The American Café

by Sara Sue Hoklotubbe

  Lance ignored Sadie again and spoke to his prisoner. “This nice lady is going to ride her horse toward the creek over there,” he said, nodding at Sadie. “When we get there, we're going to cross the creek and walk through the clearing on the other side to a truck. If, before we get there, you decide to tell me who your buddy was that ran from me and what you were doing trespassing on private property, well, then I might entertain the idea of relieving you of those handcuffs. If we make it all the way to the truck, then the handcuffs are yours to keep and you get a free ride to the county jail. It's your call. Let's go, Sadie.”

  Sadie decided this was not the time to ask any more questions. She reined Joe back in the direction they had come and nudged his flanks. She pushed her sleeves higher and repositioned her hat as the trio moved slowly across the steamy field.

  When they reached the banks of the creek the young girl stopped. She looked at Lance and started crying. “I'm sorry. Please don't make me tell. He'll beat me.”

  Reining in, Lance dismounted. “What's your name?”

  “Gertie.”

  “Gertie what?”

  “Just Gertie.”

  “Okay, just Gertie, how old are you?”

  “Eighteen.”

  Sonny approached the girl and sniffed at her leg. As she tried to avoid the dog, she slipped on some loose gravel and fell on her behind. She began to sob.

  Sadie jumped off her horse and rushed to comfort the teenager. “That's enough, Lance.”

  Lance dug in his pocket and fished out a handcuff key. He helped the girl stand up and set her hands free. “Keep talking or these go back on.”

  The girl launched into a tearful explanation. Her boyfriend was growing pot on the other side of the meadow. They had spent the night sleeping in a cave under the cliff where Lance had found her. When they heard the mechanical owls signaling someone approaching, they had hidden in the trees and waited. When Lance arrived, her boyfriend ran.

  “What'd you say his name was?”

  “Lennie.” She wiped her nose on the back of her forearm. “Lennie Campbell. He lives on the Old School Road, about a mile that way.” She pointed east.

  “Where do you live, Gertie?”

  The girl raised her nose in the air. “Anywhere I want to,” she said. “I'm old enough.”

  Lance stared at her. “So in other words, you live with Lennie.”

  Gertie nodded.

  “Where are your folks?”

  She turned her face away. “I don't have any real folks. My mom and dad are dead, and the court said I had to live with white people, chicken farmers.” Her eyes fired at Lance. “I'm not going to be a chicken farmer. Got that?”

  “What do you mean you have to live with white people?” he asked.

  “My parents were in the Guard. Got killed in Iraq. My momma's truck hit a roadside bomb.” She stopped for a moment, dropped her head, and then continued. “My daddy died trying to get to her.” Her eyes riveted through Lance with an iciness that almost melted Sadie's heart.

  “Who are these white people you live with?” asked Sadie.

  The girl looked at Sadie as if she'd forgotten she was there. “Lester and Fannie Mae Anderson. They're my grandparents on my momma's side.” She began to cry. “She was white too, but she wasn't anything like them. She never would've made me work in a chicken house.”

  “What about your other relatives?” Sadie asked. “Your father's side of the family. Where are they?”

  “They live in Anadarko,” she said and then looked at Sadie with sad eyes. “I'm half Kiowa,” she explained. “They came for me, but the judge said I had to live with my white grandparents. They said there was nothing they could do, so they left me here and went back home. As soon as I get a job and make some money I'm going to get my own place. Then I won't have to answer to nobody.”

  “Okay, Gertie,” Lance said. “You lived up to your part of the deal. So will I. You're free to go. But if I were you I would run, not walk, as far away as you can possibly get from your friend Lennie, because he's nothing but trouble for you. You're going to end up in jail, or hurt, or killed. Understand?”

  Gertie nodded.

  Lance got back on Tornado and held his hand toward her. “Climb on. We'll give you a ride to your grandparent's place. I think I know where it is.”

  Gertie backed away, shaking her head. “Please,” she begged. “They don't know about the baby. They'll make me give it up. I promise I won't get in trouble again. I promise I'll get away from Lennie. I promise. I can walk back to his house from here, and then I'll find someplace to go.”

