the Jefferson Diner....

The woman sat at the booth by the window. She was a big woman both in size and in presence; almost out of place and more suited to dine at the fine tavern next door. She leaned down and touched her calf, feeling the soft smooth hose that adorned her legs, revealed by the split in her long satin-lined green wool maxi dress. A moment later she looked up to see a very nervous girl standing before her.

She continued, but now with both hands gently supporting the girl’s slender neck as the kiss grew hot and romantic. In a moment Jane had changed from a seldom noticed duckling to a graceful swan who gained the admiration of the crowd. She startled everyone by reaching around and down and in a second had the girl bundled in her arms; sweeping her away from all that as she carried the girl to the sound of...

“Johnny? Did you remember to take out the trash?” The loud voice echoed in the hallway as Johnny woke up with a start. A moment of foggy semi-awareness was followed quickly by a tentative,

“Ye…yeah, Mom…I….”

“Well, okay, honey. I’m heading for bed myself, okay? Love you,” Johnny’s mother called as she walked down the hallway. A second later he heard the door open as his mother entered the room. She walked over to his bed. He gripped the covers tightly that lay across his body. She leaned over and kissed his cheek and shook her head, the scent of her Aveda seemed to fill the room. She walked to the bedroom door and stopped. Turning, she smiled at the boy before saying at last,

“I forgot to tell you…Delia called. You left your chemistry book over at her place. She’s going to bring it on the bus tomorrow.” The boy blushed. She went to exit the bedroom but turned one last time.

“Honey?” The word was soft and gentle but seemed to bode of more than just a final ‘good night. He looked up gingerly, his hands still gripping the blanket tightly to his chest.

“Make sure you put my uniform away when you’re finished with it.” She said with a soft laugh. He looked at his mother and then down at himself. A peek underneath the covers revealed a pink polyester dress that covered a perky if entirely faux bosom. On the left breast, just under the ‘Jefferson Diner’ Logo, was a name tag, covered with a piece of white medical tape with a handwritten name. His face grew hot and he wished he could just die right there when his mother spoke one last time.

“Sweet dreams, baby, okay.”

“Okay, Mom…love you.” He said nervously as his eyes filled with nervous fearful tears. She stood in the doorway and sighed.

“I love you too…..Jane.”

Up Where We Belong
words by Will Jennings
music by Jack Nitzsche
and Buffy Saint-Marie
as performed by
Gschwisteract
from the Motion Picture
An Officer and a Gentleman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOaU31Zs-5w