity said, “Would you mind waiting for just a second? I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

Felicity emerged from the kitchen, this time with a middle-aged dirty-blonde. She introduced her as Marie, the manager of the restaurant. Then she told Marie about Donna’s picture-framing idea. Marie was impressed and thanked Donna for the idea, assuring her that she would follow through with the great suggestion. She then insisted that the meal was on the house. Donna offered to pay, but Marie insisted again, re-thanked her, and returned to the kitchen.

Felicity told Donna to keep the paper; that they had scores of them in the back. Then she said, “Well, the next time you come in, we’re likely going to have that article proudly displayed on our wall, and all thanks to you, Miss!” 

Donna smiled and said, “Please…call me Donna.”

“Ah! My sister’s name! I’ll definitely remember!” She reached over and pinched little Dean’s cheek one more time. “I’ll see you real soon, little cutie!” And Dean shied again and leaned his head against his mommy’s shoulder. 

Donna enjoyed her experience at Lancers. A weekly visit crossed her mind, but on second thought, she decided that monthly was more reasonable. She smiled at the prospect, and as she drove through town, she was overcome with a happy, warm family feeling. She wiped a tear from her eye. Life was ideal.