Dine in, get out

The dinner was classic Americana. A greasy spoon on the side of the road. The food was cheap, hot, and in large portions.

Quality was not exactly a high priority.

Kaida had finally managed to stem the flow of tears by liberal application of cheap, scratchy napkins.

Dixie sat on the next stool, and patted Kaida's back. "Y'wanna talk about it?"

Kaida laughs. Technically. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me," Dixie said. "Wait, no, let me guess. Boy trouble? Girl trouble? Both?"

Kaida not-laughs harder.

Even she can hear the faint edge of hysteria in her voice.

Dixie smiled. "There it is. There's the sun. Things are gonna be as right as rain. You'll see. Nightmare's over. Now, where's Tex with that coffee?"

She stood up from the stool, and looked across the counter, at the window in the kitchen door.

Kaida looked up. There was nothing in the big window between cashier and kitchen.

Something moved in the kitchen door window.

Ice ran through Kaida's veins.

No.