The bus doors opened and Billie grabbed her guitar and backpack, stepping down the stairs and into the Arizona heat. It took her breath away at first, being almost a hundred degrees and she wasn't used to it. She looked across the street and saw a diner. "Paula's Cafe." She was starving and thirsty and decided she would splurge and spend some of her money on a good meal. She walked in and sat down at a booth.
"Well hello there. Welcome. What can I get you to drink to start?" A woman asked. She was older, maybe in her fifties, with beautiful grey hair tied up into a loose bun. She had beads and crystals around her neck and smelled of patchouli, and Billie noticed a kindness in her eyes.
"Coffee please. And a large glass of water." Billie said. The woman nodded and walked away. A few moments later, she came back with the coffee and water and asked what Billie would like to order.
"What is good?" Billie asked. She was starving and couldn't decide.
"Our burgers are the best in the county. I may be a bit partial but we get great reviews on them." She said.
"I'm convinced. I'll take a cheeseburger and fries, please." Billie said.
"Sounds great. I will get that right out to you." She said, taking her menu. Billie looked out of the large window she was seated by. There were two men outside chatting and a little boy running around them. They had cowboy hats on and seemed friendly. A woman walked up and picked up the boy and hugged him. Another younger man on a bicycle robe by and waved at them. It was a small town vibe and seemed lovely and laid back.
"Here you go." The waitress said.
"Thank you, that was fast." Billie said and began inhaling the food.
"Been traveling awhile?" The woman asked.
"Yes." Billie said.
"Where ya from?" She asked.
Billie smiled and avoided the question, eating and liking down, not wanting to say much more.
The waitress seemed to pick up on her hesitation.
"None of my business." She said.
"It's ok. I'm just, I am looking for a new start, you know?" Billie said, not wanting to offend her. She was kind and had no idea what Billie was hiding.
"We all deserve that." The waitress said. And when she did that, she turned her arm over so Billie could see her wrist. There was a long scar along the middle of her forearm. Billie looked up at her. They both shared an understanding glance.
"If you're looking for a job, I am hiring. We just had a girl quit yesterday that left for LA after she decided she wanted to be an actress." The woman said, rolling her eyes. "I'm Paula, by the way." She said, extending her hand to shake.
Billie looked around. She saw a vase on the counter by the register with a faux floral arrangement filled with bluebells and lilies.
"I'm Lily. Lily Bell." She said, shaking her hand.
"It's nice to meet you, Lily. Named after my favorite flower. Must be fate." Paula said.
"Must be." Billie said, smiling.
Paula came back to clear her plate after she finished eating and handed her an application.
Billie looked at it and felt panic again. She couldn't give her actual information and had no ID without her real name on it.
"Just fill that out and come back whenever you finish." Paula said.
"Ok." Billie said. "I'm ready for the check."
"On the house." Paula said.
"Oh. Thank you so much." Billie said. "I have to be honest with you. I don't have a drivers license. Or anything. I won't be able to fill this out." She said, handing it back to her.
Paula looked at her for a moment. "Well then, we will have to just get you started making tips only until you can get one." She said. Billie looked up at her, a little shocked. Paula had a past, too. She could tell.
"Really?" Billie asked, feeling tears begin to well i her eyes.
"Yes. We all need to start somewhere, even when we are starting over." Paula said. "And I hope whoever or whatever you are running from, that fucker gets what he deserves." She said with a nod and an understanding look as she took her plate and walked away. "See you tomorrow at ten am, then?" She asked.
"Yes. I'll be here." She said. She looked at Paula had on. Jeans and a collared white shirt. She would have to find a clothing store. And a place to stay for that matter. She got up and walked out and saw a gas station on the corner. She walked to it and grabbed a bottle of water a pack of cigarettes. She had quit years ago but wanted one, badly, for the first time in forever.
"Where is the closest motel?" Billie asked the cashier.
"About a mile from here. On this main road. It's a little place, not the classiest. But it's clean." The older man said. Billie nodded and thanked him. She walked outside and lit her Marlboro red and inhaled. The tobacco filled her lungs and she exhaled. Relief. She felt relief. She picked up her guitar case and headed down the road.