“I have room twelve available. But it won’t be ready until one.”
“I’ll take it.” She fished in her purse for a credit card and slid it across the desk to him.
“In the meantime, can you point me in the direction of a laundromat?”
“Sure. If you take a right off this street you’ll see Clean As A Whistle Laundromat at the end of the block.” He typed the information from her credit card into a dated looking computer.
“Thanks.” She glanced around the wood-paneled room. There was a small kitchenette set up along the wall with some pastries and what looked like a pot of hot oatmeal.
Her stomach growled reminding her she needed to get something to eat soon.
“How long were you planning to stay?” He looked up at her.
“I’m not sure.” She froze. All her life she’d let Chris make the big decisions when it came to fixing things around the house. How long would it take for someone to fix the leak in the roof? A week? A month? Longer?
“I should warn you, I only have two nights available right now. We have a group for a class reunion and they have rented a large block of rooms for a week.”
She sighed. “Then I’ll take the two nights.”
He nodded and slid a room key across the counter to her. “The room should be ready at one. Maybe a little sooner.”
“No rush. I’m headed to get breakfast and then do some shopping.” She frowned. “I didn’t see a large retail store when I drove in. Is there a Target or Walmart close by?”
“We have Harry’s Marketplace out by the highway. But if you are looking for some antiquing check out Maggie’s Treasures. It’s on the same street as the laundromat. You can’t miss it.”
“Thank you.” She stuck her key and credit card back in her purse.
Walking outside she noticed how bright the sky looked. That was good news for her roof. At least it wouldn’t get any wetter in her house.
She climbed back in her car and headed in the direction of the laundromat. She spotted a small café on the same block.
Her need for sustenance won out over the need for clean clothes.
She pulled into an empty parking spot in front. She noticed the small restaurant was almost full of patrons.
That was a good sign.
She opened the door and a bell tinkled overhead. A few of the customers sitting at the counter turned to see who it was.
A passing waitress smiled. “Just sit anywhere, honey. I’ll be with you in a minute.”
Carolina nodded and found an empty spot at the end of the counter.
Another waitress placed a cup in front of her and filled it with coffee. She was older and wore a smile like most wore jewelry. Her general demeanor made her sparkle.
“Special today is two eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast for five ninety-nine.”
Carolina’s stomach rumbled. “I’ll take it.” She doctored her coffee with cream and sugar while the waitress wrote her order down and then gave it to the cook through a tiny window leading into the kitchen.
The hum of voices seemed to soothe her frazzled mind as she drank her coffee in silence. For so many weeks during the divorce proceedings she had practically hidden out in her home, not wanting to go to the grocery store or be spotted out.
She was too humiliated.
Now in a strange place she liked the fact that she could blend in, if for just a moment and enjoy a meal in silence without the looks of pity or in some cases, scorn.
“Anything else to drink with your meal, hon?” The waitress was back refilling her coffee. The name tag said Getty.
“No thank you, Getty.” She smiled.
