Ticket to Fresno

Submitted into Contest #234 in response to: Write a story about someone whose time is running out.... view prompt

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Coming of Age Fiction

TICKET TO FRESNO

"Gad! I hate this place." Kylie, a cute, curly headed teenage girl said, as she flipped sticky plastic menus under the running water in the aged, galvanized sink. It was her second week working at the Route 66 Roadside Cafe. "I hate smelly eggs, and burning grease, and traffic accidents. Most of all, I hate Duggy for dumping me in this do-nothing town She dragged a wet towel across the counter.

"Have to work somewhere." Ginny, the gray-haired waitress said. "Might as well be where you get free meals."

Hester yelled from the kitchen. "Kylie. Don't forget to sweep under the booths before you leave."

Kylie made a face at the cook's back. "She picks at everything I do."

"Don't let her worry you. She's nothing but a hired hand, just like us."

The sound of a motorcycle rattled the windows. "Gad! I hope it's not another cop. They ask too many questions. It isn't my fault Duggy dumped me here. I had to pawn my high school ring just to get enough money for a room. Sure hope there is enough left from my paycheck to go toward a bus ticket."

"Where do you plan to go?"

"Fresno. Got friends in Fresno. Soon as I get enough money, I am heading that way."

"Couldn't you call your family?"

"That's a laugh. After the car accident, they sent me to live with my aunt and uncle. My aunt wanted me to baby sit her brats and my uncle wanted me to be his 'special friend', if you know what I mean."

The door swooshed shut behind a good-looking biker dressed in top grade leathers with a perfectly trimmed beard. Takes money to look that good, Kylie thought.

"Go ahead and get this one Kylie. Should be a good tip."

"Thanks." She smoothed her hair back and moved smoothly up to welcome the biker. "Good afternoon. The special is very good today. What can I get you to drink?"

"Hamburger, fries, iced tea, and a piece of apple pie." He threw his gloves and map on the table.

"Looks awfully cold out there."

"What do you think? I'm wearing heated leathers, and there's still snow on the ground."

Kylie stepped back at his brusque reply. She turned in his order and refilled the salt and pepper shakers. She held up a pepper shaker, looked at it. It did not need to be refilled. It never needed to be refilled. It was just one of those useless chores every waitress did when waiting on orders. How long would she have to do such useless chores until her life became worth living?

"Order up," Hester called.

Kylie smiled and set the hamburger down and put a smile on her face. "Which way are you heading?"

"What's it to you," he asked?

"Nothing. Just trying to make conversation." She grabbed another bottle of Ketchup and walked over to help Ginny.

"Grouchy, isn't he? Probably doesn't tip much either."

"Thought I might get a ride, but why should my luck change now?"

"Hang in there kid. Something will come up."

"Yeah. I've heard that old song before. Every cloud has a silver lining and all that junk. Just what kind of silver lining can you find at your parent's funeral?"

"Couldn't you stay with family?"

"I told you about my aunt and uncle. The rest of the family is worse."

Kylie spent the rest of the week in the old run-down room. Cold showers, cold room, and roaches. She cried herself to sleep every night. At least the weather was getting better. Three nights in a row the temperature was above freezing, and she spent some time outside. She loved the fresh air. She called one of her cousins, Elizabeth, to see if her parents had left any insurance money. Elizabeth laughed. Said it all went to pay bills and there were some papers she needed to sign. "Where are you?"

Kylie said thank you and hung up.

"Did you get a hold of your cousin, last night?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah. She wanted to know where I was. They want me to sign some papers. Probable wants me to sign the house over to them. I won't do it. It can rot before I let them have it."

"Do you have any other family, or friends?"

"My friends are in Fresno."

The two moved around the cafe, getting it ready for the early morning breakfast crowd. Kylie picked up a salt and pepper set and checked the level of contents. "Another day of excitement." She screwed the lids off. "Jeff and Patti asked me to stay with them in California if I helped with the bills and Patti's due soon and needs help.

"Kylie! Didn't I tell you to get those set-ups done," Hester yelled from the kitchen.

What is with her? Nothing makes her happy."

"I don't really know. I heard her talking on the phone the other day. She was crying."

"Well, she doesn't have to take it out on me."

"She takes it out on everyone."

The bell on the door jangled. "Payday. Congratulations, Kylie. Didn't think you would last this long. Most drop-ins don't." Pete, the Italian owner of the cafe handed her an envelope.

"Really? Well, I don't want to stay any longer than I have to." She ripped the pay envelope open and looked at the small amount of cash with dismay. "This barely pays my rent. I'll never get enough to buy a bus ticket out of here."

"Minimum work, minimum pay. Tips are the real paycheck."

"Fat chance getting tips in this town."

"Talk to Hester. She seems to be doing okay. Get a few suggestions from her."

"Hester? She's the cook."

"She works as a waitress at the Steak House, too."

"She's working two jobs?"

"Sure. Got to put in the time if you want the dime." He grinned at her. Keep improving and I will keep you on."

"I'll stay if you stop with those corny lines."

Several more paydays passed, and Kylie was sitting in the back room counting her money when she heard sobbing coming from the lady's room. Knocking softly on the door, she asked, "are you okay?" She heard a rustle and running water.

"I'm fine." Hester opened the door. Her eyes were red, and her face was flushed, and she wouldn't look directly at Kylie. "Got onion juice in my eyes" she headed toward the kitchen.

Kylie followed. "Come on, Hester. You helped me. Maybe I can help you."

"It's just the onions," she said.

"You haven't even started with the onions."

Hester grabbed an onion, held it up and then started to peel. "Oh Kylie. I don't know what to do." She sunk down on a stool, wringing her hands. "He ran out on me."

"Who did?"

"Greg. He said we were going to get married."

"So. Get another boyfriend. There are lots of better guys around than him."

"You don't understand. I am pregnant." Hester was crying out loud now.

"Lots of girls have babies without being married now. What did your family say?"

"They don't know. It's winter and I wear a heavy sweater all the time, but summer is coming, and I won't be able to cover up anymore. I'm running out of time."

"What are you going to do?" Kylie was holding Hester's hands.

"He told me to have an abortion, but that would be against God's will. I found a place that would take me in and find a family for the baby. Everyone would think I was away at college, and no one would know."

"Sounds like a good idea to me. When are you going?"

"I don't have enough money. They said they wouldn't take me in until I paid the whole amount."

"Can you trust them? Are they legit?"

"Yeah," she said in a small voice. "I checked them out. The money must be deposited in the bank. They don't get it until the doctor is paid and the baby has a home."

"Greg won't help?"

"He is gone. He left right after I told him I was pregnant, and I wouldn't have an abortion."

They heard a banging on the front door. "Gad! It is time to open. Go get your face cleaned up."

It was an unusually busy morning and Pete called Ginny in to help with the lunch crowd. Kylie did not get another chance to talk to Hester privately, but she thought about Hester's problem all day. She thought about her own problems, and the puppy she had, and the garden that was just starting to sprout, and the long talks with Pete and his wife, and all her new friends.

At closing time, Kylie touched Hester on the arm. "Hester. You need this more than I do." She placed the envelope holding all the money she had saved for the ticket to Fresno in Hester's hand.

"What?" Hester opened the envelope and saw the money. Her eyes got wider. "I can't take your money. You have been saving for your ticket to Fresno. Everyone knowns that."

"I like it here. This is my home now."

END

January 20, 2024 22:09

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1 comment

21:53 Jan 31, 2024

This is a very well written story with descriptions that make you feel like you’re experiencing what the character is. I love the change in Kaylie’s demeanor at the end of the story! Poor Hester! It leaves me wanting to know more! 🙂

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