Arkana Legacy

CHAPTER THREE

Lisa Marie maneuvered her vintage blue sedan down the sunlit streets, the early morning rays casting a warm glow on the world outside.

She hummed to a song coming out of the radio, her fingers drummed lightly on the steering wheel.

She approached the diner her mother had given her directions to, it was a new place, it opened about three years after she left Newbrooks.

“Randy’s Diner” stood ahead an off white building with red roofing.

As she turned to it the see through entrance allowed Lisa to see a smiling cashier at the counter. She felt a bit more comfortable.

Her car, a vintage blue sedan, pulled into Randy’s parking lot with a gentle purr, its polished blue exterior glistening in the sunlight.

Lisa wore a white blouse tucked into black jeans, and a worn leather jacket.

Entering the diner, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon filled the air.

The soft hum of conversation enveloped her as she scanned the space. Diners chatted in booths while waitstaff bustled about, delivering plates and refilling coffee cups.

A friendly voice called out, "Welcome to Randy's!" Lisa looked toward the counter to find a middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair, wearing a welcoming smile and a checkered apron.

She walked up to him “Hey ,I’m looking for Randy”

“You're speaking to him” he said cheerily. Lisa expected him to be in an office or something like those big shot restaurant managers, not at a counter with an apron.

"Hi, I'm Lisa Marie," she said, extending her hand, her fingers fidgeting slightly. He held her hand in a warm and firm grip.

"My mother, Antoinette Marie, gave me a note for you." She handed him a folded piece of paper, on which her mother's graceful cursive spelled out a simple message: "Please consider Lisa for a job. - Antoinette Marie."

Randy's eyes softened as he read the note. "Ah, Antoinette's daughter," he mused, a fondness evident in his tone.

"I used to work with your mother at the town's old bakery." He looked up at Lisa. "She always speaks so highly of you."

Lisa nodded, awkwardly. She wasn’t of what to do with the fondness with which Randy spoke to her. "Yes, that's me."

Randy's gaze softened as he read the note again, a smile tugged at his lips.

"Antoinette is always full of surprises…I wonder if you take after your mother," he said, a hint of nostalgia coloring his words. "I'd be happy to give you a chance, Lisa."

She and her mom had talked about a week ago. "Lisa, darling, you need to do something for yourself, you don't have to sit around watching mw" Antoinette had said. "Randy's place is like family. You can't stay cooped up at home forever."

Lisa had initially balked at the idea of waitressing in a small town diner. She was a trained chef with experience in high-end restaurants, not a waitress. But the days of being jobless, scared for Antoinette and watching reruns on TV had started to wear on her.

She wanted to do something, she needed to forget her past that sent her running to Newbrooks. She needed a new plan, and she couldn’t do that by being idle.

Randy's warm smile brought her back to the present. "Well, Lisa, you're just in time. We could use an extra pair of hands around here." He gestured to the bustling diner. "You could start right away if you're up for it."

Lisa swallowed her reluctance and offered a grateful smile. "Thank you, Randy. I appreciate the opportunity."

As Randy guided her away from the counter, Lisa couldn't help but notice the gentle and kind authority in which he interacted with his staff. Maybe working at Randy's Cafe wouldn't be so bad after all.

“I heard you were a big shot chef, what brings you down here”.

Lisa gritted her teeth as she walked behind him, it was so like her mother to talk to her friends.

“Just a bad break”.

“Well you would be working as a waitress, we aren’t in need of a cook until three weeks. Martha the main cook is leaving town with her family”.

Lisa’s heart swelled at the hope of being back in the kitchen, serving and satisfying customers even if she had to do it in a small diner.

“You could take her spot once she’s gone”. He turned to her as the reached the door to the staff locker room.

“There's a rack of T-shirts that says Randy’s on it, they’re new, just change and come on out”.

“Thanks Randy” this time she flashed him a genuine smile.

“Anytime Lisa” He began to walk away, but he turned back to her. “Lisa, say hi to Ann for me…tell her she could call me, we haven’t spoken in a while”

“Sure thing” he nodded and finally took off leaving Lisa alone to change.

She found the shirt quickly and changed.

Lisa returned to the counter, but this time Randy was gone. In his place stood a young Hispanic Lady. Her name tag said 'Nina'.

“Hey Nina, I'm new here and Randy said I could waitress, what do I do” she asked the lady point blank, not wanting to waste time on small talk.

“oh” The lady was taken aback by Lisa’s words, shaking her head she regained her composure.

“Well start with any customer that sits at a booth and ask them what they'd want”.

Lisa was on her feet a lot throughout the day and the rest of the week.

Randy’s diner may have looked normal on the outside, but the locals thought it was the best place to eat. That meant lots of work and chattering.

It was Monday again and Lisa was bone weary. She went through her normal routine. Then she saw something she hated the most out of the corner of her eye—a rude customer.

“Enjoy your meal” she told the lady she had just served. She made her way to Corrie.

Corrie was new like her, the teenager had her long blonde hair in a ponytail. She was very pretty but she was a bit shy.

“What's going on?” Lisa demanded. “I got his order mixed up. I had asked what he wanted and when he didn’t reply his friend told me to just get the same for him” her mousy voice was shaky.

Lisa turned to the object of the girl's terror. They were two officers, without their guns in sight they still looked intimidating.

The one on her left was sipping his coffee, he seemed determined to keep out of the conversation.

“You could have waited or tapped me or something” he grumbled under his breath.

She turned back to the offending officer on her right. “With all due respect officer, I am sure she did try to get your attention” she held his piercing gaze. Ezekiel was taken aback by her tone and stance. He was also fighting what his wolf was telling him about the stranger in front of him.

She tried not to think of the change in his amber eyes. From anger to a mix of warmth and peace.

He had looked ready to fight when she was poised to attack. The fight seemed to have left him.

“You are right. I’m sorry Corrie, work hazard” he pointed to a closed file beside him.

“I’m told I’m too absorbed in whatever I do” He chuckled. A small smile plastered Corrie's face. Lisa felt the girl relax beside her.

“I hate black coffee. I’ll just have water and waffles, sausages, hash browns and sausages” he finished off in his deep velvety voice.

Lisa hated how nice he had become, she had wanted a fight.

Corrie scribbled on her notepad “Okay, coming up!” she smiled at him as she left.

Lisa felt like she had grown horns. The rest of their stay she avoided where they sat. When they left she was glad to be rid of them.

Lisa rested her hands on her chest. Her heart was no longer beating as wildly as it had been when she kept meeting his gaze while he ate his breakfast.