by Nolcha Fox
Lady with the Red Scarf at the Countdown Diner
Did I misinterpret our eye contact?
Sunday evening, Countdown Diner, you alone drinking wine, me with my back to you and the mirror in front of me, made eye contact several times. Don’t want to be misunderstood.
Kicking myself for not saying anything to you.
You have a beautiful smile.
Handsome Man with the Light Grey Cap at the Countdown Diner
You have amazing blue eyes and I would love to meet you any Saturday morning for coffee at the Countdown Diner. Alice.
Sorry for Spilling Hot Coffee on You!
Thanks for joining me at the Countdown Diner counter. I was so nervous! Spilling coffee on you wasn’t the first impression I wanted to make. Alice, will you give me another chance? Not to spill coffee on you, but to make a better impression. Greg.
What Happened to You, Alice?
A fireman stopped by my house and gave me what was left of a letter I wrote you. The envelope was singed except for one small corner, and only my address was visible. All I could read of the letter was the word “Love.”
I asked him what happened, and he told me that your house, and several others in the courthouse district had completely burned down. He didn’t know what happened to anyone.
I don’t know if you’re dead or alive. I hope you’re alive. Please contact me! Greg.
Still Looking for Alice
It’s been a couple of years, but I’m still looking for you, Alice.
Get back to me if you see this. I don’t have your contact info.
I think of you often. Greg.
Remember Alice?
It’s been almost a decade, Greg. Do you remember me? We met at the Countdown Diner. I used to live in the courthouse district, but … remember that big fire? It was in the news. My house burned down, and I lost everything, including your contact information. I had to move out of state, back home with my folks, and rebuild my life.
I’ve been thinking about what could have been, had I not left.
If you remember us, reach out. I’m back in town now, and would love to catch up. I miss you. Alice
Coffee Grinding Across from the Countdown Diner
Twice now, we’ve checked each other out while grinding coffee at the grocery store. I’m the tall silver-haired guy with blue eyes, you’re the silver-haired gal with the beautiful smile who reminds me of someone I almost loved once. We’re probably close to the same age, but I suspect we both have imaginations left over from when we were 30.
Interested in a cup of coffee, maybe Saturday morning? I know a great diner across the street from the grocery store. I’ll meet you at the counter.
Nolcha Fox’s short stories have been published in Deadlights, The Wire’s Dream Magazine, We Are A Website, Cadaverous Magazine, Dusk & Shiver, and Envie! One of Nolcha’s short stories will be published in the upcoming issue of The Ginger Collect.
Nolcha has a short story anthology “Taking Up Space” on FicFun.com, and a horror novelette, “Little Lies,” on Dreame.com. She publishes short stories monthly through Wattpad and in her “So Many Times” short story anthology on Dreame.com. Follow Nolcha on Twitter @NolchaF.