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Momma Jay's

Author: River Audra
last update Last Updated: 2024-09-06 01:51:52
MILES

“Hey Kenny, slow night so far?” I asked as I stepped into Momma Jay's 24-hour diner.

The scent of butter and syrup wrapped around me, as familiar as my own skin. The jukebox hummed low, playing some old blues song in the corner. The place was half-empty—just a few late-night regulars hunched over coffee, stirring cream into their cups like the act alone would keep them awake. It should’ve felt normal.

But something was wrong.

Kenny was behind the counter, wiping down an already spotless surface. His chocolate-brown eyes flickered to me, then to the floor. He looked uncomfortable. He never looked uncomfortable.

I froze.

“Miles,” he said carefully, like he was picking each word out of thin air. “I didn’t think you’d be coming in tonight.”

I blinked. “Why not? I called yesterday to pick up a late shift since I had that family dinner, remember?”

He nodded, shifting from foot to foot. “Yeah… but I thought Momma Jay had told you.”

Something crawled up my spine.

“Tol
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