Lulu's Cafe: A Novel

by T. I. Lowe

  Leah figured it was time to settle her bill and find a hotel for a night or two. She neatly folded the paper and left it on the table. After paying the young lady at the counter, she made a stop at the restroom. When she came back, she spotted Lulu, with a large basket of potatoes and carrots, sitting at her table. She approached the table to gather her coat and say goodbye.

  “Do you mind keeping me company while I work on this stuff for today’s soup?” Lulu asked as she continued to peel the first potato.

  Leah glanced at the door before easing back down in her chair. “Only if I can help.”

  ****

  This young lady had completely surprised Lulu. She had watched the poor girl all morning and hated to guess at what could have happened to her to cause so much visible damage. She seemed so fragile and tightly bound by grief. Lulu would have never expected the young lady’s willingness to help out.

  “What’s your name, sweetheart?”

  “Leah.”

  “An L name. This is fate.” Lulu smiled as she got up to fetch another knife from the kitchen. She grabbed the onions and garlic for peeling also, trying to prolong Leah’s company. As she sat back down, she noticed the cast that was nearly undetectable under the long sleeve shirt.

  “Can you manage with a broken arm?” she asked as she held up the knife.

  “I’m right handed, and I can use my fingers on my left hand.” Leah raised her left hand and waved the fingers that were peeking from the cast.

  Lulu handed the knife over to a slightly shaky Leah, and both women set out on the task at hand. Lulu observed that Leah worked quickly and sufficiently for someone far from being up to par. She commented on Leah’s neat knife skills and asked if she had much practice. This question only got her a slight shrug, but the action seemed to cause the young woman pain. Lulu chatted about a special singing at her church next week, and discussed how she would try to manage judging a pie contest and make it in time to listen to the singing group. She went over the day’s menu as Leah politely listened and worked in silence. Lulu tried engaging Leah in conversation.

  “I’ve lived here all my life. It’s a great town. How about you? Where are you from?”

  Leah said, “Up north.”

  “So, what brings you down south?”

  “Relocating,” Leah said as she finished up her last potato and reached for the carrots.

  “Where are you relocating to?”

  “Down south,” Leah said with a slight smile.

  Lulu roared with laughter. “Spoken like a true smart-mouth!” She gave up after that. Once they completed prepping the vegetables, Lulu gathered everything up into the basket. “I need to get these in the pot. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  ****

  Leah watched the petite lady disappear into the kitchen. She eased out of the chair and wandered around the dining area to stretch her legs and get a better look at the paintings on the wall. One painting was of a rooster with a burnt orange head, which gradually blended into a rainbow of brightly colored feathers that fanned through to his tail. Another was of a large sunflower with deep golden petals that appeared to be dancing in a breeze. One canvas was decorated in blues and greens that swirled in brilliant patterns. It reminded Leah of ocean waves in an abstract way. Her absolute favorite piece of artwork was the beach sunrise. The glowing oranges and yellows seem to seep from the teal waters and burst into the sky.

  “I need to see that for myself,” she whispered as she studied the breathtaking artwork. After admiring the picture for a while, Leah made her way back into the restroom, splashed some cold water on her face, and rewashed her hands. When she returned to try for another goodbye, a large basket of luscious red apples sat on the table along with two paring knives, two round cutting boards, an apple corer, and a large bowl. She decided to sit back down and wait for further instructions. She glanced at her watch and was surprised that it was only ten-thirty in the morning. Lulu joined her at the table with two glasses of ice water.

  “Would you mind helping me prepare these apples for tartlets?” Lulu handed Leah one of the water glasses and took a long sip from her own.

  “Sure.” Leah took a sip from her glass and thought how energetic Lulu appeared when compared to her own slothful movements.

  “Drinking water can help reduce swelling,” Lulu said matter-of-factly. Without waiting for a response, Lulu dove into apple slicing. “I like to leave the skin on, so just core it and slice it into thin slices,” she said as she demonstrated.

  After they sliced all the apples, Lulu squeezed some fresh lemon juice over the slices and gave them a good toss.

