Copyright © 2020 James Russell Stoakes
All rights reserved.
http://JamesStoakes.com
“Mondays are a pain,” Sarah thought as she made some notes. She had to rush to work as quickly as possible on Monday, and it was her longest shift of the week. She was using a study period in the cafeteria to get some homework done since she would be working until closing tonight, and would not have time for homework later.
Laughter from several tables away interrupted her thoughts, and she looked up in time to see Mary scowling at her from across the room. Mary’s scowl turned to a look of disbelief as Robbie sat down across from Sarah.
“Hey, Sarah,” Robbie said with a hint of apprehension in his voice.
“Hi,” Sarah said, confused and wondering why he was there. She waited for him to continue.
“I hear you are working at the grocery store now,” he said. He waved his hand at the books Sarah had spread out on the table, “Working late tonight?” he guessed.
“I am,” she said, and whimsically added, “Are you stalking me, Robbie?”
He laughed at her joke, “No, not yet,” he said, eliciting a smile from Sarah. “I was wondering, though,” he added with a long pause as he found his confidence, “Has anyone asked you to the winter dance yet?”
“Not yet,” Sarah said, tamping down her own excitement, and trying to act normal. She could see Mary was having a cow, and all the other girls were turning around to watch what was happening.
A look of relief came over Robbie’s face and then brief panic as he got his emotions under control. He cleared his throat quickly, “Would you be willing to go with me?” he asked.
It was Sarah’s turn to get her emotions under control. She let a slow grin cross her face and smiled at him. “I would love to go to the dance with you, Robbie,” Sarah answered, not realizing how silent the cafeteria had become.
Smiling, Robbie stood and looked around the room. He suddenly recognized that everyone in the room was watching and listening. “The show is over, everyone,” he said, shaking his head. “In case you didn’t hear, she said yes.” He looked to Sarah and smiled even wider. “You said yes?” he asked as if he did not believe it himself.
Nodding her head, Sarah confirmed that he had heard correctly, and he sauntered off towards the gym. Sarah watched him leave. She was acutely aware of all the other girls staring at her as she tried to get back to her studying.
The dinner rush was just ending when one of the waitresses sought Kevin out. “There is an officer upfront that wants to speak with you,” she said and quickly ran off.
“An officer?” Kevin asked, but she was gone. “Damn it!” Kevin exclaimed. “It better not be another surprise inspection.” He exited his office and quickly made his way to the front of the restaurant. He could see the officer, a mountain of a man, and his uniform before he got close. This was the local Sheriff.
“How can I help you, Sheriff, uh, Winston?” Kevin asked, suddenly remembering his name.
The Sheriff smiled, “Are you Kevin White?” he asked in a deep, calm voice.
“I am,” Kevin acknowledged, and the Sheriff handed a large envelope to him.
“What’s this?” Kevin asked as he worked the string that held the envelope closed.
“It’s a summons,” the Sheriff responded without emotion, “and a restraining order.”
“Restraining order? From who?” he asked as he finally got the envelope open and quickly read the first few lines. “Seriously?” he asked in exasperation.
“If you have any questions, there is a number you can call included in the packet,” Sheriff Winston said.
Kevin turned and walked away without a word. The seater looked at the Sheriff and shrugged as if to say sorry.
December first. The big day had arrived, and Sarah was very anxious. By the time Sarah made her way to Oak Grove, she felt like she might explode. On top of this being the day that guests would be arriving, she had so much to share with Alice. As Sarah parked her mother’s car, she could see Alice at the stove. A large pickup truck and a long enclosed trailer were parked in the opening they had plowed out a few days earlier.
“That’s a pretty big truck!” Sarah said as she entered the kitchen.
“It sure is,” Alice agreed. “They got here about an hour ago, signed the rental agreement, and hit the trails.” Alice laughed. “The two that arrived in the truck are in their forties, I would guess, but they acted like children on Christmas morning. They just could not wait to get out there on the trail. They said a third would be joining them later.”
“They were okay with the terms?” Sarah asked, taking a seat on one of the stools.
“They were fine with it. One of them even commented on the quiet hours you added. He thought it was a smart policy with the cabins so close together,” Alice reported.
“I’m relieved to hear that,” Sarah said. “I was a little concerned that your sleep would be interrupted by rowdy guests.”
“I think I’ll be okay,” Alice said. “Are you ready to cook?” Alice asked.
“What are we making?” Sarah stood and asked.
“You are making spaghetti sauce,” Alice said.
Just for fun and to get a rise, Sarah asked, “Where is the jar of sauce?”
“Ha, ha,” Alice said. “Jar sauce is reheating, not cooking. We will be making it from scratch.” Before she could finish, Alice realized that she had been baited. “Oh, you,” she finished, “Take a look at these ingredients. What order do you think they should be combined?”
The water was beginning to boil for the spaghetti and Sarah was about to burst. She was waiting until they sat down to tell Alice about her date with Robbie. While she was stirring the noodles in, she spied a car quietly making its way down the driveway. It passed the house and the cabins and parked next to the truck as she watched.
“That must be the third person that the others mentioned,” Alice said as she grabbed a key off of a hook and waited.
A man in his late twenties came to the door. Alice opened it and invited him in. “Jason?” she asked.
“That’s correct,” he said, flashing a smile at her and at Sarah. Alice noticed how he quickly looked Sarah over from top to bottom before returning his attention to her. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end.
“Here is your key,” she said while handing it to him. “Cabin 1,” she pointed, “It is the one with the porch light on. The others took off on their machines. They said they would be back soon.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I’ll get our dinner started while I wait for them, but I’m sure it won’t be as good as what I smell cooking here!” He flashed another smile at Sarah, and she could not help but smile back.
After an awkward moment of silence, Jason said, “Okay, I’m out. I hope to see you around.” He opened the door and closed it behind himself before walking to the cabin. About halfway there, he turned and tried to get another look at Sarah, but she wasn’t in the window anymore.
As soon as Jason left, Sarah announced, “Three more minutes, and we can eat!” She moved to retrieve a colander from under the counter. “He’s right, it does smell delicious.”
“Stay away from that one,” Alice warned in a voice that Sarah had never heard before.
Stunned by Alice’s statement, Sarah replayed the encounter in her head. “Okay,” she said. “Looking back, I think I can see why you would be concerned.”
“It’s just a gut feeling,” Alice said more gently. “Please, do not let him get you alone. I did not like the way he looked at you.”
The spaghetti was drained, and Sarah put the colander on a plate. “Let’s eat. I have news for you that I’m just dying to talk about!”
“Do tell,” Alice said as she picked up some potholders and grabbed the saucepan. She followed Sarah to the table where they arranged the food between them.
Once they were served and seated, Sarah began. “You are not going to believe what happened during my study break,” she said excitedly. “Robbie Banks asked me to the Winter Dance!” she squealed.
A warm smile spread across Alice’s face. “I told you it wouldn’t be long before the boys started to notice you,” she said.
“There is more!” Sarah interrupted and continued impatiently. “He asked in front of everyone, and the entire cafeteria went silent. I thought I might die!”
Intrigued, Alice asked, “What did you tell him?”
“First, I calmed myself,” Sarah said calming as she recalled the event. “I said, I’d love to go to the dance with you, Robbie.”
“Good for you!” Alice nearly cheered. “You have to let me take you shopping for a dress,” She insisted.
“That would be fun,” Sarah said.