She had no idea how much I'd appreciate it.
Finding a ride with a trucker was an iffy thing at best. I had several major marks against me. I was not a white man, I was young, and I was gay. I was also carrying a large amount of cash, although no one except me knew that.
I hoped.
When the waitress passed by my table, I flagged her down and asked where the bathroom was located. She pointed to a hallway near the front door. I asked for a refill on coffee then got up and walked to the bathroom.
I walked down the hallway to the bathroom then into one of two stalls in the place. I finished my business as quickly as I could, not wanting to miss Charlie, then walked out of the stall to wash my hands.
I glanced into the mirror when the other stall opened, and a rather robust man with a beard walked out. I nodded to him when his eyes met mine in the mirror then went back to what I was doing.
"You the kid waiting for a ride?" the man asked as he washed his hands.
I glanced up in surprise. "Yes. Are you Charlie?"
"Hell, no, but don't expect anything but a bad time if you hook up with those two."
I swallowed tightly. "Those two?"
"Charlie and Darla. They've been scamming people for years, usually stupid kids trying to hitch a ride." The man glanced me up and down, his upper lip curling back in a sneer. "Like you."
Well, that put a damper on my plans.
"I have to get west," I insisted. "It's a matter of life or death."
Mine.
"You catch a ride with Charlie, you won't make it past the first weigh station." The man didn't say anything more. He just dried his hands off, tossed the paper towel in the garbage, then walked out of the bathroom.
I stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do. I really needed that ride, but involving this Charlie guy wasn't sounding so hot. Of course, the guy with the beard could have been lying through his teeth. If so, I had to wonder what his game was. Did he think I'd ask him for a ride?
I decided it was better if I just cut my losses and find another way west. I couldn't rent a car because I'd be found out if anyone did a search on me. Flying or riding a bus were out as well. That didn't leave me too many options.
When I walked out of the bathroom, I admit my paranoia was running rampant. I saw the man who'd talked to me in the bathroom sitting at the counter drinking coffee. He was avoiding looking at me. He obviously didn't want anyone to know he'd talked to me.
I ignored him as I walked back to my booth. I tossed a couple of dollars down on the table for the coffee then headed for the main door.
"Taking off, honey?" the waitress asked. "I thought you wanted to meet up with Charlie."
"I just can't wait anymore. I've got to get going." I smiled at the lady, hoping she was buying my story. "But thanks."
"Charlie won't be long." She shot a quick look at the other people in the diner before leaning close. "Honey, it's not safe out there. You should really wait for Charlie."
I laid my hand on her arm, giving her a little pat. Despite what the man said in the bathroom, I liked her. "I'll be okay, ma'am. I'm pretty scrappy if anyone tries anything."
I had claws and teeth and everything.
She shot the guys at the counter another quick look before grabbing my wrist. "Why don't you stick around for another cup of coffee? I'll toss in a piece of pie for free."
Either she wanted me to wait around for Charlie or she was afraid for me to go outside. Maybe both. I couldn't decide which. And my kitty senses weren't helping at all. The fragrances wafting out of the kitchen had my cat on overdrive.
I decided that leaving was still my best option. I just wanted to get away from whatever was going on here. I had enough chaos on my plate. I didn't need to add to it, no matter how good the scents from the kitchen smelled.
I smiled at the waitress as I patted her hand. "Thank you anyway, but I really need to get going."
"Oh, but—"
I pulled away and started for the door before she could say anything more. I wasn't sure where I was going from here. Maybe I'd sneak into the woods and shift. I could probably cover more ground that way, and at least my clothes would stay dry.