  “I’m trying out a new recipe for vegetable soup today. Would you mind sticking around a little while longer and giving me your opinion on it?” Lulu asked. “Sometimes I don’t know if these locals really like something or they are just trying to appease me.”

  Leah glanced at her watch. She had already been in the café for over three hours. Although she really had no desire to leave the oddly cozy place, she knew she needed to locate a hotel soon.

  Lulu seemed to pick up on her hesitation. She hurried to the counter, where she grabbed two magazines and a freshly-baked pumpkin muffin that her helper had just pulled from the oven. “Here.” Lulu handed Leah the treat along with the magazines. “This will hold you over until the soup is done.”

  Leah accepted the offer and sat back down. After every morsel of the muffin was consumed and she finished her glass of water, Leah opened one of the magazines and began skimming through it. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed another apron-clad young woman come in the café and join the other two ladies in the kitchen.

  The waitress bustled back into the dining area and washed down the tables. She refreshed napkin holders and replaced the breakfast menus with lunch menus. As she placed one on Leah’s table, she introduced herself as Alice and asked if she could get her anything.

  “Do you have a diet Pepsi?”

  “No, ma’am,” Alice said.

  “How about a Diet Coke?”

  “No, ma’am. We don’t serve any type of soda. Lulu said they are bad for you. We serve iced tea, juices, coffee, flavored seltzer waters, and plain water.”

  “Wow. This has to be the first restaurant I have ever been to that doesn’t serve soda.”

  “Yeah. Me too.” Alice laughed. “I make sure to get my soda fix before my shift.”

  “I guess I’ll just take some more water, please.”

  Alice brought back a small pitcher of ice water. She filled Leah’s glass then set the pitcher on the table. “Lulu said to leave it with you.” She smiled politely and then headed back to the counter. She pulled out a small chalkboard and wrote out the day’s special. Harvest Vegetable was declared the soup of the day and Apple Ginger Tartlets were the dessert of the day.

  It was well after eleven, and the tables began to refill quickly. Leah enjoyed the sweet and savory aromas drifting from the kitchen. Her mouth started to water, so she picked up the menu and began to study it. The selection consisted of interesting salads with homemade dressings, turkey burgers, various healthy sandwich choices, and vegetable sides. A side note reminded customers that the menu changed seasonally or whenever Lulu got a wild hair to do so.

  Several minutes later, Alice dropped off a generous bowl of vegetable soup and an apple tartlet.

  “I didn’t order yet,” Leah said as the waitress began to walk away.

  Alice turned back around. “Lulu said to bring you that, on the house. Around here, you do as Lulu says, no questions asked.” She then scooted over to another table to take an older couple’s order.

  Leah glanced around to find a packed house. She waved Alice back over and asked her what day it was.

  “It’s Saturday,” Alice said. She gently patted Leah’s hand before continuing back towards the kitchen.

  That explains why the café is so busy. Wait… Saturday? How long has it been since the accident? Almost two weeks? She couldn’t do
the math. The frustration and unsuccessful attempt at concentration brought on a headache. She dismissed the trivia and studied the bountiful meal before her.

  Just looking at the steaming bowl, filled with every vegetable imaginable, was instantly soothing. After scraping the bowl clean, Leah moved on to the dainty apple tartlet. The thin, crisp apples, combined with an equally thin crust, were quite enjoyable. The subtle hints of cinnamon and ginger didn’t overpower the delicate flavor of the apples. Her only disappointment was when it was all gone.

  With the dishes now empty and the pitcher of water completely drained, Leah sat back and marveled at how well she had eaten. She had no doubt she was well over the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables for the day. Ignoring what the waitress said about being on the house, Leah paid and left a hefty tip. She was gathering her belongings when Lulu strolled out of the kitchen with two cups of freshly brewed coffee.

  “Will you keep me company for a while longer?” Lulu asked as she sat at Leah’s table.

  “I really should go, but one cup of coffee does sound good.” Leah accepted the coffee, thinking it would perk her up some before searching for a hotel.

