(xlviii.)

Midge sat at the counter of the dingy diner. She sipped the bitter coffee out of the styrofoam cup.

She leaned back, and looked out the window.

The street was dark.

The was no sign of Lorelei in the bank across the street.

"You okay, honey?"
"Huh?"
"You okay? You waiting for someone?"
"Oh, uh, just a friend."
"Sure. You said you wanted two bowls of stew, to go?"
"Yeah. Please."

She leaned back further, this time almost falling off the stool.

Still no sign of Lorelei.

"God Damnit!"

She leaned forward, sighed, and took her coffee cup in hand. She bit the lip of the cup.

"You sure you're okay, honey?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."

The door swung open. A bell mounted at the top jingled.

"See? That wasn't nearly as painful as you said it would be," Lorelei declared, as she paced across the diner.
"You! You're back!"
"Didn't take nearly as long as I thought."
"But--"
"We should be leaving soon."
"What do you--"
"And, by soon, I mean now."



[chapter xlix.]