Ruthe McDonald

A full moon lit the highway with a silver glow. Light reflected off the freshly fallen snow. A fresh coat covered the stretch of highway that was occupied just a few short hours ago with Mack trucks, and drivers making their final deliveries before Christmas day. Nick found himself at Lucky’s Diner, off I-95. It was a long trip from California to New York. He didn’t mind, though. He had no one to rush home to. No family, very few friends. He was a loner. He’d been driving big rigs for twenty years now. He enjoyed traveling and the time he had to himself. Nick didn’t understand, however, why he was drawn to this diner. He always found himself here--at Lucky’s--not even sure how he got there. He could be headed in the opposite direction and he’d look up, and he was here. Same time, every time. Same food. Same conversation. Same person.

Nick walked into the diner shaking the snow from his hat and his worn jacket.

"Hey there stranger. Long time no see," Mel smiled at Nick, as she walked towards the kitchen.

Nick returned the smile. "Hey there Mel. How’s it going?" Nick took a seat at the counter.

"It’s going pretty well. I haven’t seen you for a spell. Where you been hiding?" She asked, as she cracked a couple of eggs into a bowl.

"Oh, I’ve been a little bit under the weather..."

"Sorry to hear that, suga. Hope you feelin’ better."

"Yeah, I’m alright."

"Okay. Kinda missed you ‘round here," she said winking at him from the kitchen. "I didn’t have’s no one to cook for," she smiled. "Nick, is that a blush I see on your face?"

"Oh stop it, Mel," he laughed. In fact, he was blushing. Mel made Nick feel like a twelve year old school boy.

"Well, I’ll be damned. You are blushing. I think I’m finally getting to you!" Mel took a steak from the refrigerator and placed it on the grill.

"Well, I guess you just have that way with you," Nick said softly.

Mel picked up the pot of coffee and grabbed a mug. She poured him some coffee, adding two sugars, and a dash of cream -- just the way Nick liked it. She pushed the mug in front of him. She stood silently, watching him.

"This certainly smells good, Mel." He said looking up. "I ain’t gonna lie to you; I sure missed your coffee." He smiled, holding the mug in his hands.

Mel stood with her hand on her hip, and nodded hesitantly. She reached and touched Nick's forehead with the back of her hand.

"You’s alright, suga? I don’t know...you seem a little different," she noted with concern in her voice.

Nick put the mug down. "Just feels like I‘m forgetting something." His lips curled into a smile, and his eyes got a sparkle in them. "But I’m fine, Mel." He crossed his heart. "Scout’s honor." He smiled.

Mel laughed. "Yeah, okay. If you’re a boy scout, then I’m Joan of Arc!" She laughed as she walked back to the kitchen. "How you want your eggs, suga," she yelled over her shoulder.

"Same as always: green pepper, onions, and mushrooms."

"Give me five..."

Nick looked around the diner, trying to remember the first time he’d come there. He really couldn’t recall. His memory hadn’t been so great lately. He always felt like he was forgetting something. He looked up and Mel was standing before him.

"Hey suga’. Just the way you like; soft omelet with green peppers, onions and mushrooms. And a nice juicy steak, medium rare." Mel sat the plate down.

"Thanks Mel. You treat me so well," Nick smiled. "Looks great. Smells good, too."

"Anything for you Nick."

"So, do I get to meet Lucky this time?" Nick asked picking up his knife and fork.

"I don’t know. Seems like you two never gonna meet. But that’s okay. I kinda likes having you all to myself," she laughed.

Nick never really thought about it; Mel was the only one he ever saw at the Diner. It didn’t matter when he showed up; it was always just him and Mel. He didn’t mind. Mel was good company. Besides, he didn’t believe a woman should be working the late shift by herself.

********

"So, any plans for Christmas?"

"No."

Mel wrapped her scarf around her neck. "Tell you what...come home with me?"

Nick almost choked on his omelet. "No, no. I couldn’t impose," he said coughing.

"You alright?" Mel ran a hand over Nick's back.

"Hmm...Yeah...I’m good," He said clearing his throat.

"Really. Come on over. I hate to think of you in some dingy motel for the holidays. I wouldn’t feel right. Besides, my family won’t mind. And it will give my husband someone new to talk to. He’s been going a little house crazy lately; not being able to work and all." Mel placed a hand on Nick’s shoulder and squeezed. "What do you say?" She tilted her head and pouted her lips, batting her eyes.

Nick chortled. He could feel himself blushing again. "You sure he won’t mind?"

"I’m sure. No one should be alone for Christmas."

"Okay. I’d love to."

"Good."

"You know, you really shouldn’t bat your eyes like that. You’re liable to give a man high blood pressure!" Nick teased.

"Who me?" Mel feigned ignorance. "Whatever do you mean, sir?" She laughed, fanning herself with her hand.

Nick shook his head. "You are too much, Mel! But a southern belle ain‘t one of ‘em!"

"Yeah. I know. Now you sound like my husband. You two will get along just fine."

Mel finished cleaning off the counters and putting things away, as Nick finished his meal. She placed his plate in the dishwasher, and grabbed her coat and keys.

"My car's out back," she motioned to Nick.

"Alright." Nick fastened his jacket, and waited for Mel.

Mel locked the front door and hit the lights. "Your rig will be fine. No one hardly passes this way on holidays."

Nick shrugged. "I ain’t worried none. Ain’t much in there anyways." He held the door open for Mel.

Nick watched Mel lock the back door. He smiled as she walked toward him. He started to say something when he noticed Mel freeze. He turned, following her stare, and saw a flash of light…


********

Montclair Times…

...After twenty years, Richard Lake admits to killing his wife, Melody Lake and trucker Nick Wilkins, on the morning of December 25th, 1987. Mr. Lake suspected his wife of cheating with the owner, Lucky Owens. He admits to shooting both his wife and Mr. Wilkins in a fit of rage and jealousy...Although closed shortly after, some say every Christmas eve, there is a light in the Diner, and two people can be seen sitting at the counter...


********

Nick walked into the diner shaking the snow from his hat and his worn jacket.

"Hey there stranger. Long time no see," Mel smiled at Nick as she walked towards the kitchen.

Nick returned the smile. "Hey there Mel. How’s it going?" Nick took a seat at the counter.

"It’s going pretty well. I haven’t seen you for a spell. Where you been hiding?" She asked, as she cracked a couple of eggs into a bowl.

"Oh, I’ve been a little bit under the weather..."