Matt Vance with hands on hips watched the snow falling under the parking lot lights. The neon OPEN sign next to him hummed.
Without turning he spoke to his waitress. "Tess, you need to get on home. Wind is starting to pick up."
"What about the condiments and the napkin holders?"
"Don't worry about that. And take all the counter tips out of the jar."
"Thanks, Matt. Merry Christmas! Tell Ginny too."
"I will. Merry Christmas to you."
"Don't forget." Tess dumped the tip jar's change into her purse and pulled on her coat. "Good night, Luis! Merry Christmas!"
Luis called back from the kitchen. "Merry Christmas, Tess!"
Tess pulled her coat around her and jogged out to her van. Matt turned off the OPEN sign but left the cafe front lights on. Just in case.
"Boss man, everything's back in the cooler. What do you want me to do with the chili and the stew?"
Matt walked around the counter. "Just let them sit there on low. Did you secure the trash cans?"
"Yes, all tight."
"Okay, Luis. Head on home. Hug the kids and Marie for me."
Luis came out of the kitchen. "Merry Christmas, Boss. How long you staying?"
"I don't know. Might be a truck or two coming by from the east. But with the pass closed, might all just stay where they are."
"Okay." Luis pulled on his coat and wrapped a scarf close around his neck. "Good night, Boss."
As he went out the door, Matt called after him, "Good night."
Matt walked into the kitchen and went over to the stove. He lifted the lid on each pot and stirred them with the ladles next to them on the counter. Next he picked up a rag and looked over the cooking area. Nothing to wipe up. Luis left everything spotless.
In the refrigerator, everything was sealed tight. Matt thought about taking out a couple of eggs to scramble, but decided to wait for a bit.
Just as Matt settled himself on a stool next to the register, he saw two figures just across the road standing shoulder to shoulder, one a bit taller than the other. Reflexively Matt adjusted the revolver under the register.
After a few minutes they crossed the road. Matt could see under the parking lot lights they had blankets over their heads and wrapped around their shoulders.
He stood. The pair stepped into the cafe. They were dusted with snow from legs to chest and the tops of their heads. The smaller figure kept close to the other one, head down.
"Folks. What are you doing out there?"
The taller one, a young man, answered. "Truck broke down."
"Where?"
"At the bridge."
"You walked here?"
"Yes."
"That's five miles."
The young man shrugged. His partner glanced up, a young woman.
"You have someone to call?"
"In Santa Rosa."
"Well, nothing is going to be moving in either direction tonight. You two sit at the counter."
The couple glanced at each other.
"Sit. I've got warm chili and stew."
The man opened his blanket and unbuttoned his coat and took out a small bundle. The bundle moved. A small face looked out.
"We have nothing to pay--"
"Just sit. It will be all right."
The woman took the baby into her arms. She whispered to her partner. He nodded.
"Stew would be good."
"Okay. Maybe a booth would be better. Take one by this wall, will be warmer there. Get yourself settled. I'll put on some coffee. It's going to be a long night."
Lyman 2023
