toastrobot

the night before had been a drag. he hadn't slept well in the motel room across the street. the noise of the hookers slamming the door to the lobby to come in and use the pay phone had woken him up each time. the outlets in his room were outdated and he couldn't plug in the adapter for his laptop. he'd gone down to the bar to watch some of the game and chatted with the bartender. she was pregnant and kind and even though younger than he called him "hon". he listened to the construction workers ask where the action was. they were on a job and would be here for several weeks. he looked at the loud one and noticed the wedding band. the bartender told them how to get to a bar up in lodi. he overheard the conversation between the businessman and his mistress as he laid down the rules for their relationship. "now, you...don't ever...call...me" he was lonely and depressed. but early the next morning he hauled himself out of bed and checked out. he drove across the street and parked, walked inside the denny's and sat at the counter. "grand slam, a coffee and a large juice please" two waitresses circled each other in a wide orbit through the restaurant with coffee pots in their hands speaking as they passed each other. "don't forget to pick up the flowers mom" "i won't forget the flowers honey" "i'm going to remember everything for you. so the only thing you have to worry about is you and that dress and getting to the chapel on time" "if i had more stuff to do, maybe i wouldn't be so nervous. were you nervous before?" "of course honey" "why am i nervous? is it because i'm afraid? why am i afraid?" "because you're giving your heart to someone. forever. you're taking a big risk, and it's scary" "but i love him. and he loves me right? what am i afraid will happen?" "that he'll stop..."