  Lance stared at the girl and then looked at Sadie. “Okay, let's go.”

  “Lance, we can't just leave her here.” Sadie's voice strained.

  “Why not? It's her choice. She said she was eighteen.”

  “Because it's not right.” Sadie shook her head as Gertie disappeared into the nearby trees. “She said she had a baby.”

  “Then she shouldn't be spending the night in a cave with a drug dealer.” Lance urged Tornado across the creek and Sadie followed in silence as Sonny barked and gave chase to a rabbit through the tall weeds. When they reached the truck and dismounted, Sadie led both horses into the trailer. After securing them for the ride home, she climbed into the front seat without saying a word while Lance secured the back of the trailer.

  Sonny arrived soon after, panting wildly. “Come on, Sonny,” she said. “Get in.” The wolf-dog jumped into the bed of the truck and plopped down as Lance slid into the driver's seat.

  “Lance, I cannot believe you left that girl out there by herself.”

  “She'll be all right.”

  “Surely you didn't buy that line about finding someplace else to live.”

  “Probably not.”

  “And she can't be a day over sixteen.”

  “Probably right again. I'll contact someone at the Department of Human Services and she can be their problem. You forget I'm not on the clock today.”

  Sadie glanced at Lance to see if she could read his face.

  “When I get a chance,” he continued, “I'll go by and have a chat with a white chicken farmer about his half-Kiowa granddaughter.”

  “If she's not dead by then.”

  Lance backed the trailer out onto the road and drove toward Eucha.

  “By the way,” said Sadie. “What exactly happened back there? How did you hurt your leg?”

  Lance thought for a moment and then launched into an explanation. “Little Gertie, there, and her boyfriend ambushed me.”

  “Ambushed you?”

  “Gertie hit me in the head with a rock.”

  Sadie's eyebrows shot up.

  “And I fell off my horse.”

  Sadie tried to stifle a laugh.

  “Your dog cornered Gertie,” he said, “and when I got there a copperhead was mad as hell about the whole ruckus. It wanted to fight instead of run, so I obliged and shot its head off.”

  “Oh, no.” Sadie began to laugh.

  “That's the last thing I need today, a blasted snakebite.”

  “Lance, that was a plastic owl,” she teased. “I don't think that counts as an omen of death. Besides, copperheads usually travel in twos, so if they'd really wanted to get you they would have.”

  “Maybe the other one was a smart snake. At any rate, I'd say he's going to have to find a new buddy.” Lance looked at Sadie and grinned. “Your dog didn't understand my lame attempt at Cherokee, and I couldn't get him to shut up until you got there.”

  She smiled, dug in her pocket and pulled out a handkerchief, then slid closer and dabbed at the side of his face. “You're bleeding again.”

  Lance winced. “Stupid kids.”

  “Ambushed, you say?” Sadie wanted to stay mad at him but couldn't. His wall of machismo began to fade when she started giggling. He gave her a dirty look as she held her sides and tried to quell her giggles, to no avail. He eventually gave in and their laughter spilled from the windows of the truck
out into the passing countryside.

  18

  By the time Monday morning arrived, Sadie couldn't figure out where the weekend had gone. As she drove the winding road between Eucha and Liberty, she thought about Lance. She'd truly enjoyed spending the day with him. He was a bit older than she had earlier thought, and a gentleman, unlike most of the men her own age. He kept a proper distance and that was a relief. Deep down, she hoped they would see more of each other.

  Her mind shifted to the café and all the events surrounding Goldie's murder. Emma appeared to be coping well with the loss of her sister, but her strained relationship with her daughter Rosalee seemed to be taking a toll on her. Based on the stories Emma had recounted of Rosalee's past, Sadie assumed it wouldn't be long before Rosalee moved on.

  Sadie parked in front of the café at 5:45 a.m. Some of the regulars waved as they left the café and walked by. She shook her head, got out, and went inside. Red occupied his normal spot, and she could see Emma's movements through the swinging doors that led into the kitchen.

  “Osiyo,” said Red.

  “’Siyo.” Sadie smiled. “It sounds like you're Cherokee today instead of Creek.”

