|
Post by Abby Foster on May 1, 2010 16:43:12 GMT -5
There was a quiet lull in the rush of customer’s that afternoon at Duke’s Café. The warm sunlight spilled through the newly cleaned windows to play along the surfaces of the tables, highlighting their greasy smears. Abby took the opportunity offered by the sudden respite to leave her position behind the counter and begin wiping down the tables with the rag she kept tucked in her apron pocket. She stacked the few dirty plates and carried them into the kitchen, smiling shyly at Gary the dishwasher who winked in return.
Abby wandered back into the lobby, slumping down in one of the chairs and propping her chin on her hand. She turned her hazel eyes out the window, watching the groups of people who meandered out on the streets in t-shirts and shorts. There were children with sticky hands and faces from the ice cream freshly bought from her workplace, lovers walking hand in hand, and she spotted an elderly couple sitting across the street sharing a cool drink. Abby smiled to herself as she watched them, her hazel eyes turning dreamily to the blue sky. She breathed in deeply, feeling at ease with the world about her, affected by the enjoyment of the people in the street. A part of her wished to join them, cast off her apron and stroll amongst them to share in their laughter, but a larger part of her was glad to simply sit on the sidelines and be a spectator. Perhaps when Rome was out of Fox River they would walk together, and she would show him her favourite park, the dance store she loved, her route to work.
Abby’s became lost to her daydream and failed to notice the approaching customer, or hear the creak of the door opening.[
[TAG: Maricruz ]
|
|
|
Post by Maricruz Delgado on May 1, 2010 21:35:28 GMT -5
Maricruz wasn't ready to go back to Manhattan yet. She had come by herself by bus back up to Chicago and was thinking of staying with some of her family for a couple days before heading back to work. It was hard being so far away from Fernando. Even though as she walked the streets now she wasn't at his side, she still felt closer to him than when she was cities, and even states away. She started to walk past a diner and looked over, remembering a couple of mornings Fernando had taken her here for breakfast. She hadn't been here in years, or really even given much thought to the place, but now seeing it made her smile at the unexpected memory.
Her stomach started to rumble as if provoked to hunger by the sight of the restaurant. Deciding to go in and get something to eat she opened up the door, hearing the soft ringing of a bell above the door as it opened. She looked around for a moment seeing a woman in an apron (who she assumed worked here) staring out through the window. She gave a light smile "Hi, " She greeted about to ask for a table for 1, but as she looked at the woman she noticed just how familiar she looked. Maricruz was almost certain she had seen her before somewhere. She looked at her curiously for a moment trying to place her.
|
|
|
Post by Abby Foster on May 2, 2010 22:45:36 GMT -5
“Hi,” The gentle greeting startled Abby from her reverie and she jumped, half rising from her seat to stare at the woman with wide eyes. She calmed her racing nerves and even managed to plaster a nervous, welcoming smile on her face before it slowly fell away. Abby had a knack for remembering faces; it came from remaining vigilant for danger in Fox River, a past time that had become a daily habit. Her hazel eyes darted over the woman’s pretty features, recognizing her enviable figure and the dimples that accompanied her pleasant smile. Abby had seen this woman before, of that she was positive; she’d memorized each and every face in that visitation room if only out of habit and boredom. Five years in Fox River, a year and a half regretfully spent as Mama’s bitch, had etched this habit into Abby – always be aware, never be caught off guard, know every face and every escape route.
Abby swallowed, her throat working against her suddenly dry throat. She rose fully from her seat, her hands knotting together behind her back to hide their shaking. “Hi,” she replied softly, her lips flickering into a weak smile. She couldn’t fully explain her sudden case of nerves, but she felt startled and caught unawares. Two entirely separate worlds were suddenly colliding together; her own dull working life and the reminder of the prison. When Abby went to visit Rome, when she went back to that cold, terrifying place, it was through her own choice and the love for her friend that pulled her forward. She had never considered for a moment that those memories might seek her out in her own little corner.
“Sorry, um you-you can just grab which ever table. Would you like to see a menu?” Abby gave herself a mental shake, forcing her eyes up from the floor to hold the woman’s gaze. She was overreacting; this woman was a visitor to Fox River just like herself. There was no reason to be surprised or worried; this was just another situation that she would have to adapt to. That being said, she still wasn’t going to say anything unless the woman did.
|
|
|
Post by Maricruz Delgado on May 8, 2010 23:08:16 GMT -5
Maricruz could have sworn that she had seen a sign of recognition on the other woman's face as well, but she didn't say anything, only politely greeted her with a smile before giving what she was sure was a routine answer to a customer. But then again the woman seemed almost nervous, something that Maricruz couldn't quite understand even if they had known each other before. She wasn't the type of girl who had ever really been mean to anyone in high school, so she was sure it wasn't anything like that which could have made the girl uneasy to see her.
