hungover. She needed bacon. She needed eggs. She needed coffee. She left. Yvette took Georgia to her car last and waited for her so they could go together. Diane left to join Tanis so she didn’t have to sit alone. Georgia and Yvette came in the door at fifteen minutes to eleven. Diane and Tanis were sitting in a half-circle corner booth with red padding. Tanis’ head was on top of her arms. Her arms were on top of the table.
“We already ordered,” said Diane.
“What did you get?” asked Yvette.
“Cheddar cheese omelet,” said Diane, “Coffee and a water.”
“Tan should be drinking water as well,” said Yvette.
“I got one for her,” said Diane.
“What are you having, Tan?” asked Georgia.
“Bacon, eggs, hash brown, coffee,” said Tanis. The coffee came first. A middle-aged waitress set two large white mugs of black coffee on the table with two large waters.
“Can we get two of each?” said Yvette. The waitress nodded without saying anything. Georgia and Yvette slid into the booth to make it a quartet. Yvette threw her arm around Tanis who still had her head down on the table. For a parting meal, the table was strangely silent. They wanted to sit together one last time but the emphasis was on seeing each other. They really didn’t have much to say. Or they did, but it was all classified. They were in an increasingly crowded public space holding back information they couldn’t tell each other in private. It was a situation reserved for government employees only. It left them little decent topics to talk about.
“What happened last night?” asked Yvette.
“Yvette, come on,” said Georgia.
“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” said Yvette, “That doesn’t extend to Hertford, North Carolina.”
“Yeah,” said Tanis, “It’s not gagged. What went down?”
“Diane,” said Georgia, “You don’t have to answer that.”
“But if she doesn’t, she’s no fun,” said Tanis, “Besides, we’re four chicks sitting in a diner booth. If we’re not talking about guys we’ll look suspicious.” Georgia grabbed a card menu from the middle of the table and handed one to Yvette, in an attempt to change the subject.
“Well,” said Diane, “If I don’t say anything, you’ll never know.”
“Exactly,” said Tanis with her head on the table, “Tell us about Bama Boy.”
“I will say,” said Diane, “I will say he’s a Southern Gentleman who’s good with his hands.”
“Ok,” said Tanis, “And what’s more?” Diane smiled and took a sip of coffee.
“Use your imagination,” said Diane, “It’s your best weapon when you’re out there.”
“Yeah but we’re not out there yet,” said Tanis. Diane laughed. Her laugh was always welcome.
“I’m going with a waffle and a milkshake,” said Georgia, changing the subject. Tanis brought her head up from her arms.
“You know something, Gigi,” said Tanis.
“What?” said Georgia.
“Just now with my head down I noticed your accent,” said Tanis, “It’s not really Waspy south and you’re from Virginia.”
“What do I sound like?” asked Georgia.
“You