A Moment in Time Read Online Free PDF

Marty’s idea to use whale oil on the scar had helped in a most remarkable way.
    Touching her fingers to the line that ran from just below her earlobe to her chin, Alice couldn’t help but relive the horrible moment. Memories of the night her attacker cut herflooded her mind. She could almost smell his putrid breath and the stench of cigarettes.
    “Place is filling up, Miss Chesterfield. Best get out there,” Bellows said as he passed her on his way to the storeroom.
    “Yes, sir.” Alice pulled on a pinafore-style apron and tied it securely. She was grateful the man had been willing to take a chance on her, and she didn’t want to let him down.
    In the dining room the counter was already full. Some of the men had been waited on by Mr. Bellows and were happily focused on their meals, but others were waiting for attention.
    She smiled and approached the counter. “Who’s first?”
    “Me,” a burly man in oily denim announced. “I’ll take the beef sandwich special—three of ’em.” He drew out a large handkerchief from his pocket. Wiping his face, he quickly added, “Cup of coffee, too.”
    “Sure thing,” Alice said.
    “I’m next,” a skinny but equally dirty man said, motioning Alice to the far end of the counter. “Give me a bowl of gravy and biscuits, a ham steak, and a glass of milk.”
    Alice jotted down the order and hurried to the next man. She took five orders in all before turning them over to the cook. By this time even more men had crowded into the small diner. It looked to be a very busy day.
    Without regard for her aching back or sore feet, Alice maneuvered amidst the hungry men, dealing out menus and coffee like a gambler might deal cards. She smiled and for a time forgot about her scarred face. The men were hungry and didn’t seem to care all that much that she was damaged. They were mainly interested in filling their empty bellies and getting back to work before the lunch whistle blew. No one wanted to risk losing a job in this economy.
    “Order for four more beef sandwiches,” she announced, putting two tickets on the cook’s counter.
    The man glared at her. He wasn’t at all the pleasant sort. “I only got two hands,” he told her.
    Alice didn’t wait to comment. She had a half dozen pie orders to deliver, and since desserts were something she had sole responsibility for, she didn’t want to take time out for conversation.
    By the end of the lunch rush, Alice felt like she had barely managed to meet the demands of the men. There was a great deal of improvement needed before things would run smoothly.
    Hurrying to gather the dirty dishes and clear the tables, Alice nearly ran over Mr. Bellows. He reached out to steady her. “Whoa there, li’l gal.”
    “Sorry. I should have been looking where I was going.”
    He nodded toward the now-empty dining room. “You did a good job there. I have to say you surprised me.”
    She smiled. “Thank you. I know I’ll get better with time.”
    “Tell Joe I said to get right on those dishes after he puts another batch of roasts in the oven.”
    Alice nodded and hurried with an armful of plates and cups to the kitchen sink. Joe, the cook and dishwasher, stood to one side of the room picking his teeth. He noticed her and frowned.
    “Ain’t no end to it.”
    Feeling self-conscious as he continued to stare at her face, Alice motioned toward the dishes. “Mr. Bellows asked me to tell you he needs those dishes done as soon as you get the roasts in the oven.”
    “I know my job. Nobody’s gotta tell me.” He pushed his hand back through his greasy hair. The man’s slovenly appearance was only worse after working the noon rush.
    Alice didn’t like him, nor did she like the way he always seemed to be watching her. She didn’t mean to be so judgmental, especially at their first meeting, but the way he watched her reminded her of Mr. Smith—almost as if he were studying her for some troublesome purpose.
    Alice thought to apologize for