A Date in History

A Date in History

By

Robin Silverglate

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Robin Silverglate

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

*****

To my husband, Dan

Who brings laughter into my life

CHAPTER 1

Many waitresses would dread going to work on a day which they were assigned a double shift. Darcy, however, was thankful for the opportunity. Not only would it give her some extra cash, but it would also keep her mind distracted from any unwelcome thoughts that the day might bring. It was the sixth anniversary of her parents’ death. Even though she had moved on with her life, May 10th would always put a halt to any progress that she had made. For Darcy, this day would be forever tinged with sadness, regret, and even guilt.

Might as well get this day over with, she mumbled to herself as she left the house. The bright and cheery sunshine that greeted her outside helped calm her gloomy thoughts. The harsh Colorado winter was officially over and Darcy reluctantly succumbed to the charms of the warm spring morning. Instead of focusing on her losses, Darcy forced herself to think of all the good things in her life. She was probably going to get straight A’s in her classes this semester. She had wonderful friends who let her live with them in their house. Page and Ben were not only her best friends, but they were also the owners of the restaurant in which she worked. And because of their generosity, she was able to earn enough money to continue her education at the community college.

As she rounded the corner of her block, she was met with an expected sight. Good morning Owen, she said pleasantly.

Ah, Darcy, said the elderly man sitting on his front porch. I was hoping to catch you on your way to work.

Darcy turned to walk up the pathway to his house. Did you need me to get you something? Darcy tried to help her disabled neighbor whenever possible. Owen’s daughter visited at least three days a week, but on the other days, Darcy would often stop by and lend a hand. She suspected that Owen was very lonely on the days that his daughter was not around and was desperate for company. It was probably the main reason why he spent so much time on his front porch observing his neighbors.

At first, Darcy saw her assistance as an obligation, but she ended up truly enjoying their time together. Owen always had the most interesting stories to tell about his past. As she walked up the porch steps, Darcy was immediately overwhelmed with the smell of cigar smoke. Besides watching the comings and goings of his neighbors, Owen was an ardent cigar smoker. Darcy took a second to adjust to the pungent scent and then said, I have to be at work soon, but I can help for a minute if you need something.

No, I don’t need anything today, Owen replied. I just wanted to tell you that I am famous.

Darcy assumed a surprised look and said, I had no idea that I was living so close to a famous person. Are you a movie star?

No, indeed, scoffed Owen. I am not handsome enough.

A politician? Darcy guessed.

Definitely not, Owen said with a laugh. I can’t stand the whole lot of them anyway.

I give up, said Darcy. How are you famous?

Owen reached for a book that rested on the arm of his wheelchair and said, An old war buddy of mine wrote a book about our experiences during the Korean War. And I’m mentioned in Chapters three, four, and five.

That’s wonderful, said Darcy as she reached for the book. May I read it sometime?

I’m almost done with the book myself. And you are welcome to borrow it as soon as I am finished. But you have to promise to not think too poorly of me after you read about my raucous behavior in Chapter Four.

Darcy crossed her heart and said, I promise. But now I am really curious. Can you give me a hint before I go to work?

No, I will do no such thing. You will just have to wait and see, Owen said with a mischievous mile. Now get going to work. I wouldn’t want you being late on my account.

Darcy patted him on the shoulder before walking off his porch and back into the cleaner air of the street. She quickly traversed the five block walk and entered the Waterfall Café promptly at 10:30. Having been an employee of the café for several years, she did not even bother checking in the office. Instead, she went straight to work on setting up her tables. Page came out of the kitchen wearing the same white t-shirt and beige pants uniform as Darcy. She grabbed two chocolate brown aprons off of the counter and handed one to Darcy. She always liked wearing the chocolate brown aprons because it matched the exact shade of her shoulder-length hair and eyes.

Mornin’ Darcy, she said. Darcy smiled back as she looked up. Page was a pleasantly plump woman in her mid-thirties. Her curly red hair was always a little on the frizzy side. She had given up trying to tame it years ago and just left it in its au-natural state. I hear that there is a large group of tourists coming by today to see the falls. And I expect a lot of them will be here for lunch. Could be a busy afternoon.