She looked at her a moment longer before realizing the woman had asked her a question. "Oh, sorry...yes, a menu would be great" She said, not remembering what all they had here when she used to come with Fernando. She moved over to one of the booths by the window. As she thought of Fernando, she couldn't help but picture this woman in Fox River, but could that really be where she knew her from? Or was her mind just making random associations.
"I'm sorry if I was staring" She said taking the menu from the waitress when she brought it back over. "You just look really familiar...have we met before? " She asked her, hoping she wouldn't seem too rude asking that.
|
|
|
Post by Abby Foster on May 14, 2010 18:49:57 GMT -5
Abby nodded as the woman accepted her offer, hurrying to the counter to grab one of the glossy menus. She returned to the table and handed it over with a forced smile. Abby planned on backing away quickly to allow the woman to make her decision in peace – she even succeeded in taking a few retreating steps before the woman spoke up.
Abby linked her hands behind her back as she shrugged off the apology, but the relaxed demeanor she thought to cloak herself in melted away with the next question. Because there it was, a direct request for conformation – had they met before? Not directly no, but they had inhabited the same room, been escorted by the same corrections officer, likely experienced the same emotions of hope, care and fear for the person they visited. Abby could remember admiring Maricruz’s fashionable clothes, her style, her beauty, all from the corner of her eye. She could remember fingering her own plain cotton t-shirts with distaste; eyeing her mousy brown hair and comparing it to Maricruz’s lustrous curls. Abby had felt herself small and very plain in the company of such an attractive woman – what woman didn’t look at others and wish that she herself had prettier curves, or shiny hair?– that is until she entered the visitation room to find Rome looking only for her, and her worries melted away.
When faced with the direct question Abby knotted her fingers nervously together, her hazel eyes darting away momentarily. In truth she felt that she and all the others visitors were connected in some bizarre way. That although they never spoke to one another there was a commonality that called for their presence in Fox River; there was a shared essence that they all gathered their strength from before they went through those doors to see their friends, lovers, family members bound in chains. Abby had never encountered another of the visitors outside of Fox River, and so she had never had to verbally acknowledge the idea of such a bond – though it existed in her mind.
“Um,” Abby stalled, unsure of whether the woman really wanted to have the topic of Fox River brought up. For herself, Abby knew it was a painful one; she had no idea how Maricruz might feel about a near complete stranger knowing about her weekend visits.
“Well, I…usually go to Fox River a few days during the week and…and on Saturdays.” Abby’s hazel eyes hesitantly flickered up to meet Maricruz’s gaze. She twisted her hands nervously behind her back, attempting to gauge the woman’s response before it was delivered.
|
|
|
Post by Maricruz Delgado on May 26, 2010 11:24:19 GMT -5
Maricruz could see the uncomfortable look pass over the woman's face as she asked her if they'd met before. She immediately regretted asking it, seeing that it wasn't a question that that the other girl seemed very comfortable with. She didn't want to make her feel that way. Maricruz tried to think of where they might have met. Had they gone to high school together? Maybe she had done or said something to hurt this girl in the past. She knew if she had it would have been unintentional. Maricruz had never been the type to bully anyone.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked..." She said quietly seeing the nerves on the other girl's face and wondering what had prompted it, but knowing she was pretty much a stranger and had no right to intrude into such thoughts. It wasn't a moment later that she got confirmation from this woman that they had probably seen each other before, as they both did go to Fox River. Her face reddened slightly with embarrassment, knowing this was probably why the woman seemed uncomfortable. She probably didn't want to admit to associating with a convict. But it was something they had in common, there was no way that Maricruz could look down on her for something she did as well.
"Oh..." She said, before giving a light smile to the girl. "That must be where I've seen you...I try to get there whenever I can"
|
|
|
Post by Abby Foster on Jun 6, 2010 0:06:42 GMT -5
Abby shook her head quickly as Maricruz began to apologize, her pony tail swooping and bobbing with the motion. “No, no…it’s okay, really.” She offered up a weak smile in return, glancing down at the note pad in her hand for no particular reason other than it give her somewhere to look.
Abby glanced back up in time to see the embarrassment leave her cheeks as she smiled lightly. The small girl returned the gesture of kindness with a gentle nod of her head, the corners of her mouth flickering briefly into an understanding smile. Of course, she more than anyone else would know what Maricruz was going through every time she went to visit at Fox River, and the rush of emotions felt every time she left.
“Me to,” Abby replied softly, and there was a flicker of empathy in her large hazel eyes. It wasn’t pitying or condescending, but a mere acknowledgement of their similar situation and the combined joy and hardships it brought.
“I-I’m sorry, I should let you decide what you want to eat.” Abby took a few steps backwards, her mousey features showing a degree of nervousness as she felt unsure how to react in this particular social situation. “Just…let me know when you’re ready?” Her eyes flickered briefly to the clock as she took another few steps to the counter, and she wondered momentarily when she would be allowed her lunch break.
|
|
|
Post by Maricruz Delgado on Jun 23, 2010 22:42:12 GMT -5
Maricruz smiled lightly as she heard the other girl say it was okay. She definitely seemed nice. A lot of women these days werent and also weren't afraid at all to let you know if they were ticked off even the slightest amount. Mari always tried to please people, her family and friends. It made her happy to see those around her happy.