  The two ladies sat chatting about the beautiful paintings, the unique menu, and the breathtaking view of the park and river from the café. Before Leah realized it, her watch indicated it was approaching two in the afternoon.

  She absent-mindedly picked at the itchy stitches in her lip while trying to figure out how to get away from the sweet lady.

  “Those look like they are about overdue to be removed,” Lulu said.

  “I think so too. I haven’t figured out what to do with them yet.” Leah stared down at the empty coffee cup. “Could you direct me to a hotel? I’ve been up for over twenty-four hours…I think…and I honestly need to take some pain medicine.”

  “Can you hold out for a few more minutes?”

  Leah nodded and wondered what the woman was up to.

  “I think I have a perfect place for you to stay.”

  “Okay. As long as it’s near, I guess I can hold out a little longer,” Leah said.

  “It’s in walking distance. Trust me.” Lulu patted her new friend’s arm before heading back to the counter.

  Leah tried to stretch her sore back, causing her left side to pinch in sharp pain. She was contemplating taking some pain medicine when she noticed a tall, blond-haired guy stroll through the door and head straight to the counter. In a flash, a short brunette came up on his heels. They placed their orders, and the tall guy paid. Leah watched as they chatted with the others at the counter.

  Leah gave a quiet snort as she noticed the guy was wearing ratty cargo shorts, T-shirt, and flip-flops. Where she came from, the shorts were put away long before October. She pondered for a minute and was pretty sure it was already November now. Leah thought the warm-skinned woman, looking all fancy in her designer jeans and sequined tank top, resembled an exotic Barbie doll. She looked down at her own attire of a long sleeve black shirt, black stretch pants, and a long, bulky coat. The only color came from the multicolored scarf that she now self-consciously gathered closer around her neck.

  The woman at the counter grabbed her take-out bag and was turning to leave when she caught Leah’s eye. She spun back around to face the tall guy and stretched way up to plant a kiss on his lips. As she did this, his gaze landed on Leah and remained there for the duration of the kiss. Leah was unable to free herself from the snare of his gaze. The beautiful brunette eventually let go of him and sashayed out of the café, leaving the guy in his tracks. He gave Leah a measured look before following the young woman out the door.

  ****

  Ana Marcuso walked into Cuso, her eclectic clothing boutique that was across the alleyway from Lulu’s Café, and held the door for Crowley Mason to follow her. She set her food on the counter and looked up to face Crowley. She had never seen someone’s eyes have such a greenish-blue hue. She drank in his dreamy eyes and ruggedly handsome face, framed by unruly, sandy-blond hair that was several shades lighter at the tips due to sun exposure. She loved that his square jaw was always accented with just enough beard stubble. Crowley’s unpretentious looks and laid back demeanor gave off a beach bum vibe, but he didn’t have Ana fooled. She knew this man before her was hardworking and passionate about life and everything in it. They had grown up together in this small town, and he couldn’t get anything past her. Right in that moment, she could see from the subtle hints on his face that she was in trouble. His mouth was set in a long line and those eyes…

  “Okay, big boy. Those Caribbean eyes are brewing up a bit of a storm,” Ana said, as if she didn’t know why.

  Crowley looked down at the brunette bombshell. She was full of sass, and he couldn’t help but admire her for it. She was a Brazilian beauty with a stubborn backbone, but the voice was all wrong. He knew Ana’s parents had relocated from Brazil while her mom was pregnant with her. Ana was born a Brazilian southern belle, and her twang was proof of it. Crowley and Ana grew up side by side, getting into all types of mischievous trouble along the way.

  His parents passed away when he was only eighteen. Ana had stepped in to help him through that dark time in his life. Without planning it, the two friend’s relationship grew into something more.

  Crowley looked down into those charming golden eyes and knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it had been a huge mistake.

  “Why did you kiss me?” he asked patiently.

  “You did kiss me back,” she said, raising a perfectly plucked eyebrow in defiance.

  “I’m a gentleman. It would have been rude not to. Now answer my question.”