  “Oh, no. Just trying to be neighborly. ’Stonko?” he said, then winked at her. “We don't really say hello in Creek,” he explained. “We say, Is all well with you? ’Stonko?” he repeated.

  Sadie nodded. “Yes, all is well with me. Thanks.” Sadie stored her purse in one of the drawers behind the counter, then walked into the kitchen and found Emma with her hands buried in a gooey flour substance. The aroma of fresh-baked bread filled the air. “My goodness, Emma, you're at it early. It smells heavenly in here.”

  “I hope you don't mind, honey.” Emma transferred floury debris from her fingers to her white apron. “I know this is your place and I don't want you to think I'm trying to take over, but I didn't sleep very well last night and it felt good to get in the kitchen and do something. I found some of Goldie's plum jelly. It will melt in your mouth.”

  “How could I complain about homemade biscuits, Emma?” Sadie found a warm biscuit and slathered it in butter. “Let's sit down and talk about how we want to proceed. I know Goldie ran this place by herself, but frankly, I think it may be a while before I can do that.”

  “Oh, sure, honey. Goldie wasn't that special. Anyone could have done what she did. I know I could have.”

  “I bet you could, too, Emma, and I would love to have your input. I can pay you by the hour or a flat salary.”

  Emma opened the refrigerator and handed her a jar of jelly. In a few short minutes both women were seated at a corner table near the kitchen devouring bacon, eggs, and biscuits, washing it down with hot coffee and scheming about how to run the café. Emma agreed to handle the kitchen while Sadie did everything else, and the deal was struck.

  “You know…” Sadie poured cream and spooned sugar into her coffee. “I can't eat like this every morning or I'll start gaining weight.”

  “You can't work all day on an empty stomach,” said Emma. “Besides that, you could use a little extra meat on your bones.”

  “Oh, yeah? And, what about my cholesterol?”

  Sadie had risen to retrieve the coffeepot when the front door opened and Rosalee walked in. She looked like a different person. She wore white-washed jeans, a varsity tee shirt, and tennis shoes. Her dark roots had disappeared, and her golden hair framed her freshly scrubbed face, complimenting her hazel eyes and freckled cheeks. Her sadness had disappeared, replaced with a beautiful smile.

  “Good morning,” said Sadie. “Come join us for breakfast.”

  “I'll get her something.” Emma took the last bite of a jelly-covered biscuit. “But I'll take some more coffee if you're coming this way with it.”

  Sadie nodded as she picked up another mug and delivered the coffee to their table.

  “Thanks.” Rosalee pulled out an empty chair, dropped her purse on the floor next to it, and sat down. She poured sugar into the hot coffee, stirred, and sipped.

  Sadie returned the empty coffeepot to its burner. When she had filled the strainer and pushed the red button to start another pot brewing, she turned to check on Red. A peculiar look covered his face as he stared at Rosalee.

  “I'll have some more coffee for you in just a minute, Red.”

  “Who is that young woman?” he asked.

  Sadie looked at Rosalee, then back at Red. “She's too young for you, old man. That's Emma's daughter, Rosalee.”

  “Hmmm.” Red nodded. “She looks familiar.”

  “Do you know her?”

  “Probably not.” Red pulled out a five-dollar bill and laid it on the counter. “I've got to go.” He glanced toward Rosalee and Emma once more before leaving.

  Sadie cleaned the counter of dirty dishes and waited on two more groups of customers. When the activity died down, she returned to the table where Rosalee had just dug into a heap of scrambled eggs. Emma sat across from her daughter sipping coffee.

  “It's nice to see you again, Rosalee,” said Sadie. “You're up awfully early this morning.”

  Rosalee took a bite of bacon, then wiped her mouth with her napkin before she spoke. “I'm on my way to Tahlequah to a meeting.”

  “I'd better check on the pies.” Emma abruptly retreated into the kitchen, coffee cup in hand.

