Free Drama Dolls: A Novel: [Dark, Suspenseful, Fast-paced, Exhilarating] by Jason Tanamor Page B

DINER’S front was a large window. Through it, William could be seen drinking coffee. He sat alone, an empty spot in front of him. A spot set with a napkin, fork and spoon, and upside down coffee cup.
    He checked his watch and then looked at Jeffrey through the glare as he entered the establishment. Around the diner, patrons ate eggs, bacon, and toast. Drinking orange juice while engaging in conversation. There were chicken fried steaks on hot plates. Hash browns with shredded cheese burnt on top. Some customers had hot coffee in mugs. Families, they got together for a morning tradition.
    Mounted on brackets were flat screen televisions. Broadcasting throughout the breakfast joint was the local newscast. A news anchor threw the newscast over to the weatherman, who was standing in front of the map of the local area.
    He was telling the viewers that the next several days would be dry and sunny. “So, if you’re thinking about heading to the pool, the entire week looks perfect,” the meteorologist said. “Later on, I’ll have your seven day forecast.”
    A waitress working a section with no empty tables, she carried breakfast dishes on her serving tray. She dropped the meals to various customers, receiving smiles as her tray lightened with each step. Meandering toward William and Jeffrey’s area, she flipped her tiny notepad for a clear space.
    Rushed, sitting opposite of William, Jeffrey quickly flipped over his coffee cup. The server asked the new diner what he wanted to drink. “Coffee,” Jeffrey said. “I definitely need coffee.” She nodded without looking at him. Getting situated, sinking into the booth’s cushion, Jeffrey made himself comfortable.
    William eyed his counterpart with a curious expression. His eyebrows lowered. Taking a quick look around the diner to make sure no one was staring, William’s attention returned to Jeffrey.
    A thick coat of Russian Red lip gloss was splattered across Jeffrey’s lips. Pale pink blush over a warm foundation that hid his imperfections, it was evenly spread across Jeffrey’s cheeks. His hair combed back behind his ears, you could see the outline of foundation around Jeffrey’s hair line.
    “Sorry I’m late,” he said.
    Sipping his cup, avoiding Jeffrey’s gaze, William stared in his direction. He stared through his friend. Jeffrey’s expression was blank. “You look like shit,” William said. “You OK?”
    When the news program returned from commercial, the anchor teased a story about a breakin. Jeffrey slapped William’s hand and then listened in on the newscast. His neck turned sharply to the television, but soon after, Jeffrey’s head returned to William to reduce the invisible stares on the burglars.
    Irritated with the slap, William returned the favor, lightly tapping the top of Jeffrey’s knuckles.
    Enlarging his eyes, inconspicuously motioning to the television with his neck, Jeffrey whispered, “Listen.”
    The anchor was saying how a late night breakin resulted in many valuables being stolen from a local house. The owner of the house, Melissa Pierce, said that most of the items taken were valuables from her grandmother. “I can’t believe someone would steal this stuff,” she said into the camera. Framed in the left center of the screen, she said, “These items mean nothing to them but a great deal to my family.” She began to cry and then the camera cut back to the anchor in the studio.
    Approaching the pair of Dolls with a carafe in one hand, the waitress, her lips curled to hold in a smile, cheeks with half dimples, poured the hot drink into Jeffrey’s cup. A trembling hand, the coffee an unsteady stream, the server nearly overfilled the mug.
    “Are you going to eat?” she said to Jeffrey. Her voice high and melodic, she was holding in a laugh. Her customer waving her off, the server moved on. Hitting her thigh against the table, she excused herself, slowly receding into the kitchen. A din of faint laughter erupted in the