Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 This is a work of fantasy.  It is not about real people, and if it is, it's
not what they would do.  (not that you are likely to know them anyway).  If
you are under 18, go away, since I don't like to get in trouble.  If you
are turned off by perversion, what are you doing at asstr?  In other words,
go away.  If none of this applies to you, great!  Read on!  Have fun!  Let
me know what you like!  Oh, and I work hard on my writing...so guess what?
It's mine.  That's right boys and girls...it's copyrighted...so if you want
it?  Just ask- we'll talk.

   PS This was the very first short story I ever wrote (that was of any
merit anyway); It's been edited and re-edited since then.  You'll
understand my motives for posting it once you've read it, even if it's not
exactly erotica.  Dryad
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   The Diner By Dryad

   It was in that corner booth she sat when I first saw her.  She was
dressed in the height of fashion, why she even had on those fancy silk
stockings and a hat...on a weekday!  I was working behind the counter.  It
had been warm and muggy, strange this early in the season.  Vinnie had
started the fans.  I was sweatin' like a hog, I swear it, and even then she
looked as cool as a tall glass of lemonade they give the fellas after a day
of hayin'!  We were all expectin' it to storm something fierce the way the
heat was buildin'.  Well, I had my money to make, so I went up to her and
asked what she wanted.  The way she looked up at me sideways, so high and
mighty, well!  "a glass of water." her low, husky voice said.  Water! 
Hmph! You'd think someone wearing those kind of clothes could afford to
order somethin' they had to pay for.  So I went behind the counter to get
her water.  I took a quick peek over her way.  There she was lookin' out
the window at Ed's Feed and Seed.

   Since there was no one else in the diner, I decided that I should
probably try to be friendly, "Hot day, ain't it?" She shook her head.  I
tried again.

   "Visiting relatives?"

   A low "Not exactly." came from the booth.

   "Anything I could help with?" Sweet Jesus, she had my curiosity riled.
"You're not from around here." It was a statement, not a question.  I
placed the water glass in front of her.  She kept her face low and said,
"Thank you." Well, she was an awful tough nut to crack.  I grew up here,
but it ain't exactly sight-seein' country.  She had the look of someone
with a hell of alotta money, that much I'd bet on, but she looked scared.
Well, there ain't nothin' to be scared of 'round here except ole' man
Riley's bull.

   "Is there a place to stay in town?" Her voice startled me out of my
thoughts.

   "Well, yeah, but it depends on how long you plan on stayin'.  There is a
boarding house on Willow Street a couple of blocks up.  That'd be your best
bet.  The motel is only good if you're just passin' through." Hmph, see
what that gets her.

   "How would you get to this boarding house?" I gave her the way, then she
stood to leave.

   "You jest set yourself back down.  The boardin' house ain't going
nowhere, and that sky is gonna open up any second.  I'll take you over
there myself." She sat back down.  I wiped down the counter, shut off the
fans, and put the closed sign up in the window.

   "What's your name?"

   She turned toward me and said, "Amanda".  As the first roll of thunder
shook the windows, I could see the entire side of her face was bruised and
ragged.  I didn't say nothin'.  It wa'n't my place.
   Copyright Dryad (gbbjg@yahoo.com) 1991,2003