Between the Lanterns(7)
Samantha looked at the state of August’s work clothes, and tried real hard not to be judgmental, but being poor herself, she recognized the signs.
Before she could say anything, old John chimed in, saying, “I hope you mean Montek’s treat, young man. I don’t want you going even more broke on my account. I’ve had my pie and my coffee. I’m alright.”
“No, of course, I meant Montek’s treat, John,” August lied. “A slip of the tongue is all. I got a lot of Credit from them today for this weird holiday, you see, ma’am.”
August smiled at the gorgeous woman that he somehow felt already madly in love with, and finally learned her name by reading her name tag.
“Sam,” he said sweetly, “would you be so kind as to bring us two plates of meat loaf, two orders of green beans, and four home-made biscuits. After all that is gone, I’m havin’ some chocolate pie. And maybe John will have another?”
John rubbed his calloused, old hands together in anticipation of a feast unlike any he’d had in a long time, and gleefully replied, “I can’t say no to another slice of Cheryl’s chocolate pie! Ooo-wee, meat loaf. REAL meat loaf. Today is my lucky day, y’all.”
August and Samantha both laughed at the sweet old man’s excitement. And for just a small moment in their lives, these three people experienced what it was like in Alabama in the early days; people being kind to one another – people helping one another without any expectation of reciprocation – genuine kindness from strangers.
Today’s modern world was filled with too many instant gratification devices, and social media -driven interactions. No one cared to live like the old days anymore. It just took too long.
Filled with warm feelings of kindness and happiness he hadn’t felt since Granny passed away, August decided to go all in here and add, “Oh, and Miss Sam, could you also please put his first slice of pie on my tab, too. I’ll take care of that. I’ve got plenty of Credit from Montek to cover it, after all.”
Samantha sure liked the sound of that. Now she wouldn’t have to lie to Tara or pay out of her tips for that pie. Today was turning out to be a great day, just like John said.
“You got it, sweets,” she answered. “Coming right up, you two. Y’all get back to your chat.”
After the big meal, the fabulous dessert, and the wonderful conversation, John decided it was probably time to head back home to Columbus. He had work tomorrow, and he couldn’t afford to miss it.
“August,” he said with genuine compassion, “I truly appreciate what you did for me today, son. I know it wasn’t your Credit, but you didn’t have to share it with me and yet you did. In my book, that makes you a damn fine human bein’. It was a right pleasure to meet you and talk with you. I wish you nothin’ but the best of luck for the rest of your life.”
August, touched deeply by John’s gratefulness, fought back the wetness threatening to fill his eyes. It meant the world to him to have helped this kind old man. Particularly with the bond they shared over chocolate pie and The Countdown.
“John, if I could I would have the same lunch with you every day for the rest of my life,” August told him honestly. “You are a gem amongst the dirt, sir. I thank you for lettin’ me sit and chat with you today.”
They shook hands and, exchanged a nod and a smile, and then John left the diner to make his way back to Columbus. August patted his adequately swelled belly, and gave a, “hoo!” of satisfaction.
“I take it you’re full, Mr. August?” Samantha asked, after saying goodbye to John as he left.
The diner had emptied out while the two men had slowly enjoyed their meal. Watching that had made Samantha euphoric; seeing them talk, laugh, and eat all of that wonderful real food bite by lovely bite. August was now the only person left in the whole diner besides Samantha and Tara.
“Yes, Sam, I would have to say that I am,” he said with a sigh. “That was very likely the best meal of my entire life. Thank you so much. I’ll take the bill now, or whenever you’re ready.”
Samantha brought over the Montek.Credit machine to his table and placed it down in front of the handsome, dark-skinned Southern gentleman. Cheryl had once told her that people used to pay with paper money. In fact, Cheryl had held out as long as she could before getting the Montek.Credit machine. It just felt impersonal, she had said. Samantha agreed, but paper money was a thing of days long gone. The only accepted form of currency, on the entire planet, was now Montek.Credit. August pulled out his cellphone and accessed his Credit app.
“A cellphone?” Samantha exclaimed. “What in the world? I haven’t seen one of those since I was a kid! How can you use it? All the cell towers are long gone, I thought!”
August turned a little bit red again. People usually made fun of him for using his cell, but he just outright refused to wear a SmartChip. NO THANK YOU, SIR.
“Well, I’m a bit of a tinkerer,” August muttered, not making eye contact with the beautiful woman, “and I augmented this old phone to work with the Tesla generator, and then tapped it into the Montek.Communication satellites. It’s, uh, not exactly legal.”
He waited for the inevitable reproach that always came with this explanation. But it never came this time.
“That is amazing, sweets!” Samantha said in awe. “I wish I had one of those. I’d take this filthy chip out of me in a heartbeat to have a cell like that.”