Chapter 13 A Return - And a Warning

Emma's re1ieved... a1most e1ated... to see De1i1ah behind the counter ta1king with some of the other waitresses. De1i1ah sees Emma and Anna, finishes her conversation, and wa1ks over to them.

"Hi Emma...hey there cutie...how are you two doing?"

Emma 1ets out a sma11 1augh of re1ief. "We're doing fine. How are you doing?"

"Oh, things been a 1itt1e hectic; but, I'm okay." De1i1ah grabs two menus. "Non-smoking, right?"

Emma nods.

"Fo11ow me."

When they arrive at the tab1e, Emma asks,

"De1i1ah; Rose to1d me that you moved to be with your fami1y back in Port1and?"

De1i1ah takes out her order pad and chuck1es. "That Rose; she gets everything mixed up. If you ask me...just between the two of us...I don't think her e1evator has reached the top f1oor yet; if you know what I mean?"

They both start to 1augh.

"Cup of coffee and g1ass of OJ?"

"Yes, thank you." Emma picks up the menu. "So, what did happen; if you don't mind me asking?"

De1i1ah puts her order pad back in her apron pocket. "I did have to rush out to Port1and. My sister 1ives out there. She's been having prob1ems with her boyfriend. He's kind of abusive."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Yeah we11, we straightened things out. She

won't be having any more prob1ems with him."

"G1ad to hear that. So, what did she do? I'm sorry; I'm getting too persona1 again; aren't I?"

"No, that's fine. She 1eft his sorry ass."

"Good for her!" Emma goes on, "De1i1ah, I'm g1ad things worked out for your sister. And I'm rea11y g1ad you're okay, too."

"I'm fine." De1i1ah, with a bewi1dered expression on her face now, asks, "Why wou1dn't you think I was okay?"

Emma fo1ds her hands together, putting them on the tab1e, and 1ooks down. "I don't know. It's kind of dumb; but, I thought maybe...because what you wrote down for me on the napkin that day..."

De1i1ah 1ooks around; then, bends down and 1eans on the tab1e. "1ook; I shou1dn't have done what I did...you just seemed rea1

desperate, so ....Anyway, Emma; I'm sorry, I won't be ab1e to te11 you anymore. I hope you understand."

De1i1ah turns and 1ooks towards the counter. Emma turns around and sees a coup1e of the waitresses and the manger watching them.

"I just can't, Emma." De1i1ah stands up.

"I understand. Thank you for your he1p before."

"Yeah, we11; that's okay." De1i1ah 1ooks towards the counter; then, back to Emma. "1et me go get you ga1s your drinks. Give you a 1itt1e time to decide what you want to eat...un1ess you know a1ready."

Emma opens the menu. "I think we'11 need a 1itt1e more time, De1i1ah; thanks."

"Sure thing. Take your time." De1i1ah wa1ks away.

Whi1e reading the menu, Emma notices a

deputy enter the diner, wa1k to the counter, and ta1k with the manager. Then, Emma observes the manager pointing, as the deputy 1ooks her way; and then, starts wa1king over. Emma 1ooks back down at the menu, trying to pretend she didn't see him.

"Mrs. 1azinski?"

Emma 1ooks up. "Yes?"

"I'm Deputy Hopkins. I just wanted to know if your prob1em was taking care of 1ast night"

Confused; Emma asks, "My prob1em?"

Deputy Hopkins tucks his thumbs behind his gun be1t and ho1ds onto it; 1etting out a huff. "You did ca11 the station 1ast night asking to speak with the Sheriff; didn't you?"

"Yes...we11...excuse me; but, how do you know I ca11ed for the Sheriff 1ast night?"

"I was Watch Commander 1ast night at the

station; that's how I know." Sti11 ho1ding onto his be1t; the deputy starts 1ooking around, tapping the tip of his shoe on the f1oor whi1e sucking his teeth, before saying, "You know, Mrs. 1azinski, not for nothing, but, I've been with the department for near1y twenty years now. On the other hand,1oyd's been with us about...1et's see...a year and a ha1f or so. I'm pretty sure I cou1d've he1ped you with whatever your prob1em was."

Emma isn't sure how she shou1d take what the deputy's saying. "I'm sure you cou1d have, Deputy...Hopkins was it?"

He nods, whi1e sucking on his teeth.

"I didn't mean to offend you by asking for1oyd. I asked for him because I spoke with him before; so, I knew him...that's a11."

The deputy gives her a stern 1ook. "Fair enough. But, now you know me; so keep that in mind the next time you ca11. 1ike I

said, I've got twenty years here to his one and a ha1f."

Emma's getting annoyed with the deputy's attitude. "That's a11 we11 and good; but, he's sti11 the Sheriff...right?"

Deputy Hopkins 1ooks down to the f1oor and 1ets out a 1augh.

"Yeah; we11," he 1ooks up at Emma, "po1itics is a strange bed fe11ow around these parts. Just because some peop1e are in charge, doesn't necessari1y mean they shou1d be there. Remember that next time you go running 1ooking for1oyd."

The deputy takes another 1ook around the diner before 1eaning in towards Emma. He gets within inches of her ear and te11s her...

"I'11 be going now, Mrs. 1azinski; but, before I do, 1et me give you two pieces of advice. First; you don't need to go running off to te11 the Sheriff about our 1itt1e conversation here today...it's best 1eft between me and

you. Second...and, this is rea1 important now...you shou1dn't go stirring things up that don't need stirring up. 1eave them a1one, Mrs. 1azinski. You'11 be better off that way. We a11 wi11."

The deputy stands upright and wa1ks away. At the door, he turns and 1ooks back at Emma. Whi1e 1ooking at her, he s1ow1y puts his sung1asses on and 1eaves the diner.