The place was dreary. Which was one word Richard Scott would use to describe the lonely town of Belfair, with a meager population of 2,000. The fog was heavy, coiling across the trees and the rain loud, threatening to drown out the dull static of the radio. He should have thought things through when he decided that leaving Michigan for a smaller and sadder looking town was better. The rain battered the window of his second-hand car. The rhythmic pattern that hit his car was relaxing, despite the annoyance that the wet weather brought. Steadily, he looked onwards as the town plaque passed by him forebodingly, the 6-feet bronze monument stood as a glaring beacon among the bramble branches and the scattered mottled brown leaves.

The derelict buildings that showed signs of civilization looked deserted. In the weather, the town was shrouded in a cloak of mystery and intrigue. Pondering if he should turn back and say 'to hell with the new job' he noticed a neon-lit café. Against the slow rising sunrise, the neon lights stood out. The sign with its inviting colors read ‘Soleil cafe and motel.’ It had a few cars, mostly pick-up trucks in the parking lot.

Despite the scent of rain overwhelming his senses, a faint smell of exhaust reached him. Deciding that 5:38 AM was just as good a time as any to eat breakfast, he parked his car and grabbed his raincoat and wallet. He turned off the car engine and pocketed the car keys. Running to the entrance of the cafe and trying to avoid the rain, Richard was reminded of the humid rains in Davao and the smell of petrichor that comes after. Belfair however, had no such thing. The weather was frigid and the rain drops that touched his skin felt like ice sliding down.

‘The only time this rain was this cold was after Noche Buena.’ He thought, ‘And when his father died and we didn’t have enough to buy a casket.’

He ran to the entrance of Soleil Café, raindrops that battered him lightly slid across the raincoat’s surface. He removed his raincoat and shook it lightly, the raindrops on the floor, glistening against the clean checkered tiles. before draping it into the raincoat hooks placed for the customer's convenience. Patting his pockets to make sure that his keys and wallets were still with him, he took a seat in the booths facing the edge of the town woods.

 

"Mornin' there suga’. Do you want coffee, tea or some hot cocoa?" A southern voice drawled out. Richard blinked in surprise, not expecting a southern accent coming from the gothic-looking girl. Clearing his throat; sore from disuse, Richard ordered hot cocoa with milk and asked if they served breakfast.

 

"Of course hun’. we got lots' early drivers making trips 'round here, so our boss made us accommodate ya’'ll."

 

"Ah, is that so?"

 

He watched as the gothic southerner went to the other tables that were occupied by tired drivers. His wandering eyes drifted over to the empty streets, a few shops opening up for the early 6:30 business rush. Well, as much as a 6:30 AM rush would look like in a small town like this.

After a couple of minutes of watching the early crowd, the rain slowly abated. He looked back to the waitress, he watched blearily as she moved behind the counter. She made his cocoa with milk and honey and brought a menu in tow. "Well, here ya are." She slid the menu towards him and delicately placed the mug of hot cocoa in front of him. "Would ya like some whipped cream with that?" She motioned towards the can in her hand.

 

"Opo, ma'am." He muttered distractedly as he continued to read the menu intently. The waitress gave a small noise of confusion and made him lookup. "Oh, pasensya p- I mean- sorry and yes, I'd like whipped cream please." His cheeks flushed red, embarrassed. If she was judging him for his blunder, she didn’t show it. He nudged his warm mug towards her. As she sprayed whipped cream with practiced speed, he looked at the muted television in the corner broadcasting the local news live. She brought him back to full awareness.

 

"Are you ready to order, doll?"

 

"Ah, yes" he pointed to menu items as he placed his order. "I'd like to order scrambled eggs with toast. Vegetable stir-fry and garlic rice." She jotted down his orders, gave him complimentary water and went near the kitchen counter to holler his order at the chef.

 

He cradled the warm mug in his hand, the steam rising and he watched as the whipped cream slowly sunk into the chocolate. He blew softly, steam lazily drifted away from the mug. He took a small sip, the chocolate slid down his throat. It was hot and it burned his tongue but the liquid was sweet and viscous. While he watched with his face resting on the palm of his hand, a young man slid into the opposite side of his booth.

 

"Hello there." The man began, his hand outstretched for Richard to shake. ‘He’s a cute guy.’ Richard thought, he looked at the outstretched hand and towards the young American, the artificial light bounced against his corn-silk hair and his blue eyes glistened with happiness. He conceded and returned the gesture with a firm handshake, ‘his hands are warm.’he noted to himself. It couldn’t hurt to be friendly to the stranger, after all, he didn't need to be hostile this early in the morning.

 

"Hi, I'm Richard and you are?"

 

"John Levi, nice to meetcha Richie."

 

Richard rolled his eyes at the dimpled smile John aimed towards him. "Don't call me Richie, Johnny." Richard teased back. John threaded a hand through his golden locks, he guffawed at their innocent interactions. ‘At least the locals I’ve met so far are friendly, despite the gloomy scenery of the town.’ Richard heard the clacking of the waitress' black pump boots and moved his near-empty cocoa mug and lukewarm water to the side.

 

"Here ya' go suga' careful 'about the stir-fry tho' they are pipin' hot." He gave a nod of thanks to the waitress and gestured to John if he wanted a taste. John gave another smile towards Richard and declined, he grabbed a napkin from the napkin holder and scribbled his number on it. 

"I gotta head out but, if you're around the locale, I'm willing to be your tour guide." He said as he gave Richard a playful wink and salacious smirk goodbye. Richard coughed into his long sleeve in order to hide his smile and tinted pink cheeks. Waving goodbye to John who left as fast as he arrived. He grabbed a fork and took a bite of the steaming stir-fry and another for the garlic rice. He scooped up the garlic rice, the heat of the freshly cooked meal made his mouth water. He took a bite of the blend of mushrooms, broccoli and chicken strips. The rice was smooth and the garlic added umami to the flavor. The stir-fry added crunch to the meal overall. The warm meal was pure ambrosia in his mouth.

 

After the delicious meal, he left a decent tip for the waitress and grabbed his dried raincoat; stiff and wrinkled due to the rain, on the way out. The rain had stopped but the clouds still blocked the view of the sunshine beams. He sighed, saddened that he'd probably never experience anything similar to a tropical day in his hometown in the outskirts of Davao. He tossed the folded raincoat in the front car seat and started the car. He looked back despite the relatively empty street, after all, it never hurt to be safe while driving.