She Waited

A day in the life...

As she did every day she worked in the fast food restaurant, Helen waited by the front door for her ride home after her full shift. Her single episode of epilepsy in the past two years prevented her from driving herself, but that was fine by her. She never cared for driving in traffic anyhow.

She stepped over to the garbage can to throw away a napkin.

“How ya doing, Miss Helen?” asked a woman at a table a few feet away.

“Oh, pretty good, pretty good. Thanks for asking. Oh, it’s you, Janie. Almost didn’t recognize you. Haven’t seen you here in a while.”

“Ah, the weather. The crazy weather we’re having.”

“I hear ya, Lady. I don’t know whether to keep my coat out or put it away for the Winter. Told my husband that if we get any crazier, we’ll have to go live at a funny farm. We do get crazy weather here.”

“Yeah, and then the kids staying home from school because of it. Makes it that much worse.”

“Kids? You still got kids at home?

“Na. Grandkids really,” Janie said. “I’m only 44, turn 45 in two days.”

“Well, Happy Birthday. I’m a March baby myself.”

“Really, what day?”

“16^th. Day before St. Patty’s Day. I’ll be 68. 67 now,” said Helen.

“Can’t be 67. You don’t look 67, Helen.”

“Thanks, but I’m starting to feel it. Hoo boy! Every morning I hear the creaks and crackling when I’m walking to the bathroom. Every single morning. I’m surprised I made it this far.”

“But you’re still working here, so that’s good,” said Janie. “Keeps you young with all these kids around you.”

“That’s what they say, but I don’t necessarily believe them, whoever them is.”

Helen walked back to the door.

“And look at the weather now,” said Helen. “Pouring down rain.”

“Crummy out there, for sure. Messy. Not crazy like last week though. Supposed to get up into the 70s soon. I’m not ready for that. You?”

“You kidding me? I just got over the ice storm we had. Course, 70 is better than 25 or 30 any day of the week. Well, here’s my ride, Janie. Take care now. And this crazy weather’s certainly going to mess up my hair. Take care. See ya next time. Don’t be a stranger, Lady.”

“You too,” Janie said. “Have a good one.”

Helen walked out into the rain but was back inside within seconds.

“That was quick,” said Janie.

“Thought it was him. Looked like his car. Cars these days, they all seem to look alike, especially the SUVs. Sure beats walking I guess.”

“Got your hair all messed up, Helen.”

“Tell me about it. Oh well, what’s $30 in the grand scheme of things?”

“I hear ya.”

“Ah, there he is for real this time,” Helen said. “Have a good one, Janie.”

“I’ll be right behind ya, Girl. See ya on the flip side.”

Janie stood and said to no one in particular, “Now, there goes a very good woman.”