Page 7 of Once Upon A Snowfall
A couple close to my own age steps into the elevator with me and I move to the side to allow them both plenty of room.
“Eight, please,” the man says and places his hand against the woman’s lower back.
I recognize the white bag she’s carrying from the café downstairs, the same café I’d told Annie about. I’m not sure what’s inside, but man, it smells delicious. My stomach begins to growl and I pray neither of them notice.
My room is nice and toasty when I walk in and I quickly adjust the thermostat after I peel off several layers of clothing. Don’t get me wrong, I like it to be comfortable when I go to bed, but if it gets too warm, I won’t be able to sleep.
The curtains are closed to help with the heat and I peek out the side to see if the snow has gotten any worse. “Oh, geez,” I mumble under my breath. There’s so much snow coming downright now, I can hardly see the parking deck down below. I really don’t want to stay here longer than I have to, but from the looks of things, I may not have much of a choice.
I take a seat on the side of the bed and pull the phone that’s on the nightstand over towards me. The operator connects me to the café and I place an order for pick-up. I’ll grab a couple drinks while I’m down there, then head back here in time to catch the game. I’ll probably fall asleep before halftime, but who cares. It’s not like I’m going to be going anywhere anytime soon.
I change into the pair of sweats and a hoodie that was in my duffel bag then laugh at my reflection in the mirror. Apparently, I grabbed the wrong hoodie the last time I did laundry at my parents’ house. Now don’t get me wrong, I think my parents’ two chihuahuas are pretty cool pups, but I don’t think having their faces plastered on the front of a sweatshirt is something I want the rest of the world to see me wearing. My father, on the other hand, has proudly sported this shirt more times that I can count. I bet he’s been going crazy trying to figure out what had happened to it.
I honestly don’t feel like changing back into my work clothes, since I’ll only be gone for a few minutes, so I quickly turn the shirt inside out and pray no one notices. If they do, I’ll play it off and pretend I wasn’t even aware of it.
“Hi, I called in an order a few minutes ago,” I tell the young woman standing behind the counter at the entrance of the café. I take a few steps back and fold my hands across my chest while she goes to the back for my food.
I look around the restaurant, surprised at how slow they are tonight. Normally, this place would be packed, with a line extending around the corner. No doubt, the weather must’ve kept many of the locals at home. I can’t say I blame them—I wouldn’t be here either had it not been for my flat tire.
Suddenly, my gaze lands on the table in the back corner—a young woman having dinner all alone. I may have only spoken to her briefly, but I’d recognize her face anywhere. Annie. I wave, hoping that she recognizes me. Even from this far away, I’m able to see the smile light up on her face.
“Would you like some crackers to go with your soup?” the café attendant asks as soon as she sets my order down on the counter.
“Oh, uh, sure.” I was so consumed with watching Annie, I’m not even sure what the attendant asked me about until she drops a handful of individually wrapped crackers down into the bag.
“I’ve put you some extra napkins in there too,” she says.
“Are the drinks inside the bag?” I ask and steal another glance Annie’s way.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Let me get them for you,” she says and runs off to the back again.
Is it wrong that I want to go over and say hi to Annie? I know she’s eating and probably doesn’t want to be disturbed, but I’d feel bad if I didn’t at least say something. I’m halfway over to her table when I realize…my inside-out sweatshirt!
Chapter Nine
Annie
“Hi,” I manage to say and bring my napkin up to cover my mouth. I can’t believe I shoved that big of a piece of cheese stick into my mouth just when he decided to walk over. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he obviously wanted to say hello, but the timing was so wrong. I manage to swallow it then reach for my diet soda. “Please forgive me, but that piece was still a little warm.”
“I’ve had those before and they’re really good,” he says and transfers the two bags he’s holding into his other hand. “I see you’ve got the potato soup too. What do you think?”
“I’ve only had a couple bites, but you were right. It’s really delicious.”
Then he lifts the bags up for me to see. “I’ve got a bowl of it too.”
I may not have realized it earlier, but Brent really does have a wonderful smile along with a perfect set of teeth. His day-old beard growth isn’t so bad either.
“Would you care to join me?” I’m not sure where that question comes from, but it escapes my mouth before I even have a chance to think about it.
He looks behind him, then down at the chair across from me. “Sure. I don’t want to intrude, though.”
I slide my drink closer to me to allow him enough room and he sets his bags down onto the table.
“I was just sitting here thinking about the ride from Reno. I mean, I knew I was going to see snow, but man, I never realized it would be so much.”
He takes the lid off of his soup, then sticks his spoon into the savory, creamy liquid. I watch as he stirs in the few pieces of fried onions and they quickly disappear to the bottom of the bowl.
“It’s been like this for several weeks now. The weatherman has been saying this year could break records.”
