Felix's loud honk blared through the apartment building, stirring nosy neighbours to look through their curtains. Zara jerked awake at the noise, her heart pounding like she had just ran a marathon. Her phone buzzed on the bedside table, teetering close to the edge with each vibration.
Groaning, she grabbed it and rubbed at her temple. Then she picked up and snapped. “What? It's my day off. Why do you delight in torturing me?”
Felix cackled dramatically like an actor on stage. “My fair lovely lady, your day would not be complete unless I take you on an excursion to this diner I found.”
“Shut up, Felix.” She sighed. “Give me ten minutes. And no more honking please.”
“As you wish, my—” She ended the call before he could finish whatever would make her feel like barfing. He had been her friend since college and now that work kept they constantly busy, he made it a point to drag her out on her days off.
Soon she was muttering to herself all the way downstairs toward the vintage coupe parked by roadside. Clutching her bag and her nerve, she strapped herself into the passenger seat and covered her nose with a handkerchief as they zoomed through the dust-shrouded afternoon, to explore a town she'd never visited before.
Felix slowed in front of an old building that seemed to be falling apart. The neon sign overhead read — Bite Me Diner. Zara frowned at the greased-stained windows and rickety double doors. “Are you sure this is the place? Is it even sanitary to eat here?”
Grinning, he pulled up the diner's website on his phone. “This place is going viral. Let's check it out. If you don't like it, we leave immediately. But after driving two hours, I think we at least deserve one meal.”
She sighed, fighting a smile. “This is exactly how horror movies begin.”
He held her hand and pulled her toward the entrance. The bell above the door screamed rather than jingle, startling them. Zara shrieked and instantly covered her mouth. Every head in the place turned at them and some snickered like it was a joke they played on every newcomer.
The diner smelled like burnt sugar and pickles. Red booths lined the walls and a jukebox in a corner played a slow song. It was oddly calming.
Once they sat down, a clown chewing gum walked over and they stared. They couldn't tell whether it was a man or woman. The clown grinned, pointing to the food-stained, laminated menu on the table. “So, what'll it be?” It was a woman. She blew a big pink bubble with her gum before it popped loudly against her lips. Felix grimaced and shook his head.
Zara picked up her menu. “What the hell is The Divorce Fries?” She asked, looking pointedly at Felix as though he invented it.
“Check the next one,” he urged excitedly.
“Grandma’s Last Wish Milkshake? A Garbage Sandwich?” She read out loud, her eyes wide in disbelief while he chuckled.
The clown shrugged. “Sweety, make ya choice already. I reckon ya’ll like the sandwich. Kids here go crazy for it,” the clown said.
“Two garbage sandwiches, please,” Felix said confidently and the clown scribbled on her notepad, muttering, “excellent choice.”
Felix drummed his fingers on the table, glancing around. “This place is incredible.”
“Yea, only you would say that. If I get stomach upset or end up in the ER for food poisoning, I will sue you and …this place.”
“Oh come on. We'll be fine.”
Then the kitchen door burst open and the clown returned, balancing two plates of huge sandwiches. She slammed it on their table and Zara blinked. The sandwiches were enormous towers of bread stuffed with fries, onion rings, lettuce, mozzarella sticks, and chicken nuggets. The greasy aroma made their mouths water and Felix whispered, awestruck. “This is either genius or a cry for help!”
While Zara was still checking her sandwich, Felix slowly picked it up and bit into it, grease dripping onto the plate. His mmm sounds made Zara narrow her eyes at him. He nodded, pointing at the sandwich like he just discovered something out of this world. “This is disgustingly good. Try it.”
Against her better judgement, Zara bit into hers. It was crunchy, the sweetness, spice and salt exploded on her tongue in chaotic perfection. She covered her mouth, her eyes wide in surprise. “Omg, you're right.”
They devoured their food, ordering soda with it. Felix signed into the diner's website and left a five-star review. Best sandwich ever.
I hope you enjoyed reading this short piece. It's inspired by the Freewrite #dailyprompt phrase "garbage sandwich".
Thank you for visiting my blog.
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