Like clockwork, Emma had been going into the gas station convenience store after buying gas for as long as she could remember, at least for the last four years. She grabbed a cheese Danish and chocolate milk, her go-to breakfast food on the run.
The attendant, Chip, had the overnight shift and was always there at 5:30 a.m. when Emma came in. Chip was cheerful, never saying a bad word about anybody or anything, but never really revealing much about himself.
He was friends to hundreds each day.
“Busy night?” Emma asked.
“Eh, not until about twenty minutes ago. It’ll get busy in about thirty and then I’ll be home in bed.”
“Oh, that’s sweet,” Emma said.
“Yeah, have a good one and all that good stuff. Don’t let ‘em get to ya. Next time, my friend.”
“Sure. See you, Chip.”
Emma thought about Chip’s words as she started her car.
“And all that good stuff,” Emma said out loud, repeating what Chip just said.
And all that good stuff. Interesting phrase. Means nothing really. Just filler.
The next morning, Emma went to pay for her things.
“Hey, Chip. What’s shaking?”
“Oh not much. Same old same old. Seen any good movies lately?”
“Movies?” Emma asked, taken aback by his new question. “Naa. I’m not into the newer stuff. Black and white only for me.”
“Really? Me too,” Chip said. “Have you seen The Vivacious Lady with Jimmy Stewart and Ginger Rogers or Night People with Gregory Peck and Broderick Crawford? 1930s and 40s stuff.”
“No. Can’t say as I have. I’ll have to look them up. I love those old black and whites.”
The next morning, Emma walked into the store and said to Chip, “Saw The Vivacious Lady last night. Never figured Jimmy and Ginger would be able to pull it off. I hear there’s an Oldies theater in Davenport. I’m checking it out this weekend. They’re playing the Hitchcock movie Rebecca. I think it’s 7ish on Saturday. I don’t know if that works with your schedule, but here’s my number.”
She slid her number across the counter.
Just before she exited the convenience store, she said, “Give me a call if you’re interested.”
*******