Great, said Darcy as she finished tying the strings on her apron. Darcy actually liked talking to the various tourists that frequented the Waterfall Café. She always asked where they were from and wanted to know more about their home towns. Darcy has spent all of her twenty years living in Taylor Creek, Colorado. It was a small town that boasted a Wal-Mart, a movie theater, a hotel, a couple restaurants and a very small community college. About the only thing unique and interesting in this town was the beautiful Raven Falls. There was always a steady stream of tourists visiting Taylor Creek throughout all the seasons of the year. Because of this, business was pretty good at Ben’s and Page’s restaurant since it catered mostly to these short-term customers.

Darcy went to the kitchen in order to talk to Ben about the day’s specials. Ben did the cooking along with helping his wife managing the endless details of their business. Ben was also in his mid-thirties. He had played a lot of football in high school, but never made it beyond that level. His muscular build was proof of his prior athletic talent, but his generous stomach showed how much he liked his own cooking.

Hey Ben. I hear today is going to be busy, Darcy tried to sound cheerful.

Yeah, that’s what Page tells me, Ben quietly said. He was a little on the shy side, but was most comfortable talking to his wife and Darcy. Page and Ben had been married for twelve years and were very happy together. Their only sadness that Darcy could see was that they were having a very difficult time getting pregnant. Page is such an affectionate woman and desperately wants to love a baby. Darcy knew that Page would probably rather have a little baby girl to dote over instead of this twenty year old woman that they had unofficially adopted into their family. But Darcy loved all the attention that Page gave her because she had been sorely lacking any parental figure since the tender age of fourteen.

Darcy left the kitchen just as a customer walked into the restaurant. Since he was the first customer of the day, he took the best seat available. It was right next to the large window which offered a great view of the picturesque garden located in the center of town. Darcy noted that he looked like a typical tourist who was in his mid to late twenties. He had an overstuffed backpack that she guessed was loaded with a jacket, a couple maps and bottles of water. He took out a black and white composition notebook and began to look through it intently. Darcy assumed that he was probably a college student on vacation. She walked over to her first customer of the day.

Hi. My name is Darcy. Welcome to the Waterfall Café, Darcy said for probably the thousandth time in her life. Are you studying for a big test? She pointed to his composition notebook.

The man slowly looked up at Darcy and said, No, nothing like that. When he didn’t explain any further, Darcy decided to rattle off the list of specials. As she was explaining each dish, she thought that the customer looked a little on the sad side. This was unusual since most of the Waterfall Café customers were tourists. She’d seen happy customers, tired customers and a lot of intoxicated customers, but she rarely saw a sad customer. He placed his order and slowly tuned his attention back to the composition notebook before she had even left the table.

The large group of tourists started trickling into the restaurant soon after that and Darcy was very busy for the next hour. She had been a waitress ever since high school, so she handled her section very well. Drinks were refilled quickly and food was delivered promptly. Darcy was pleased to see the nice tips that she was getting in exchange for hard work.

During this unusually fast-paced lunch shift, her first customer took out a book and started reading. Darcy was surprised. She rarely saw people reading at the restaurant. Most customers were planning what was the next tourist attraction to visit on their must-do list. Or they were busy engulfing their meal as fast as they could in order to move on to their next destination. That was what Darcy was used to with her customers. She rather liked the look of the young academic that had entered the restaurant and found him a refreshing change. Darcy would periodically check in to see if he needed a drink refill, but for the most part, she left him to his book. He would look up each time she refilled his drink and give her a little sad smile of thanks. Darcy got the impression that he was happy that she was quietly serving him and not trying to force a conversation out of him.

There were five other tables in her section besides the table where the sad man sat. Darcy had secretly dubbed him that name by his first cup of coffee. The rest of the tables were made up of couples and families who had come to see the famous Raven Falls. One table in particular was fun for Darcy to serve. There was a mother who had brought her two young boys to Taylor Creek in order to go sightseeing. They were from Denver and were making a day of it in order to see new things. The two boys were very cute. A little on the rowdy and messy side, as many boys are, but that never bothered Darcy. She decided to directly ask the boys what they wanted to order instead of going through the mother. They proudly gave their orders with only a minor change from the mother.

When she returned with their food, she asked, Did you guys visit the waterfalls today? She liked talking to kids and asking what they thought of the waterfalls. They could come up with the most peculiar observations.