  Rosalee continued to eat while her eyes followed her mother. “My AA meeting is at nine o'clock and I want to have plenty of time to find the new place.” She looked at her watch. “I'll be going to Tahlequah on Tuesdays and Fridays. It embarrasses Mother when I talk about Alcoholics Anonymous, but I don't care. Logan proved to me that it's better than the alternative.” She finished off her biscuit. “Let's just say I fell off the wagon for a while. I really need to get back on my program.”

  “Is Logan a friend of yours?”

  “He was. He's dead.” Rosalee hesitated and then continued. “Got killed in a bar fight not too long ago.” Her voice quavered. “I really miss him.”

  “Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your friend, but I'm glad he got you started with AA. I understand it's helped a lot of people. So you've been living in this area for a while? I don't think your mother knew that.”

  “Yeah, I've been hanging around for a while. I used to visit my aunt a lot. You know, she never judged me. She just loved me the way I am. I can't believe she's dead, too. Seems like everyone's running out on me.” A tear spilled off her cheek as she took another drink of coffee. “I'm sorry I arrived unannounced like I did.”

  “No problem,” said Sadie. “Your mother seems glad to have you here.”

  “Not really. I'm sure she's putting on a good front for you, though. Say, I really need a job. Do you need any help here?”

  Sadie raised her eyebrows. “So you're going to be staying in Liberty?”

  “Just ’til I can get back on my feet.”

  Sadie thought for a moment and then tried to explain. “I'm just barely getting started here. And, to be honest, I hadn't planned on hiring a waitress just yet.”

  The front door opened again and Tom Duncan walked in. Sadie excused herself from her conversation with Rosalee and went to greet him. This was the first time she's seen him since the day she closed the deal on the café.

  “Hi, Sadie.” Tom took a seat on one of the stools at the long counter. “This place must be good for you. You look great.”

  Sadie placed a glass of ice water in front of him and smiled. “Sounds to me like you're trying to butter me up for something. What is it, Tom?”

  “Got any cinnamon rolls?”

  “No, but we have biscuits this morning, and I can give you some honey-butter.”

  “Sold. And I'll take a glass of milk.”

  Sadie quickly retrieved three floury biscuits surrounding a scoop of honey-butter. She placed the small green plate in front of him and leaned on the counter waiting to hear the latest gossip from the bank.

  Tom ate and talked with his mouth full. “I know you must be having fun here,
Sadie, but you said if I ever needed any help to let you know.”

  Sadie cocked her head to one side, waiting to hear the rest.

  “My fraternity brother, known him since kindergarten, well, he's getting married this weekend and he's asked me to be his best man. I just have to go, Sadie, but there is no one to cover for me. And if there was, I doubt they would want to drive all the way to Liberty to do so. You already know the system. Everything is the same as it was in Sycamore Springs. You won't have to do anything but show up and be there to make any minor managerial decisions. I promise it will be a piece of cake.” He stopped talking long enough to down his glass of milk.

  Sadie stared at him. “Tom, I hate the banking business. I can't believe you are asking me to do this.”

  “I've already talked to Thelma in the personnel office. She said it would be okay for you to fill in. She has you listed as retired from Mercury Savings, so you are eligible to return to work if you want. It's only Thursday and Friday.”

  “Retired?” Sadie rolled her eyes and looked away. “That's a stretch.” Three men came in and took a seat at the other end of the counter. “I'll think about it,” she said. “Call me later.”

  Tom nodded, dropped several bills next to his plate, and left.

  Sadie poured fresh coffee for the men at the counter, took their orders and delivered them to Emma in the kitchen. Then she returned and sat at the table where Rosalee had just finished eating. “Rosalee, I think we might be able to work something out after all.”

  Rosalee's face glowed. “Really?”

  “Yes, I just realized there's going to be times when I need to be away. You could fill in for me. When are your meetings in Tahlequah?”

  “Tuesday mornings and Friday nights,” she said with a concerned look.

  “Then I will hire you on one condition.”

  “Name it.”

  “No drinking. If you miss one AA meeting while working here, that'll be the end.”

  Rosalee smiled. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “Now the important question. Do you have any restaurant experience?”

  “Some. But I'll be honest. Most of it was in a bar.” The two women looked at each other in silence before Rosalee spoke again. “I give you my word. I'll work hard if you'll give me a chance.”