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With Every Bite

A Diner Stuck In Time

By Kaos SpinnerPublished 4 years ago 6 min read
4
With Every Bite
Photo by R. Mac Wheeler on Unsplash

He has probably walked by this place a hundred times or more and never stopped in to eat. Today, however, his stomach is beyond hungry and he needs to refuel. The diner is bright, with a black and white checkered floor, red vinyl booths and bar stools, crisp, white tables and countertop and the jukebox is playing a Buddy Holly melody. He feels like he's stepped into a Norman Rockwell painting. The woman behind the counter looks up, a huge smile lights her face as she welcomes the new arrival and invites him to choose his own seat. Feeling chatty, he opts for the counter and Candy, of course, her name is Candy, brings him a menu. Her giant red hair is motionless as she walks, and he notices her fingers nails are the same colour and also match her lipstick.

“Wow, you really got the look to match the job.” He teases and she laughs it off saying something about having to fit the role. She offers coffee and he accepts, taking a moment to admire her perfect era-appropriate makeup and outfit while she pours. There are a few other patrons in the restaurant, a group of young friends in a booth, and a solo businessman at the end of the counter, reading a newspaper. He's impressed to see that everyone is actually well dressed; no baggy jeans here. Even the friends are conservative which is odd for this day and age when no one seems to care how they present themselves anymore. The sloppier the better is how the trends seem to be these days. And not a single cell phone is present either, now that's just flat out bizarre. He puts it out of his mind though, brushing it off as one of those oddities you encounter every so often.

Turning to the menu he sees all the classics: burgers, fries, milkshakes, flavoured colas, but one item stands out on the dessert list; Candy's Cherry Pie - You'll fall in love with every bite! How quaint, he thinks, and orders himself a burger and fries with a vanilla cola.

As he eats a few more random patrons enter and take their seats. Candy seems to be the only waitress working but she manages everyone efficiently and always with a smile. He can see the cook in the back flipping patties and cooking fries, and the infamous cherry pie is presented along with other treats in a rotating display at the end of the counter. The sheen on the red filling glistens in the light, the cherries are plump and juicy, and the pastry crust looks flaky and delicious. He thinks he'll have a slice. Why not? He deserves it after the day he's had, but just as he finishes the last of his cola his cell phone rings. Work again! He doesn't answer but instead decides to pay his bill first and call back on his way. He wasn't supposed to stop but a man has got to eat, and his associate is probably wondering where he is.

“Well, you know I can't let you leave without a slice of pie!” Candy teases as he starts to pull his wallet out.

“I wish I could, Candy, but I'll be back for a slice when I can. It looks like it's going to be the best pie I've ever had! Will you be open later?”

“We're here 24/7, 365 days a year, hon. You come in anytime.”

He pays for his food and leaves the restaurant.

On his way home, he walks past the diner. His evening meeting ran late and again he finds himself hungry and being beckoned by the bright lights. The night is black, beyond dusk, pushing the wee hours of the morning, and the glow of the diner is like a beacon in the dark. He pushes the door open and is again greeted by the warm smile of Candy.

“Do you ever go home?” He jokes.

“This is my home.” Candy chuckles “I own this place and I love the work so I'm always here. Oh, I have help so I can sleep sometimes, but my life is this restaurant and this restaurant is my life. Now, how about that pie?” She says with a wink

“You got it, Candy!” he says and she disappears into the kitchen to get a fresh slice for him. He takes the opportunity to check his phone and answers a message from a 24/7 exporting client.

“Whipped topping?” Candy's back with the cherry pie on a shiny red plate.

“Yes please, dear.” He answers and watches as she piles it on. I love this place, I'm going to make sure I come back here often. I almost feel nostalgic for a time I never experienced before while I'm here. With his fork, he cuts himself off a big bite from the tip of the slice. He can smell the sweet but tart cherries and the warm, buttery pastry. As the first bite hits his tongue the symphony of flavours plays out beautifully.

“Wow.” He takes another bite and Candy chuckles.

“I'm glad you like it.” She watches as he takes the third bite. Halfway done now and his vision seems to blur for a moment. What was that? He looks to his right and notices the man at the end of the counter. He's wearing a business suit and a briefcase is on the floor next to him. Odd. Wasn't he here earlier? Well, the pie is worth coming back for! He notes that the businessman is also eating a slice of the cherry variety while he reads a newspaper. The same one from earlier, perhaps?

He looks up at Candy who seems to have a great interest in how much of the pie he's eaten. Unable to resist, he takes another fulfilling bite and again his focus blurs for just a second. He also begins to notice subtle changes in his clothing. It seems to be dating backwards. The watch on his wrist, once flashy and new, now looks vintage. Like something his grandfather might have worn. The fabric of his own suit is ... retrogressing? Is that the right word? How is this possible? He looks over his shoulder at the booths and sure enough, the group of young friends is still there, eating cherry pie. He looks down at his plate and sees that no matter how many bites he takes, it's not getting any smaller now, save for the first two pieces.

He starts to panic and his breathing increases. The scents waft up to his nose once more and he's helpless to take yet another bite. He looks down and now his shoes, Ferragamo loafers, have turned into antiques. His own five o'clock shadow has now been replaced by baby smooth skin. His hairstyle is now slicked back instead of loose and free. His whimpers as another bite of pie makes it way closer to his mouth. He tries to stand up but his legs don't seem to want to work.

He looks up at Candy.

“Enjoying the pie, dear?” She smirks.

supernatural
4

About the Creator

Kaos Spinner

Budding horror novelist, short story compiler, poet.

Animal lover, tree hugger, dirt eater.

Get your feet in the grass.

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