Yeah! It was so cool, said one boy. While the other boy said at the same time, Oh my gosh. That was so much fun.

Darcy laughed at their obvious excitement. I like visiting them too. They are pretty cool. But, didn’t you get tired walking up all those steps to the top of the falls?

Not me, said the oldest, but my brother had to stop and rest three times.

No I didn’t! said the youngest just a little too loudly for the restaurant.

The mother immediately redirected their conversation before it could turn into a larger brotherly confrontation. Tell her how many steps you counted.

This did the trick. The boys both excitedly stated, Three hundred forty six steps!

Wow! It’s really impressive that you are able to count that high. When I was your age, I could only count to three hundred and twenty one.

No way, said the oldest in surprised disbelief.

It’s true. You two are really smart. What grades are you in? Darcy inquired.

I’m, I’m, I’m in Kindergarten, said the youngest. Darcy found it charming that in his excitement to talk to her, his mind was working faster than he could actually say the words.

I’m in second grade, proudly stated the oldest brother.

Well, you both are very smart. I don’t think that I could count that high until I was in third grade. Darcy and the mother exchanged smiles and she left the table. She looked over at her first customer’s table to see if he needed a refill. He was still reading his book, but she thought she saw a hint of a smile on his lips.

Then came a lull in the lunch rush, and most of Darcy’s customers had moved on. The sad man and the cute family were still at their tables, however. She walked over to the mom with the check. The mother took the check and then went to her bag. The immediate look of panic on her face was clear to Darcy. She frantically started shoveling though her large purse. Taking out bulky juice boxes, snack packs, a large bottle of sunscreen, Star Wars actions figures and a variety of other strange items that mothers keep with them on the off chance that they will be needed. Darcy already knew what the mother was going to say before she even said it.

Oh my goodness. I can’t find my wallet, the mother said in a nervous and apologetic voice. Can I go look in my car? I’m parked right over there. She pointed to the parked car directly outside the restaurant window. Darcy told her that it was fine to go check the car. The panicked woman quickly walked out the restaurant with her kids in tow. Darcy watched the frantic mother through the window. Not because she didn’t trust her and think that she was going to leave, but because she legitimately felt bad for her. The sad man sitting next to the window was no longer reading his book. He was watching the anxious mother as well.

After about five minutes of searching under every seat, in every cubby and cupholder in the minivan and finally through her purse two more times, the mother gave up. Darcy and the sad man together watched the woman begin crying in the front seat of her car. Darcy was sincerely affected by the woman’s tears. Probably because it was an inherently tough day for Darcy as well. Here was a mother who just wanted her kids to have a fun time, and it was turning out to be a complete disaster. Darcy definitely had a soft spot in her heart for mothers like that, especially on this dreaded day when she herself lost her own mother.

Darcy went outside the restaurant to talk to her. I’m sorry that you can’t find your wallet. Are you OK?

The woman tried to calm down and sniffed a little as she said I’m fine. I have no idea where it is. I thought that I put it in my bag when we left the house this morning. But, maybe I left it at home. She took another big breath and said, I obviously can’t pay the bill now. Should I go talk to the manager? The mother looked a little scared as she asked that last question. It was clear that this woman had never been in trouble a day in her life. And this is the closest that she has ever come to being a criminal in her own eyes.

Darcy gently placed her hand on the woman’s arm and told her, Don’t worry about it. I’ll speak to the manager. I am sure that he will understand. You just take your kids home and remember the nice day that you had with your boys at Raven Falls. Don’t dwell on what happened here.

Really? the mother cautiously asked. She sounded hopeful, yet unsure what to do. I am so sorry. This has never happened to me before, and she started crying again.

It’s OK. Go home and look for your wallet. I really hope that you find it, said Darcy. She looked at the boys in the back seat of the car who were unusually quiet now. They looked worried that their mom was crying. You boys have a really sweet mom who takes you to fun places. Do me a favor boys. Give your mom lots of hugs and kisses today. She needs at least three hundred forty six kisses.

Yes, ma’am, said the boys together and they immediately got out of their seats to begin the kissing. The youngest boy was even counting One, kiss two, kiss three, kiss.

The mother was soon laughing a little through her tears. She looked at Darcy and said, Thank you so much. I really appreciate your help today. She moved to help buckle up her youngest in the backseat of the minivan.

