Willow
WEEK ONE
I literally feel like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex In The City (the actual show and not that questionable reboot), minus the beautiful designer clothes, and the fly-as-hell Upper West Side apartment.
Okay, actually the only similarity between me and that 1990s iconic fictional television character is that I’ve literally just been splashed with dirty street water by an Uber instead of a bus (like she was) and now my only decent-looking outfit is soaking wet.
“Ugh, you’ve got to be kidding me!”
It also doesn’t help that when I enter The Links Cafe, the air conditioning is on full blast and my drenched dress clings to my skin, placing my nipples on high alert. Something told me I should have shoved a light jacket in my new Telfar tote when I was rushing out the door. I can almost hear my mother saying I told you so.
“Welcome to The Links Cafe.” A slender woman with spiky salt and pepper colored hair and a white Links Cafe apron approaches me. “Would you like a table?”
“Hi, yes, but I’m meeting someone. There should be a guy about my age, thick blonde hair, and a tall athletic build waiting for me.”
“Everyone in here is your age, honey,” she chuckles. “Sounds like your guy is a hottie, though.”
I have to laugh at myself as I look around the room. She’s right. Cooper Grove University students occupy more than half of the tables in the eatery.
“Uh, yes, I guess you could say that.”
Actually, he’s totally hot. The man of my dreams.
“No offense to my patrons already in here, but I don’t see anyone who fits the description you’re looking for, but feel free to take a look.”
“Is the air conditioning on extra high in here?” I ask, shivering in my damp dress.
“It’s Georgia, hun’. The air is always on.”
I eagerly scan the room, looking for the student I’m tutoring today. Aaron is a guy I’ve had a crush on ever since I stepped foot on the campus of Copper Grove University three years ago. Most students know and like him because he throws some of the most legendary parties at school, which is exactly why he doesn’t know who I am. Why would he? I’m a quiet, nursing student who barely has time to eat, much less party if I’m going to graduate on time.
“I don’t see him yet, so I’ll just take a table for two, please.“
“This way.”
The woman grabs a couple of menus and seats me at a small corner booth.
“My name is Regina, but you can call me Miss Gina. Everyone does. Have you eaten here before, hun’?”
“No, ma’am.”
“If you want a recommendation, I suggest the smothered pork chops today. They’re the best thing on this week’s menu. My husband is the chef, and it’s his specialty.”
“Oh, is this your restaurant?”
“It is ours,” she says proudly. “We’ve been serving soul food to Copper Grove students for over twenty years.”
“That’s a long time. No wonder it’s always packed in here. You’re like a local treasure.”
“Aww, thanks. We enjoy the community here as well.”
Near the front window, I notice a fresh miniature Christmas tree with festive red and gold decorations that remind me of displays I grew up seeing in my neighborhood. I always get a bit homesick around this time of year.
“The Christmas decorations in here are gorgeous,” I tell her.
“Aww, thank you. Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. Can you believe that some of these decorations are from the seventies? They’re basically family heirlooms.”
“Like in the 1970s?” I ask incredulously. My mom saves nothing from last year, much less from decades ago, so I’m duly impressed. I still haven’t gotten over her donating my beloved Barbie and Bratz doll collections to a local church without my consent.
