Tina's Diner

Allison P.O.V. 

Moving back into the entrance hall, I walk through the door opposite the living room. It’s the bedroom which has an en-suit bathroom, and a walk through closet, which can be closed from both the bathroom and the bedroom. The queen size bed is in the middle of the room, with bedside tables on either side of the bed and reading lamps in the tables. The bed even has clean bed sheets, blankets and pillows on it, so I don’t have to go out today and buy that.  The big window overlooks where my car is parked, and the curtains are blackout curtains which will be very nice for the lighter time of year.  

I go back outside to the car, bringing in my stuff. It takes a couple of turns back and forth, and while bringing my things inside, I also get a look outside. The lake is beautiful, and the forest is full of sounds of life. 

I’ll need to go shopping later, but right now I’ll unpack and start washing my dirty things. 

The time has flown by, and soon I find myself staring at the clock on my phone. I arrived around 7am this morning and it’s already noon. 

I grab my purse and phone, going out to the car. In the bush I see a pair of bright eyes, and I blink rapidly as I believe for a second there was a wolf staring at me. When I look again the eyes are gone, and I soon convince myself it’s just my fear of getting found and hunger that’s playing tricks on my mind. And then I am on my way to the diner my GPS found in Marigold. I think I’ll eat first, and then I’ll shop and go back home. 

The drive to the diner takes less than 15 minutes, and I park right out front. There are some guys going in, and holy fucking hell! They are not just tall as giants, they are also toned and.. Get a grip, girl! You are done with men. But if I weren’t they would be lovely eye candy for sure. Well, they are, but I am not interested. One of them clearly sees me coming and holds the door open. 

“Thank you.” I say with a slight blush as he winks at me. I keep my head down as he walks back to his friends, who make cat calls his way. I decided to sit in an empty booth in the far corner of the loud group.

“Welcome to Marigold Diner, my name is Tina, how may I be of service today?” The elderly lady asks, when she comes over from taking the orders of the loud group. I look at the menu, but I have no idea what to get. It’s not like I have a lot of experience with food between my strict diet with Bane and the food from the road. 

“Oh, uhm. What do you recommend?” I ask her, and she gives me a bright smile. 

“The fried chicken burger with cheese sauce and bacon is really good. And then I’ll recommend the cheese fries and onion rings on the side. Maybe even the mozzarella sticks? I’m a big cheese lover myself.” I nod. That does sound good! 

“I’ll take that, and with extra cheese all around. Uhm, and a coke, please.” Tina nods. 

“Small, medium or large?” I look at the menu again, trying to see the size of the different choices. 

“I’ll take down large for you and if you can’t drink everything then I’ll just ring you up for a medium or small.” 

“I don’t want to get you in trouble.” I say, but she laughs. 

“Darling, I own this place. No one is going to get in trouble.” She replies with a reassuring smile, before going back to the kitchen with the orders. I look around the Diner with interest. This is the first time I’m out - like really out, by myself, since. Well, since before I was shipped off to marry Bane. 

“Here ya go, sweetheart.” Tina says when she comes down with my drink, and damn it’s huge! I just stare at the big ass glass, and wonder how high on sugar I am going to be if I finish this one. 

“Thank you so much.” I answer with a smile. Tina yells an answer to someone who just walked in. This place is very lively, and so opposite of the solitude I’ve been used to since early teens. I just keep observing the people around me, as the delicious smells of food and dessert wafts from the kitchen. Another 10 minutes goes by before Tina comes down with a big plate of yummy food.

“Enjoy your food, sweetheart. And just call me over if you need anything else, alright?” I nod, my eyes focused on the little piece of cheesy heaven in front of me. Tina laughs. 

“One should think you never had a fried chicken burger before.” I blush deeply, as she quietly says “oh”. 

“Uhm, it’s just been a very long time. My.. Uhm. My ex didn’t want me to eat unhealthy food.” I say, trying to fight off another small panic attack. What if she discovers my secret - that I have never, not since my childhood at least, had anything other than leftovers or dry toast and old fruit. Tina sits down opposite me, looking me in the eyes with a kind smile. 

“You come from a hostile situation, don’t ya, sweetheart?” She says and I just nod. I have no idea how to lie about that? “And you ran?” I nod again. She reached over the table. “I’m proud of ya, darling! That takes a lot of strength and courage. Now you enjoy that badboy of a burger and fries, and you tell me if you need something else, alright!” 

“Thank you.” I whisper with tears in my eyes. I haven’t met such friendly people since my grandmother died. 

“Did you move here? What’s ya name?” 

“I did. My grandmother left me the old cottage on the other side of town. Just in the forest there. And my name is Allison.” Tina’s eyes widened. 

“Oh, your old Ardenia’s granddaughter? Well, welcome to Marigold Allison. We’re pleased that you are here with us.” Then she leaves to serve other people who have been yelling for her for the past 5 minutes. 

I dive into the food and it’s divine! I have never tasted anything this good for so many years. My taste buds explode in ecstasy with every bite of burger, fries, cheese sticks and onion rings. 

Tina comes by a couple of times to check on me, and I really appreciate it, although I keep saying she doesn’t need to. When I’m done with my food (clean the plate like there was no tomorrow), she comes down with another plate and a mug. 

“Our famous apple pie and a mug of hot chocolate. On the house, darling.” I just shake my head. 

“I'm so full, and you really don’t have to do that.” I apologize, trying to not sound as ungrateful as I feel. 

“Of course I do! You look like someone who could use the extra love and calories. I’m sorry for being so blunt, darling, but you look very thin. Too thin if you ask me.” I can’t help the smile on my face. This sweet lady just sees through me. 

“Well then, thank you so much!” I reply and she winks. 

“I’ll expect to be seeing you everyday at least once a day, so I can fatten you up a bit. We’ll need you to get back to a healthy weight, right?” I don’t even know what to say. Here she is ruining my plan on being a hermit, and avoiding people as much as possible, while expressing her concern of my weight or lack of, AND she’s going to make money on being nice. Well, damn. 

“Yes, ma’am.” 

“And don’t even think about paying me. I’m doing this for your good, darling. And it’s free.” 

“Tina, I really can’t..” 

“Too bad, because it’s already done. I’ll need my girl to be healthy and safe. I also know someone you can train with when you are better, alright. We’re not going to let fear run us. We’re going to stay strong and positive.” 

“You sound like..” 

“That’s because I was. And I swore to help other girls in the same situation. You found me by some miracle of fate, and now I am going to take care of you.” She hands me a note with her number on it, and then leaves with a small sniffle. 

After enjoying as much of the apple pie and hot chocolate, I ask Tina if there is a grocery store and a bookstore in town? She points me in the right direction, and then I am on my way with a promise to be by the Diner at least once a day for the foreseeable future.

The loud table has quieted down when I walk past them on my way outside, but the handsome guy from before jumps from his seat and hurries to the door, holding it for me once again. I feel myself blush just like last time while thanking him. 

“You're new!” He says, and it’s not a question. 

“And you’re not.” I say back, also not a question. He shakes his head. 

“Born and raised. Where do you live?” 

“Does it matter?” He shakes his head again. “Then it’s none of your business. Thanks for holding the door.” I walk past him as he hollers after me. 

“I’m Tristan! What’s your name?” 

“Something else you’ll have to figure out, Tristan.” I answer as I get in my car. He grins when I drive off, and  goodness me I feel hot all of a sudden. Good thing I only promised to come by this place once a day, or I think I would have to get blood pressure medicine just from looking and talking.