No problem, Darcy said. I hope you find your wallet.

Thanks, said the mother as she closed the door. The boys were waving and yelling goodbye to Darcy as well. The mother was still teary-eyed, but looked a little happier as she started to back out of the parking spot.

Darcy watched them drive off for a minute. Then she reached into the pocket of the apron which was part of her uniform. That was where she kept her tips for the day. She counted out enough money to cover the family’s bill. She sighed a little as she did this. Darcy had made this decision on her own and did not want Ben and Page to loose any money just because she had a generous heart toward mothers in distress today. She wasn’t going to let them know about this incident. She turned around to go back into the restaurant and was surprised to see the sad man watching her through the window. He gave her a look of approval that showed that he had witnessed the whole scene. Darcy shrugged and smiled back, then walked into the restaurant and went straight to the cash register before she could change her mind.

Since she only had one customer left, she grabbed the coffee pot to top off his coffee cup. He had gone back to reading his book, but looked up when Darcy was done filling the cup.

Thanks, he said with a friendly voice and a sweet smile. He looked up enough this time for her to fully see his face. Darcy was struck by how brilliantly blue his eyes were. They were a deep blue color. The shade of blue that she always envisioned was the color of the water on some Mediterranean island paradise.

Darcy immediately smiled back and said, You’re welcome.

He looked as if he would like to begin a conversation, but then looked over at some customers entering the restaurant. Darcy’s attention turned away from those beautiful eyes and went back to her work. She walked over to the new set of customers sitting in her section and greeted them with her standard Hi. My name is Darcy. Welcome to the Waterfall Café.

A second wave of lunch customers quickly absorbed the majority of Darcy’s attention. But she was instantly aware when she saw the sad man get up from his table and quietly leave the restaurant. She was sorry that she didn’t get the chance to give him a final goodbye, but she was too busy with her new customers at the moment.

When the customers’ orders were given to Ben and all the drinks had been delivered, Darcy finally had a chance to go over and clear the vacated table. She saw that he had left cash on the table to cover his bill. She picked it up and walked over to the cash register. Darcy loudly gasped when she started counting out the money. The sad man had paid his bill, but had also left her a fifty dollar bill as a tip.

Page was standing behind Darcy, waiting for her turn at the register when she saw her reaction. Is everything OK, Darce? Something wrong?

Not at all, said Darcy. That customer who was sitting by the window for hours left me a really great tip. She lifted up the fifty dollar bill as proof.

Lucky! You should go spend it on something frivolous. Like a new pair of shoes or some nice clothes, said an excited Page.

No, this money is going straight into the bank for the college fund, said Darcy.

That is the practical thing to do, but sometimes, you gotta have a little fun. I worry about you, you know. You’re either working at the restaurant, studying at school, or hanging out with those two old fogies that you live with. You need to enjoy life more, said Page.

I do enjoy life. So save the ‘old fogie’ lecture for another day. Besides, you know that I love you and really enjoy hanging out with you and Ben. Darcy said as she gave Page a hug. Page looked pleased with the complement. I have to get back to my customers now. Darcy said with a smile and went to check on her customers’ drinks.

The last hour of the lunch shift was spent in a whirlwind of hungry customers looking to quickly eat their meals and move on to their next destination. However, by the end of the hour, all of her customers had left and Page only had a couple tables to take care of in her section. Page signaled to Darcy that it was a good time to take her break for the day.

I’ll see you later, Darcy. Take your time. We’re fine here, said Page.

OK, said Darcy. She grabbed her little change-purse out of the back office and placed her tips in there, including her fifty dollar bill. Page had deliberately scheduled a long break for her in the middle of the day so that she could visit her parents in the cemetery. Darcy waved goodbye to Page and then walked to the bus stop at the corner. Luckily, her bus was just pulling up and Darcy was glad that she did not have to wait.

Darcy had about fifteen minutes of time to think and reflect while she was sitting on the bus. She thought about things like how old her parents would be today if they were still alive. Her mom would be 45 and her dad would be 48. What would they be doing right now if they were still alive? That was an easy question to answer. They both had been teachers and so they would probably be lecturing to a bunch of high school students who wouldn’t even be aware that they were listening to two of the greatest people who ever lived.

