almost missed it...

the dawns light is coming on now. he pushes his old ford escort a little harder down the boulevard as it gasps for air. the streets are empty except for the all-nighters, stumbling up and down sidewalks. he holds on to the wheel loosely as the cold numbs his fingers. "gotta fix the damn heater soon" he thinks. "maybe next paycheck" the ford crawls into a driveway and the fan belt lets out a yell as he lurches up the drive. he pulls into a stall and it shudders again as he kills the ignition. he gets out and closes the door which rattles the window as he lets it slam. he pulls the coat up around his neck and walks up to the front of the cafe. as he opens the front door he can feel the swirl of cold air rushing past him seeking to mingle with the warm inside. he lets the door swing and shuffles up to the counter. the fresh coffee fills his cold nostrils and he hears the sizzle of sausage from the grill. the walls are decorated with paper pumpkins and turkeys and cornucopia displays of paper corn and vegetables. all around him are great swaths of brown and orange. he sits down and folds his hands on the counter. the waitress is young and pretty in a plain way. she looks tired, but it is a tired that makes her more attractive. the name on her badge reads "judy". she smiles as she turns over the cup in front of him and pours the coffee. "usual?" "uh, yeah...no. i mean, isn't it thanksgiving today?" "hmm? oh, yeah. i guess it is. i work the overnights so much i forget sometimes when one day ends and the other begins. you want somethin' different?" "i, uh...well, if there's..." "we're not servin' the special till later. but i think the chef's got some sliced turkey in the frig. i could heat up some if you like. maybe find some sides to go with it. would you like that?" "yeah, that'd be real nice." she turns to go, putting the pencil back behind her ear and he turns to look around. gus is over in the corner booth working out the shakes over warm coffee till the bar across the street opens. doris and ben have a big stuffed dog on the table and she's talking to it. and on the waiting bench karl has a newspaper laid over his face as he saws logs. yeah, they're all here alright. judy returns with a steaming plate and lays it down in front of him. "turkey, potatoes, stuffing, green beans and cranberry sauce. and i heated up the gravy too. it's all there. you want anything else?" "thanks judy. uh, i, know you went to a little bit of trouble for me and i really appreciate it. i was just wondering..." "yeah?" "would you mind making up extra plates for all my friends here?" judy gazes out into the restaurant. "them?" "yeah, i'd be real grateful." her face tightens up a bit like she's getting ready for a fight. and then it softens as she looks back at him. "what the hell." she says. "four more specials." "thanks judy. happy thanksgiving." "happy thanksgiving."