DECEMBER: THE BIG CITY
“Old town? Downtown? Uptown? Which one did you want?”
The young woman looked up Central Avenue, tugged a long woolen scarf tighter, and hugged herself against the biting wind. “I think you’d probably be happier just up the road, Nob Hill. It’s kinda artsy, lots of small businesses, cafes, restaurants, a movie theatre, that kind of thing, and more your style I’m thinking. Yep, Nob Hill is where I’d go if I were you. There’s this amazing clothes store, kind of a consignment place. Bonanza sells funky stuff from all different decades. It’s really cool, you know?” She nodded to herself and then smiled. “I think I might go there myself today in fact. Yes, yes, I think I will. Well, nice chatting to you and I hope you enjoy your visit! Bye then, bye.” She huddled in the doorway of the café and pulled out her smart phone, ignoring me suddenly.
I pushed past her gently and found myself in line at a counter before I’d had a chance to look around.
“Next!”
“Me? Oh me, right?”
The menu above the counter went on and on. What with the music, the chatter and laughter all around, and a crowd of dinnertime customers pushing against me, I stared uncomprehending.
“Mmm, do you mac and cheese?”
“With or without chile?”
“Without, and a mug of decaf too please?”
I stood aside and waited as she rang me up. Fifties décor filled the huge, cavernous café. Bright color photos and movie stills lined the walls, weird, odd keepsakes from Route 66, and even two ancient gas pumps stood under the neon signs for the bathrooms. I took my number and found a seat in the far corner next to a window. The place was packed, loud, and anonymous. It wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped for but oh well. My head was silent for once, words and memories drowned out by the wall of noise around me. Tired and hungry, I waited quietly.
“Okay, Nelson, what do you think? A walk around the neighborhood before we find a motel for the night?”
Nelson sat up with a huge wide yawn and jumped out to sit next to me. His light cappuccino fur looked ragged.
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