LITTLE BOY LOST:CHAPTER 3

S

eptember was a difficult month for Joe and the other men working of the derrick. They worked each day from when-you-can until when-you-can't, leaving little time for anything—except work.

Long, hot days in the grueling sun left Joe exhausted—but not too exhausted to try to learn about Martha. It seems he was asking the waitresses at the cafe, and she was doing the same thing, trying to learn about one another.

Martha’s curiosity about the tall, lanky boarder caused her to ask around. Juanita, after cleaning his room, told her that he traveled light and kept a neat room.

At noon, she asked Kathy about him and learned he was friendly and could eat a lot. She would just have to keep her eyes open and try to learn more as the days passed.

Martha gathered enough ingredients, one evening, to make a batch of cookies and waited up for Joe.

“Evening, you’ve been putting in long hours the past three weeks; how about a cookie before going to bed?”

“Don’t mind if I do.” Taking a couple from the plate, he stood, to keep from getting grime on the sofa, and takes a bite.

“How’s the work going?”

“We’re almost finished building the derrick. Mmm this cookie tastes great…did you bake these?”

Martha blushed and gave a faint smile, “Yes; I hope you like them. I’ll wrap up some so you can put them in your lunch for tomorrow.” Maybe it’s true that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

“Sure, that would be great.”

Martha disappeared, returning with a small brown bag of cookies.

“Thanks,” he said as he took the bag from Martha. “Well, it’s getting late; I need to get cleaned up and to bed…morning comes early. Goodnight, Miss Daniels.”

“You can call me Martha. Goodnight, Mr. Clayton.”

“Call me Joe….” He moved up the stairs to his room, and from Martha’s sight. 

She walked to her room to prepare for bed, after putting up the plate of cookies. 

She envisions him standing in the shower all lathered with soap, as she drifts off to a peaceful sleep.

Joe left for the rig, before daybreak, with cookies in hand—without seeing Martha. 

Throughout the day, his thoughts kept returning to Martha, and how he wanted to ask her out. Enough of this being fearful…I’m going to ask her today, he thought.

Joe climbed in the truck after work and headed for the hotel for a bath and a chance to see Martha. He knew she’d be off work and hoped to get a chance to ask her out on a date.

Back in his room, he shed his filthy clothes, leaving a trail from the door to the bathroom. He stepped into the shower; the cool water ran over his head and down his masculine body. Grabbing the bar of soap, he scrubbed his wavy, blond hair then worked on his grimy body. The dust and sweat circled down the drain, making a slurping sound.

Stepping from the shower, he wrapped a freshly-laundered towel around his hips. His damp, blond hair curled at the nape of his neck. He selected a pair of khakis and a white shirt from the antique oak armoire. Shoving his socked feet into his brown shoes, he headed out the door in search of supper—and Martha.

Disappointment spread over Joe’s face as he descended the stairs and stepped foot in the decorated-for-fall-lobby.

He saw a yellow floral arrangement on the desk, and a snagged-tooth jack-o-lantern sitting on an end table. Martha, however, was nowhere in sight. He stepped outside into the cool October evening and walked down the block to grab something to eat.

Entering the bustling café, he didn’t see anyone he recognized. He took a small table to the back of the dining area, and his favorite waitress came to take his order. “Say, Caroline, what’s tonight’s special?”

“Meatloaf,” she said, with a smile. “It comes with buttered potatoes, green peas, and carrot slaw. The dessert for today is homemade coconut cream pie.”

“Mmm sounds great; I’ll have the special and a large glass of iced tea.” Before Caroline walked away, he inquired if the manager of the hotel ever ate at the café.

“Martha? Sure, she comes in occasionally. It’s about this time of day that she comes in for supper.”

As Caroline turned and walked to the kitchen to turn in the order, he noticed the varicose veins in her legs—proof of many hours, if not years, of being on her feet. 

Waitressing had to be a hard job, but there weren’t a lot of jobs for women.

Joe sat alone—tapping his fingers on the table and watching other patrons. He noticed the catsup-drenched-fries couple laughing as they sat at a table over in the corner. He hated eating alone and wondered if he should have gone with his co-workers. They planned to check out the café that served great chili.

His heart skipped a beat at the beautiful sight of Martha as she walked through the café door. Her rose-print dress on a white background accentuated her slender figure, and her smile, friendly. Today must be my lucky day; now is my chance to ask her out.

“Evening,” he said, as he stood and gave her a warm smile, towering over her a good seven inches. “I know this is really bold of me, but would you mind joining me? I hate eating alone, and the other guys are eating elsewhere.” He held his breath, hoping she would join him.

She stood silent, contemplating. She wanted to go out with him, but didn’t want to seem too anxious.

“Come on, I promise to behave,” he said, giving her a wink and an innocent, broad grin.

Martha studied him for a while, deciding. Seconds ticked by. Joe stood quietly under her scrutiny while Martha thought. We are in a public place, and we both had to eat anyway; besides, he seems like a nice person, and I really want to date him.

“Okay,” she said, as Joe pulled out the chair for her to sit down. He pushed her chair up to the table and returned to the seat across from her.

Caroline approached the table ready to take Martha’s order. “I’m glad you came in; it’s been a while since I’ve seen you. What can I get you tonight?”

Before Martha had a chance to reply, Joe said, “Supper is on me tonight—order anything you’d like. I’d like to repay you for directing me to this café. The food is reasonably priced, and their homemade desserts are excellent. Tonight’s dessert is coconut cream pie, my favorite.”

“That’s very nice of you, but I’m sure you could have found this café on your own.” She giggled, exposing her dimples, and then placed her order for the meatloaf special.

“Maybe so, but I’m glad you are here tonight. I’ve wanted to ask you something. I know we hardly know one another, but I’d love for the chance to get to know you better. Are you dating anyone?” His heart nearly stopped beating, fearing the absolute worst.

Lowering her head as if embarrassed, she replied shyly, “No…no one. With having to do so much work on the farm, dating was rare. Since I got this job, I’ve been too busy training for the manager's position.

A sigh of relief passed his lips, and he relaxed a bit. “Uh…would you like to go out with me this Saturday? We could have supper together and then possibly go to the picture show—or to a dance?”

Martha's heart beat rapidly...she smiled, giving him hope that she might say yes—which she did.

Days slowly passed for Joe, before the big weekend and his date with Martha on Saturday. It was supper at the Corner Cafe and then the dance. She really liked Joe and had a great time—even if he stepped on her toes a few times.

After the evening was over and time to return, he parked his car behind the hotel. They stepped out and walked to her door, located around the corner from the hotel lobby's desk. As much as he wanted to kiss her goodnight, he dared not on the first date. He hoped it would come later.

“Good night, Martha,” he was almost certain that she could hear his heart pounding in his chest.

“Good night, Joe; I had a wonderful time.” She unlocked the door and walked inside her room. She leaned against the closed door, a smile on her full lips.

Continued another time...

Vada