Darcy’s mother and father had both taught history at the local high school. They each had a passion for learning and teaching history. As a child, Darcy had never even heard a nursery rhyme until she entered Kindergarten. Her childhood stories had been funny anecdotes about Presidents or a famous misunderstanding in history. They had instilled in Darcy the same passion for history and she felt that since their death, learning history was a way to feel closer to them. That was the main reason why Darcy would take a History class whenever her schedule allowed.

Darcy rang the buzzer to stop the bus as close to the cemetery as she could get. It was a ten minute walk from where she was dropped off. Since it was a nice day, Darcy did not mind the walk at all. She was actually fond of the cemetery that she had chosen her parents to be buried in. Granted, it was a little off the beaten path. Most people in Taylor Creek chose to be buried in the more modern cemetery on the other side of town. But Darcy had chosen Walnut Hills Cemetery specifically because it was not modern. In fact, it was one of Colorado’s oldest cemeteries. There were even some famous people buried in it. One resident was a Civil War hero and another was a famous author. Sure, the upkeep wasn’t as fancy and grand as the newer cemetery. But, Darcy knew that her History teacher parents would have approved of her choice.

Darcy was relieved to see only a few people at the cemetery when she arrived. She never liked to share this private moment with too many other people. One couple was standing near a relatively new gravesite a few rows down. And one man was off in the far corner probably looking at the general. She found her parents and decided to read their joint tombstone again. Although, there was really no need to read it. Darcy had it memorized.

David Blackwell

January 4, 1966 - May 10, 2008

Jennifer Blackwell

July 18, 1968 - May 10, 2008

Loving Husband and Wife

Adored by their daughter

They will be missed

Darcy sat by their grave for an hour. She didn’t move at all during that time. It was hard for her, but she replayed in her mind every major event that happened the day of their death. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as painful memories pierced through her body. Darcy then tried to think of some of the happier moments that she had shared with her parents while they were alive. The weekly hikes up to the waterfall, the impromptu picnics in the garden when her mother didn’t have time to cook dinner. Darcy truly loved her childhood and wished that it hadn’t ended as early as it did.

A relatively noisy family entered the cemetery and brought her out of her reverie and back to the present. She looked at her watch and calculated that she still had plenty of time before having to report back to work, but not enough time to visit the garden. As a child, she had spent many happy hours with her parents in the garden. Since the garden was right across the street from the Waterfall Café, she decided to visit it after the dinner shift. It would be a nice way to end the day.

She stood up slowly and finally talked to her parents. I love you. I miss you. Darcy turned around and started walking back to the bus stop. The walk back went faster than it had on the way there. The major hurdle of the day was complete and Darcy’s step was a little lighter. As she approached the bus stop, she saw a man reading a book while he was waiting on the bench. Upon closer inspection, she realized that it was the sad man from the lunch shift who had left her the amazing tip. She smiled and was glad that she would get the chance to personally thank him.

He looked up from his book and watched her approach. He didn’t look surprised to see her. It seemed as if he had been expecting her to come. It still took about a minute of walking before Darcy could get to the bench by the bus stop. He gave a little wave to Darcy to show that he knew her. And he slid over to make room for her on the bench.

Hi, said Darcy. I didn’t think that I would see you again. I wanted to thank you for the great tip that you gave me.

You’re welcome, said the sad man. Thank you for letting me hang out in the restaurant for as long as I did. I eat in a lot of restaurants and I’m so tired of the nasty looks that many waitresses give me when I pull out a book to read.

You definitely seem to read a lot, Darcy said as she pointed to his book.

It helps pass the time, he said with a hint of a frown on his face. I’m Ethan Lancaster, by the way. And I know your name is Darcy because you said it all afternoon at the restaurant, Ethan stated trying to lighten the mood. He picked up his backpack and shoved the book inside.

Darcy took that as a good sign that he was in the mood to talk now. I assume that you are a tourist. Did you see the falls yet?

Yes, I saw them first thing today. I got my morning workout climbing up all those stairs, said Ethan with a smile.

Darcy wondered if this was a reference back to her earlier conversation with the two boys at the restaurant. What did you think of the waterfalls? Darcy asked, automatically stepping into the role of the friendly waitress.

