2. Penelope
2
Penelope
Seven Years Later
As I catch the flicker of headlights from the corner of my eye, I leap to my feet. My heart flutters in my chest as a silent wave of desperation threatens to come crashing down.
“This one is all mine!” Calling out the claim before any other bored worker tries to take advantage, I’m on the move before anyone can even blink.
As I step out of the small building that reeks of burger grease and peanut oil, a wave of fresh, crisp air washes over me, causing goosebumps to rise along my arms and legs.
I don’t have time to stop and fill my lungs with a heavy inhale. Not when I’m paid to jog out toward the newest arrival.
A Jeep with two adults in the front and two kids in the back. One glance toward the back, and I can see a huge stuffed teddy tucked between two identical faces. Twins. Now that’s adorable.
A smile transforms on my lips, one big enough to make my jaw ache. To ensure a good tip, my voice lifts an octave higher.
“Welcome to Tee’s Drive-In! Have you been here before?”
I have to ask the same question every single time. Most of the time, people are simply passing through Hope Peak. This little place, crammed with tourists grabbing quick bites and checking maps, serves only as a brief respite before they reach their destination.
To those who aren’t familiar with the way we run things around here, I quickly go over the script each employee has memorized down to the last period. Attached to my hip is a small pocket of menus. With this car, in particular, they need some, as this is their first visit.
“Flip your headlights off while you decide and turn them back on when you’re ready to order. I’ll be back out before you can blink,” I explain as I stick a ticket beneath their wiper. Sending them away with a wink and a grin, I spin on my heel, and my expression drops.
Now that they have been taken care of, I have to run back to keep up the act. The way my clothes stick to my skin despite this cool weather, it doesn’t take much movement to tucker me out.
Many people think the business shouldn’t be running during the winter months, and I wholeheartedly agree. Unfortunately, the owners aren’t the ones gliding across the ice out here. A bruised hip is worth making a few extra dollars to pay for their vacation home down south.
Seeing as this is my third winter working here, I’ve yet to be scared off by the winter conditions. Like the years prior, I’ll focus on getting through one day at a time.
At least the pastel-colored coats they provide are comfy and cute.
Once I’m back inside, I stare at that Jeep and wait for what feels like an eternity before its lights flash back on.
My life is one of constant motion; I’m always busy, always running. Unfortunately, with these slow days, there’s only so much I can do to help pass the time. From taking every order I can, to making myself look useful even when there isn’t a car in sight, I can’t afford to lose my mind to boredom and leave. I need this job.
“You want this next one?” Angela asks as she tilts her chin up at the sight of a rustic-looking truck. “They are talking about sending me home early. Might as well give you my share before they give me the boot.”
I follow her gaze to avoid seeing the way her face scrunches up at the topic of losing hours. We are all fighting to survive here. As terrible as it is, I believe I overheard some cooks talking about taking on part-time jobs until the warmer weather comes back.
During the summer, there’s usually at least five of them scheduled back there, working together to keep everyone happy. Now, the best we get is one or two to shoulder all the weight. The lack of labor and the overworking of scheduled employees make this a bad time across the board.
If I didn’t love this job as much as I do, I’d probably search for something more solid as well. Something with insurance, too. However, this little joint is all I really have. The same goes for all the employees here. We all feel like one small family in an odd sense, with nothing to cling to but each other.
“I appreciate it.” Thanking her while on the move, I make my way back outside. A biting gust of cold wind cuts through my coat, and I jog a little faster to keep my body warm. Fighting against the weather, we’re only a few degrees away from risking snow from falling from the sky.
“Welcome to Tee’s Drive-In! Have you been here before?” Saying the same line again, I notice this guy do a double-take before I realize there’s something familiar about him.
For a moment, his name rests on the tip of my tongue, and it’s an outright shame that I don’t recognize him immediately.
Asher Thompson. The guy who was all silly smiles and super casual about everything in life. He was a bit of a flirt to those he considered pretty and never was the type to settle down, if I remember right.
He was a close friend and someone important in my life. Of course, that was before he suddenly disappeared, what, five years ago?
At first, I almost didn’t recognize him. The beard is new, and so is the frown on his lips. There is no denying the color of his eyes, reminiscent of liquid honey. They are truly one of a kind, and I used to compliment him on them all the time.
Right now, there is a layer of shock on his face. I get it. I didn’t think I’d see this guy again, either.
A part of me, deep down, truly believed he was dead. That’s what happens when you just leave everything behind without telling anyone. No texts or calls, no nothing.
He’s not dead at all. He’s in a truck that looks like it’s gone through hell and back. Fingers covered in dark grime, I can only assume he was doing something car-related before getting a craving for something greasy.
One thing hasn’t changed. He’s still as handsome as ever. If he wanted to pull any woman in this town, I’m sure he wouldn’t have an issue. Married or not, they’d swoon for him. Is he still the lady-killer I remember him to be?
