She took a shower and leaned against the wall as the steam filled up the room. She felt okay now, but how long would it last?
After her shower, she dressed in a sweatsuit and UGG boots, then brushed her still-wet hair until it was straight. When she opened the curtains, she saw snow falling in the darkness.
“It’s snowing!” she exclaimed, but Ryan wasn’t there.
She rushed down the stairs in her excitement and found him standing by the door, wiping off his feet. The dog had snowflakes on his back. He wagged his tail at Matilda.
“It’s snowing!” Matilda said again, clapping her hands together.
Ryan laughed. “I saw that.”
“Can we go out driving? Please? I’ve never lived anywhere it snowed before.”
He arched an eyebrow. “Really? Okay, if you like. I’ll get my coat and keys.”
The world seemed a magical place. The sun was glowing on the horizon, but the neighbourhood was still mostly dark. Snow fell silently on the car as the windshield wipers squeaked across the glass. Matilda could see her breath, but it wouldn’t be long before they were warm as hot air rushed from the vents. She rubbed her hands together with a shiver.
“I love it. It’s so beautiful. Do you think it’ll stick?”
“Probably not, but we can enjoy it until then.”
They drove for a while through the quiet town. Traffic was beginning to form as some made their way to work early. They went past two different vehicles that had slid off the road and into ditches, but they didn’t stop since each had a tow truck already in attendance.
“No one in Atlanta knows how to drive when the temperature falls,” Ryan said with a shake of his head.
Suddenly, Matilda felt ravenous. The nausea lingered, but what she really wanted was a huge pile of French fries with ketchup and gravy. An image of the fries filtered through her mind, and her mouth watered at the thought of it.
“Can we stop to eat somewhere?” she asked. “Like… now.”
Ryan looked at her. “You’re hungry?”
“I’m famished. I need to eat something right away. Where can we stop?”
There was a yellow neon sign up ahead that read Waffle House. “How about there?” Ryan pointed.
“Yes! Please. I love waffles. I could eat a whole mountain of them right about now.”
With a chuckle, Ryan pulled his truck into the lot and parked. They walked through the falling snow, arm in arm, as the sun rose over the waking city. They sat in a booth near the back of the restaurant. Every other booth had at least two people seated. Some were full. The place was bustling, which was surprising given how early it was.
“What’ll ya have?” the waitress asked as she took a pencil from behind her ear and held it poised above a ragged notepad.
Matilda looked over the plastic menu. “Can I please have two fried eggs with a pecan waffle, bacon, hash browns, and grits?”
“You got it, honey. And you?” The waitress looked at Ryan with a smile.
He handed her the menu. “I’ll have the same, but with toast instead of the waffle. And can you please get us each some coffee? Thanks.” Then to Matilda, he said, “Grits? Have you ever had grits before?”
She shook her head. “I haven’t, but they sound interesting. Why are they called grits? Are they gritty? Who knows? I guess I’ll find out soon.”
He laughed. “I love them, but you’ll have to add butter and salt.”
“I’m all for adding butter and salt.” She was so hungry, she wanted to slather everything in butter.
“You seem different since you sold the clinic.”
“Different how?” Matilda asked.
“More relaxed. Happier. It’s good.” He smiled as the waitress poured their coffee. “Thanks.”
