Chow Time

Nelly hummed along to her own unique rhythm as she put away her groceries. She looked at the bottle of shampoo that she had decided to pick up at the This ‘n’ That store along with some other toiletries that she thought the girl might be able to use. Unloading the last of the food she gathered the toiletries and headed up the stairs to the women’s bathroom.

“Good heavens!” she exclaimed as the light revealed the disheveled bathroom. Because Alex was her only patron at the moment, she knew who the culprit of the mess was. “I’ll have to have a talk with that girl about how to leave the bathroom. No other guest would dear use it in this sorry state.” Muttering to herself, she retrieved a mop and some rags from a small broom closet located next to the bathroom. After tidying up the place to her satisfaction she placed the shampoo and other items in their proper places.

Thinking that the girl might like some company, Nelly decided to stop by and invite her down into the kitchen for some tea while she prepared the evening meal. Stopping at room 3, Nelly prepared to knock on the door but halted her actions when she heard heartbreaking sobs coming from within. Not wanting to impose on the girl as they had just met, Nelly retreated to the kitchen.

“The poor dear,” she whisperd into the phone while chopping carrots for dinner, “she was crying her eyes out. Just breaks your heart. . . No, no, I’m not going to pry into her business, whatever she wants to discuss is fine with me . . .What’s that, Bertha? I need you to speak up, I’m washing the potatoes. . . Well, I don’t know about her family, I only just spoke to her for a few minutes when she signed in. I’m guessing she’s an orphan, why else would she be down at the docks. . . No! She’s not that kind of a girl. . . A victim to those raids from what I can tell. . .” The conversation went on like this for the duration of Nelly’s prepping and cooking. Ready at last to set the table she hung up the phone and returned to room 3 to let the girl know that dinner was ready.


* * * *


Her body shivering from the cool evening air, Alex awoke to discover that both her hair and her shirt were finally dry. She had just slipped on the shirt and was finishing buttoning it when she heard a gentle knock on the door. Instinctively, she reached for a gun but quickly remembered that she had none. “Yes?” she called out from behind the locked door.

“It’s Nelly, Alex. I was just letting you know that dinner is ready if you want to come on down.”

“Be right there.” Checking her appearance in the mirror, she attempted make sense of her hair. Finally deciding that it was beyond repair, she left her room locking the door.

The wonderful aroma of food greeted Alex as she entered the dining room. She could only hope that the meal would taste as good as it smelled. Nelly placed a plate in front of her containing a huge slab of steak, boiled potatoes, and cooked carrots. Alex couldn’t help but smile at the sight. A tall glass of iced tea was soon placed on the table and the two of them sat at one end of a table meant for twelve.

Alex didn’t hesitate to pick up her fork and knife but stopped short when Nelly cleared her throat. Looking questioningly at the woman Alex placed the utensils back on the table.

Nelly smiled sympathetically and explained. “I know you might not be used to it where you come from, but we pray before our meals in this house.” With that being said she folded her hands in front of her and bowed her head while waiting on the girl to do the same.

Fortunately, Alex was no stranger to religion having been brought up in the Christian faith as a child so she knew what was expected of her. Mimicking the older woman’s jesters, she waited for the prayer to be said and done with so that she could finally eat a decent meal.

“Amen.” Nelly no sooner spoke the words when the tinkling of the bells above the door announced a visitor. “You go right ahead and eat; I’ll take care of this.”

Alex didn’t have to be told twice, she was nearly drooling with anticipation of tasting the food. She had just cut her a nice slice of steak when she heard Nelly raising her voice to somebody in the hall. Alex wanted to ignore it but sensing the tension in the woman’s voice she forced herself to abandon the food to see what was going on. She discreetly stood in the doorway that boarded the hall entrance not wanting to make her presence known just yet.

“Listen, Nelly, I’ve been kind to ya but ya have got to pay up or I won’t be protectin’ ya any longer. Do ya understand?”

“I do Officer Riddle, but I simply don’t have the money to give you. Business has been slow what with all the problems going on at the docks and the murders at the fire station. Who would want to visit our town?”

“I don’t care about the town or why the people ain’t comin’, I just want me money. I smell your cookin’ all the way out on the street; you don’t cook like that just for you. Double your rate and you’ll have more than enough to pay me.”

“I can’t do that. I’ve already quoted my price.” Replied Nelly indignantly.

“You have to.” Barked the officer loud enough to cause the plump woman to jump.

“No, she doesn’t” Alex stepped confidently into the room keeping one hand hid behind her back. She had heard enough to understand what was going on and there was no way she was going to let this kind woman be harassed by a dirty lawman.

“And who be you?” he asked poking his black night stick at her.

“My names none of your concern, but what is my concern is the fine meal that Nelly prepared that is getting cold because of you.” Bringing the hidden hand into view she revealed her steak knife. Tossing the steak knife effortlessly from one hand to the other she asked, “Are you through talking because we’d like to get back to eating?”

The paddy eyed the knife warily, “Now there aint no need for hostilities there, missy. I was just conducting routine police business. . .”

“Sounded to me like you were conducting your business and as long as I’m here, Ms. Nelly won’t be needing to pay you for her protection.”

The officer looked from Alex to Nelly and back again. “This be true, Nelly? You takin’ your protection elsewhere?”

Nelly was still in shock of the whole scene but realizing that a questioned was being directed at her she forced her voice to work. “Yes, I am, Officer Riddle.” She brought herself up tall, regaining her pride, “and as the young lady said, our dinner is getting cold. I f you would be so kind as to leave us now.” Not sure what to do or say next, the dirty cop turned and left with a huff.

The women returned to their dinner but the earlier enthusiasm over the meal had diminished. As predicted the food was now cold and the bitterness of the encounter with the cop left the food without flavor. The two women sat quietly at the table each lost in their own thoughts.

After finishing the meal, Nelly began clearing the table it was then that Alex spoke up about the earlier incident. “Who was that guy and why are you paying him? Doesn’t the law protect you for free?”

“That is Officer Riddle and yes the law is supposed to protect us for free but sometimes a cop just wants more money. By denying the people on his beat protection unless they pay a fee, Officer Riddle has become a very wealthy man. There’s so much violence in this town do to it being a port city, without protection this neighborhood would soon turn into another Red Lantern Ally. Officer Riddle is doing a good job taking care of us as you can see but I just don’t have the money he’s askin’ for.”

Alex stood next to Nelly at the sink ready to rinse and dry the dishes as the older lady washed. She felt so natural being by her side, like she had been doing this for years. “Why keep the place if you’re not making any money at it? Sell it, buy yourself a little house away from here and settle down.”

“Oh, no, dear, I couldn’t do that. This was Fred and mines dream. We bought this place dirt cheap about a year after we got married. Back then we weren’t planning on a bed and breakfast; we were going to fill all those rooms with kids.” Nelly smiled at the thought of her youthful ideas while pacing the last plate over to Alex. “but then the Status War happened.” Nelly wiped her hands on the dish towel and sat down at the small breakfast table that was in the kitchen. “I lost my only children in that war, two boys – looked just like their father. Fred died as well, found his body underneath the rubble of the Stalks building.” Getting back up, Nelly placed a kettle of water on the stove. “Here let’s have a cup of tea and a slice of marmalade cake and I’ll tell you all there is to know about me. Maybe when I’m done, you’ll feel comfortable enough to tell me a little about yourself.”

Alex couldn’t argue with reasoning like that. Drying the last of the dishes, she took a seat at the round table while Nelly served up the cake and tea.