  Crowley’s calm voice made Ana more uncomfortable than if he were shouting at her. She dropped her sweet girly act. “Jenna stopped by and informed me that a strange woman had been hanging around Lulu’s all day. You are the most eligible bachelor around, and I didn’t want some gold-digger messing in your life.” Ana placed her well-manicured hand on her hip. “I was trying to do you a favor, sir.”

  Crowley’s mouth twitched to refrain from laughing. “Ana, strangers pass through this town all the time on their way to the beach. Lulu’s is a famous stop for tourists, you know.”

  “This woman ain’t just passing through, Crowley. She’s been sitting in that café since way early this morning. Why on earth would anyone just sit there that long? It’s just plain weird.” Ana frowned.

  “You didn’t get a good look at that woman, did you?”

  “No, but I guess you did!” Ana said, unable to hide the obvious jealousy.

  Crowley chose to ignore her jab. “She was riddled with nasty bruises and stitched-up cuts. There was a cast on her arm. I’m guessing she is recovering from some awful accident. Wouldn’t you be moving a little slow too?”

  It was evident from Ana’s expression that she felt foolish, and Crowley knew he had made his point. Reluctantly, he still had one more problem to discuss. He placed her in a fierce bear hug and mussed her hair to help ease some of the tension between them. He looked down and gave her a knowing look.

  “Ana, you know I love you,” he said, “as a sister. Your friendship is priceless to me.”

  “I think you’ve explained that already to my stubborn butt about a hundred times. I obviously don’t know how to take a hint.” She leaned her forehead onto his taut abdomen. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.” Full of sass, Ana tried to push the tension away even further. “Besides, I could never be with a man who actually makes me go fishing.” She wrinkled her nose and looked up at him. “Gross!”

  Crowley chuckled with relief. “I see your point. You’re a lucky woman to figure that out before it was too late. You should see the giant catfish I caught this morning. I’m going to have Lulu make a stew out of the monster.”

  “You need to wear sunblock and a hat.” Ana’s eyes lit up in a teasing smile. Those crow’s feet around your eyes are going to get worse.” She pushed away from him and pulled her salad out of the bag.

  C
rowley watched her for a few minutes. He had tried to make a go of the dating relationship and really had wanted it to work, but he couldn’t get past the feeling of dating his sister. He also knew that Ana loved and respected him too much to deny his wishes of remaining good friends. He gave her a light kiss on the cheek and strolled out the door.

  “You know I love you too,” she said as he left.

  He raised his hand up without turning around. “I know.” He made his way over to a bench where the stranger’s vehicle was parked and sat down to enjoy his lunch. As Crowley took the first bite of his chicken club wrap, an elderly man shuffled by.

  “Some weather we having. Here it is November and it still feels like August,” the old man commented.

  Crowley shrugged. “I don’t mind the mid-eighties temperatures. Winter will show up eventually.”

  “True.” The old man let out a low whistle as he admired the Jeep Wagoneer. “Now that’s a nice set of wheels there. Don’t you think?” He nodded his bald head toward the vehicle.

  “I sure do. I could use a set just like them for beach trips,” Crowley said before taking another bite of his wrap.

  “Now that you mention it, I think that would be a perfect beach cruiser.”

  Crowley chuckled at the idea of the old man cruising the beach in anything. “You have a good one,” he said to man, who was already shuffling on his way.

  “You too,” the elderly gentleman said as he crossed the street towards the riverside park.

  Crowley polished off the rest of his wrap and devoured the apple tartlet in about three bites. He had lost track of time earlier while he was fishing and had not eaten all day. Once he was finished, he tossed his trash into a metal bin and slowly walked around the Jeep to give it a good looking over.

  His cell phone had rung nonstop up all morning with calls about a strange woman, who looked like death warmed over, in town. Hearing that she was hanging around Lulu’s had raised a red flag with Crowley. Lulu was considered his longtime guardian, but it was Crowley who felt obligated to take care of her. So, of course, he ended his fishing trip early and came over to check on her.