I liked them. But, I just wish that it wasn’t so tampered with. I much prefer nature’s beauty without the interference of man.

What do you mean? Darcy asked.

The boardwalk and steps detract from some key vantage sites. And I bet the falls would be much more beautiful if you weren’t forced to look at the fencing and bright yellow signs posted all over the place, Ethan said.

I never thought about that before. I grew up in this town and go to the falls nearly every week. I guess I’m used to the stairs and fencing. I can’t imagine it any other way. But next time I go, I’ll try to visualize it differently, Darcy said, hoping that it would please him. He gave a little smile in response but chose not to say anything.

Darcy decided to keep the conversation going. What are you doing in this obscure part of town? Most people see the waterfall and then move on to the Lovell Mansion.

I’ve already seen that, said Ethan. I went there a few days ago.

So you are doing the grand tour I see. Have you visited the Weeping Rock? Darcy asked.

Yes, that was yesterday. I go where the Miller Tour Book tells me to go, he said with a smile. He reached into his backpack and pulled out a tour book to show her his guide as proof.

What place does the Miller Tour Book say is so interesting out here? Darcy asked in all curiosity.

It mentioned the cemetery had some famous residents, so I was visiting it, Ethan quietly stated.

Oh, said Darcy even quieter. She immediately grasped that Ethan must have been the man in the very back of the cemetery. Darcy realized that he had seen her crying and it embarrassed her. She turned her head to look and see if the bus was coming. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.

Ethan sensed that Darcy’s happy mood was gone. He was silent for a moment, but then said, I don’t know if you saw me at the cemetery, but I saw you. Are you OK?

Darcy kept her head turned to the road, sighed heavily and finally said, Not really. I was visiting my parents. They died in a car accident six years ago today. The embarrassing tears were forming again in her eyes. Darcy desperately tried to hold them back. What would Ethan think of her?

I’m truly sorry for your loss, Ethan said. Darcy turned around to meet his eyes and was once again struck by the brilliant color of blue. She looked at him and tried to detect if Ethan thought she was a basket case and was just being polite or if he was sincere. Darcy’s nature was to find the best in people, so she decided that Ethan was really concerned for her.

Thanks. I’m fine now. It was a long time ago, Darcy said with a small smile forming on her lips. At that moment, the bus stopped right in front of Darcy and Ethan. Catching them both by surprise. Ethan grabbed his backpack and followed Darcy onto the bus. It only had about five other passengers on it so there were plenty of seats to choose from. She chose a seat in the middle and Ethan sat right across the isle from her. He put his feet in the isle and tilted his body toward her.

Do want to talk about your parents? Sometimes it helps to tell someone about them, said Ethan in a kind voice.

Darcy’s immediate instinct was no, but she chose not to say it yet. Instead, she watched him push back an unruly lock of his black hair as he waited for her answer. Darcy was surprised when she realized that she really did want to tell someone about her parents. It wouldn’t be disrespectful to talk about her parents today. It couldn’t hurt to tell him the basic facts. So she simply said, OK.

Darcy didn’t talk for a minute as she mentally prepared what she wanted to say. And Ethan patiently waited. She began by saying, They were wonderful people. My Mom was probably the kindest person that I have ever met. She loved to read and cook. My Dad was very funny and always kept my Mom and me laughing. He was a huge baseball fan and collected baseball cards well into his thirties. In fact, on the day of the accident, my parents had taken me to see the Rockies game in Denver. It was a pretty big deal because the Padres pitcher won his 350th game. On the car ride home, just about twenty minutes away from here, my Dad lost control of the car. There must have been some kind of animal in the road which made him swerve. The car suddenly turned really fast and we went off the road. I don’t remember anything after that. But my parents died at the scene.

She couldn’t believe that she was telling a stranger something so personal and on board public transportation as well. This was not like her. She was usually more controlled in what she said. Darcy credited the anniversary of her parents’ death as the catalyst that was making her act differently today.

How old were you when this happened? asked Ethan when he sensed that Darcy was done with her story.

Fourteen. I had no other family to take me in after the accident. No one to share my grief with. Instead, I spent the rest of my childhood in foster homes. said Darcy.

I’m sorry, said Ethan.

It’s OK. Most of the families that I stayed with were pretty decent people. The bus continued to drive back into town and Darcy and Ethan spent to remainder of the trip in contemplative silence.