Maricruz smiled again as the other girl acknowledged that she too tried to get there whenever she could. "That can be hard sometimes, huh?" She said lightly, knowing the difficulties that arose. There was getting the willpower to walk into a prison, and make yourself see someone incarcerated there, but then there was also the physical arrangements needed to get there, whether transportation or getting off from work, or making excuses to those around you of why you had to go when they thought you should leave him behind. She was sure the girl understood, even if Maricruz didnt understand the situation.
"That's okay" She replied as the girl apologized for keeping her from deciding on her food, and gave a light nod as she said to let her know when she was ready. Maricruz looked down at the menu, reading over a few items, but her thoughts weren't on food at all anymore, they were purely on Fernando. Still she knew she should eat something. "Miss?" She said softly after a few minutes, getting her attention. " I think I'll get the french toast, with strawberries on it...and some coffee"
|
|
|
Post by Abby Foster on Jun 30, 2010 23:24:34 GMT -5
Like Maricruz, Abby was a people-pleaser though her stint in Fox River had stretched that generous quality to an abusive and grotesque ends. Now the small girl rarely trusted others, rarely reached out of her bubble to communicate with a person let alone help them. Her job was the only exception of this fact, and then she only did it because Roberta, the owner of Duke’s Café, asked it of her. Roberta was a gruff, no-nonsense kind of woman, but kindly in her own way and hiring Abby when no one else would had been the first step to gaining the timid young woman’s trust.
Abby considered herself very lucky when it came to her job. Duke’s was perfect, quiet, out of the way and with enough regular customers that Abby didn’t feel herself being bombarded by complete strangers. Best of all Roberta seemed to have an unspoken understanding of her young waitresses’ troubles and had helpfully placed her behind the bar where she could make coffees and for the most part not have to speak to the customers as often as a cashier did. Roberta had also had a few citizens on parole pass through her Café – her son being one of them – and Abby no longer had trouble getting shifts off when she needed to go visit her guy.
The young woman looked up from wiping the counter as she heard the other woman beckon her over. She made her way over to the table, pulling a small pad and pen from her apron pocket as she went. Scribbling down the woman’s order, Abby looked up with a small smile. “I’ll get that right for you.” She took the menu and went to the back, dropping her order off with the cook, Phil, and hurrying to get the coffee.
Carrying the mug in one hand and a small jug of cream in the other, Abby made her way back to the woman’s table, setting down her lot carefully. “Your french toast’ll be right up in a few, and your sugars just to the side there.” Abby pointed out the multicoloured sachets of sugar that sat perkily in their tray on the side of the table. “Can I get you anything else?”
Just as Abby finished speaking Roberta appeared at the counter, her frizzy curls escaping from her bun to fly about her stern face. “Abby, you’ve got a break coming up. Might as well take it now and if it stays dead you can help me sort the files.”
Abby half turned to catch Roberta’s words, but the older woman had already disappeared back into the kitchen. The small woman bit back a sigh of relief. She had worried all day that Roberta might tell her to go home early, seeing as how business was so slow. But bill due dates were looming ever closer and on minimum wage Abby could use all the cash she could get her hands on. Roberta’s offer to organize files was basically an offer of money – no files could be in more pristine order than those at Duke Café’s, yet if Abby could at least take them from the cabinet and dust and clean that old hunk of junk, then she’d have, in some small way, earned her pay. That was enough. She had learnt in Fox River that nothing was free, it was a hard learnt lesson and one that she would never forget.
|
|
|
Post by Maricruz Delgado on Aug 6, 2010 23:48:29 GMT -5
Maricruz hoped that she hadn't managed to upset her waitress by bringing up Fox RIver prison, but as she sat there, missing Fernando, she actually felt a little comforted by the fact that this woman was missing someone from there too. It made her feel a bit less like an outsider and a "freak" for being the girl that goes to visit a guy in jail. She didnt think it made him a bad guy...in fact she knew Fernando was the sweetest man she'd met, but he'd made a mistake. She could hear it in his voice that he was trying to be good so he could get out quicker. She just worried about his safety and if she could wait as long as it would take him.
Maricruz smiled again at the woman as she brought her the coffee and shook her head as she asked if there would be anything else before the food was finished. She looked over as she heard the other woman tell her waitress, Abby, that she'd be having a break soon. She hoped she wasn't just making things worse, but instead hoped her gesture would be accepted if the girl would feel better doing so.
"Abby...I know probably the last thing you'd want to do is deal with customers any longer than you have to...but if you just want someone to talk to, or take a breather from work...you're welcome to join me. I mean..you wouldn't be interuppting or anything" She said, trying not to sound pressuring but open in case the girl did need or want some company. "My name's Maricruz"
|
|