Coffee with Ashley

The diner is close, and true to Ashley’s prediction, not busy.

The two of them take a seat, and after a few seconds a familiar, wrinkled face comes around.

“Ashley. Ethan. What can I get you two?” The old lady asks, looking exactly the same as she did the other day.

“Coffee and…” Ashley thinks for a moment. “Panookie?”

The old lady snorts slightly, nodding and turning to Ethan. “Same?”

“Yeah, just hold the panookie.”

“Two spoons then. He’ll want some when he sees it.”

“You got it. Be right back with the coffee.”

As soon as she’s gone, Ethan gives Ashley a small chuckle. “Desert before dinner?”

“I’m a big girl,” Ashley adjusts the napkin dispenser, getting it just so. “I can make my own choices.”

“Ah…” Ethan suddenly wonders if he might have lost a point there.

The old waitress returns with two coffees, setting them down carefully. “So Ethan,” she brushes her hands off on her apron. “I’d have thought to see you with Charlie again, not Ashley.”

“Oh?” Ashley doesn't look up from her coffee, instead ripping open a bag of sugar and pouring it in. “Again?”

Ethan suddenly feels anxious. This might be bad.

The old lady scratches her chin thoughtfully. “Hm, two of them having breakfast was a real throwback. ‘Cept now they were drinking coffee and not milkshakes.”

“Uh-huh,” Ashley glances up at Ethan, her hands opening a second sugar bag. “Well, isn’t that fun? Catching up with an old friend over coffee.” She reaches for a third bag, her eyes on Ethan. “Charlie sure loves her coffee.”

The way she says it makes it VERY clear to Ethan ‘coffee’ here can also mean what ‘coffee’ does everywhere else.

“Yeah, it was real sweet. The panookie will be out soon, I’ll go check it.”

“Take your time,” Ashley smiles at the older woman, watching her walk away. “We’ll need it…”

If Ethan had lost a point before, he might have just lost ten now. Or maybe even a hundred.

“So…” he tries to gauge the situation. “Breakfast with your sister.”

“Oh, I knew about that.” Ashley sips her now very sweetened coffee. “She told me right after it happened.”

“Ah…” If Ethan was standing, he’d have rocked back on his heels, “Then that just then was…?”

“Teasing.” Ashley shrugs, offering a small smile. “Sorry if I’m a bit more subtle than my sister. If you’d prefer I can call you some colorful insult to bridge the gap between us.”

“I’m good.” Ethan chuckles, relaxing. “I’ll stick to normal insults for the time being.”

“Noted.” Ashley sips her coffee again.

They sit in silence for a moment, the sound of approaching footsteps keeping them from striking up a new topic.

“That was quick.” Ashley smiles as the dessert is placed in front of her, with the requested two spoons.

The waitress shakes her head, chuckling. “Donny put it in as soon as you walked in.”

“Hm,” Ashley picks up a spoon, scooping up a bit of cookie and ice cream. “I hate that I’m so predictable.”

The older woman smiles, then tosses a glance to Ethan. “I’m sure you’re still keeping Ethan here on his toes. Enjoy.”

Watching her walk off, Ethan looks at the second spoon.