When the bus was back in the town’s limits, Ethan turned to Darcy and said, Are you interested in visiting the next Miller recommended tourist attraction with me by any chance? It’s not too far away from here.

I’m sorry, but I actually have to go back to work, Darcy said. When Ethan gave a small look of disbelief to her statement, she quickly added, I purposely wanted to work a double shift today. It helps keep my mind occupied on less serious matters.

I understand, said Ethan. The bus was slowing down for Darcy to get off. Well, it was nice officially meeting you.

It was nice meeting you too, Darcy said as she stood up. Thanks for the company. She stood still for a minute and wanted to say more, but she caught a glimpse of the bus driver’s face in the mirror. He had the look of an impatient man. She gave a quick smile of farewell to Ethan and stepped off the bus.

She decided not to look up at Ethan’s bus window as it drove past her. What good would it do anyway? He was a tourist and she would most likely never see him again. She kept her promise to herself and did not look up as he drove by. So she missed the fact that Ethan watched her from his window as the bus drove off.

When Darcy returned to work from the cemetery, several customers were already sitting down at tables. Page and the other waitresses were handling them with ease, but she gave a relieved look when she saw Darcy come through the door. Darcy didn’t even have any time to talk to Page about her encounter with Ethan at all. She immediately began serving her tables and Page was obviously respecting her privacy.

The dinner shift was a particularly busy one. She was constantly running back and forth between the dining area and kitchen. Darcy was once again happy to be active at work. She was grateful to have the front section of the restaurant. It was always the busiest because of the fact that it had the best view of the garden across the street. Tourists loved to sit at the tables by the window and look over to the quaint gazebo at the center of the garden. The fish ponds with their tiny bridges gently arching over them were a beautiful site even from across the street. The wrought iron benches in the garden offered prime seats to view the different flowers that were in bloom. Roses were currently in bloom and offered a bouquet of colorful flowers and scents. Tourists would often decline the offer of an immediate table in the back, instead preferring to wait for the front window tables. Consequently, Darcy always had new customers to immediately replace the old.

In one of Darcy’s quick stops in the kitchen, Ben spoke to her from behind the preparation table. How are you doing tonight Darcy? I haven’t had a chance to talk to you since you got back from your break.

I’m fine, I guess. But I’m glad that there are only about five more hours left in this day, Darcy admitted.

Your parents were good people. I still remember the funny story that your Dad told us about Calvin Coolidge. And I’ll always be grateful to your Mom for giving me extra credit so that I could pass her class. If I had failed history, that would have been the end of football for me. I’m sorry that this day is hard, but I’m glad that it is almost over for your sake too, Ben said as he was sprinkling croutons over the salads. Darcy liked to hear the compliment about her parents. She had almost forgotten that Ben and Page had both of her parents as their teachers when they were in high school.

Darcy gave Ben a grateful smile, grabbed the salads and brought them out to Table Three. She gently placed the house salad in front of the woman at the table and was careful to make sure the extra side of salad dressing did not spill as she placed the Caesar salad in front of the man at the table. As she was straightening up, Darcy half looked out the window to the garden. Sitting in one of the rot iron benches was a man reading a book. Darcy’s heart gave a little jump as she realized that Ethan was right across the street.

The customer at the table asked for another beer and some more bread with the meal. Darcy forced herself to look away from the window and she said, Of course. I’ll be right back. She immediately went to the kitchen to get the warm bread and brought it back to the table. Darcy then moved on to welcome the new customers at Table Four with her usual greeting. By the time she had gotten to the word Waterfall, Darcy was already taking a peek out the window. Ethan was still there.

She took their drink orders and came back as quickly as she could to Table Four. Taking another quick glance at the gardens to see what he was doing. He was still reading, even though the sun was starting to go down. As Darcy started to walk back to the kitchen, the man at Table Three stopped her to ask where his beer was. She had completely forgotten about the order. Darcy was very apologetic and quickly retrieved the beer.

Unfortunately, that was the first of many mistakes that Darcy would make that night due to lack of concentration and over-peeking. She mixed up drink orders and neglected the refills of bread more than once. Worst of all, she accidentally served the couple at Table Two the meals that were ordered by Table One.