“Um, hey there.” Why do I sound shy? Even my fingers tremble as I give a quick wave. It’s Asher . The guy who used to tease me about every little thing. “When did you get back to town?”
Hope Peak is small. I’d notice him sooner if it’s been a while. Everyone knows everyone, that’s just how it is. 1
Going off script, the tension in my shoulders melts away as I relax. As much as I can without shivering, thanks to another gracious gust of wind. It’s definitely going to snow.
“A few weeks now.” His voice sounds deeper, calmer. Like the years have aged him more than the few that had passed. His thumbs rub along his steering wheel, giving small little tap tap taps. ”On my break. Starving.”
Realizing what he’s implying, I curse under my breath and fumble to get a menu out. My skin feels oddly warm as I hear a chuckle rumble out of him. Apparently, I missed his laugh. My heart reminds me, fluttering in my chest.
“I can give you a few minutes and–”
“Get me something you recommend. I’m sure you know what’s best. Though I’ll have to take it to go.” There’s a small twitch to his mouth, and beneath that thick beard, I can almost see the man who used to whisper jokes under his breath to make me snort like a piglet.
Oh, how I missed those days. They were good ones. Back then, it was all good memories. Back when everything ran smoothly, and I didn’t have to worry about anything going wrong.
Having been told the same thing by many customers before, I don’t let his compliment get to me. Even though I feel a small tingle in my stomach, I write it off as nothing but excitement at seeing an old friend.
Scribbling down something I’d want to eat, I leave the menu with him for his next visit. I’m sure once he gets a taste of the food, he’ll become a regular. Almost forgetting to tuck a ticket beneath his wiper, I rush off before I find myself slipping in other ways.
Once I hand off the order inside, I busy myself with the other two cars outside that had my tickets as well. The Jeep’s food is ready, and it takes two trays to carry everything. Balancing both while keeping my weight steady on any patches of black ice, I all but glide over to them without falling on my ass.
I won’t look at Asher. Even if I have questions filling my mind as I wish to learn why he left with a little of a goodbye, I keep my eye on the prize.
Tips. Tips. Tips.
Tight smiles and sweet words. Fluttering lashes, and giggling at unfunny jokes.
Otherwise, how in the world will I pay my rent on time?
Offering the driver a few extra napkins for the little ones in the back, I try not to let my eyes linger for too long on their bright smiles as their mother passes them milkshakes that are twice the size of their little heads.
There is nothing worse than catching baby fever when kids are pretty much impossible where I am.
“Let me know if you guys need anything else by flashing those headlights. Enjoy your meal and I’ll be back for the trash.” Leaving them with another jaw-aching grin, I head over to the other car, taking their payment before sending them off with an appreciative wave and a plea for their return.
Five bucks is five bucks.
When I pocket the money and slip back inside, Asher’s meal is bagged and ready to go. Taking it out to him, my smile feels more natural. Less of an act.
He pays me in cash and tells me to keep the rest. The corners of his eyes wrinkle, showing off his age. He had a good few years on me. Must be hitting his early forties.
“Give Danny my regards.” The bag crinkles in his grip as he turns his attention away to tuck it next to him.
Just like that, four words are all it takes to kill this flutter and leave a bad taste in my mouth. Every time I hear my ex-husband’s name, it’s always the same reaction. Never pleasant.
“Ah.” My smile grows tight, and I shift from one foot to the other. “I guess you haven’t talked to him in a while, either.”
Two years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to laugh about the whole thing. Now, I can chuckle without feeling a throb in my chest. Though, right now, there’s a dread at breaking the news to a man he considered a close friend as well.
“Danny left town a while ago,” I explain as I nudge a slippery patch of ice below with my boot. “Right after our divorce finalized.”
Asher glances back at me, his brow furrowing in an unsettling way that makes his earlier frown seem almost mild by comparison. The deepening line between his eyebrows and the tightness of his lips creates an expression that is far more intense.
He looks pissed.
I take a step back, and my next laugh feels forced. “Don’t worry, we were both to be blamed. He met someone else, and I…” I let him , multiple times. “… grew unhappy. But, uh, I’ll let you go. I’ve held you for too long, and my legs are kind of numb. It was good seeing you, Asher.”
His lips part, and it feels like he wants to stop me.
A part of me wants him to. All in the name of catching up and feeling the comfort he used to bring when I was at my happiest.
Instead, Asher nods and turns on his truck. It sounds like it’s fighting for its last breath as it rumbles to life.
I don’t linger long enough to wave goodbye. No, I’m too busy rushing back toward the small diner.
Not because I’m afraid of the manager in charge giving me an earful for taking too long, but because the way my heart is beating is kind of scary.
I won’t think too deeply about it. All for the sake of not opening up old wounds.