Anniversary Dinner at Denny's
Maureen slipped her best dress over her head, zipped the back as far as it would go, and closed the remaining gap with a safety pin. “You're just as handsome as the first day we met, Clark,” she said to her husband as he used sink water and a tissue to dull stains in his only black suit; his only suit.
“Those were the days. Weren't they?” he asked.
Maureen nodded and finished getting ready. The room at the Hillside Motel wasn't large, but it would do for a while.
Dressed for celebration, they left the motel complex and walked down the shoulder of Route 9. There was no sidewalk, so Maureen and Clark strode single-file and as close to the curb as possible. Traffic was heavy, but the sun was bright.
A mile down the road, they found Denny's. It was only four in the afternoon so there was no wait and the couple sat right away. “Get whatever you want, darling. Get two dinners if you desire. This is our night,” said Clark.
They ordered dinner and an appetizer.
Full and sluggish, Maureen and Clark lumbered back to the motel and enjoyed the rest of the night.
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Author's Note
Driving down Route 9, I noticed a couple walking down the side of the road, dressed for Sunday mass. But it was a Tuesday evening.
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This is touching. I have such a dark sense of things, I began to fear they were going to kill themselves. I'm glad they didn't.
Nice story.
Never thought Denny's could be so romantic.
Ha! Thanks. To sort of answer both comments, I tend to write about the down-and-out, but always show that there is something good going on. No matter how tough things are, there's always something to laugh about.
There is a lot of sweetness to this story. It's refreshing to read something that feels of time gone by
Yes, as Susan said, there is this incredible sweetness about this couple. They may not have much, she might close her dress with a safety pin, he might have to sponge off his single suit, but they have each other, and they love they have will show me through.
Sometimes being so smart, educated, expectant, etc, works to our detriment.
Lovely job Matt.
Thanks, Susan and Cherise. To me, the simple things make life wonderful.
Something very unforced about this which gives it charm. It's humble (like the characters) and believable.
Thank you, Neil.
When my grandfather used to take us "somewhere special" he meant Denny's. One of the first stories I published was called Breakfast at Denny's (although it was hardly cheerful.)
Yes, there's something about the place. Where on Route 9? I spent a summer driving the strip from Manahawkin to Tom's River. Really like the heart shown here.
You know, I actually think I saw this couple on Route 35, heading north in Wall Township. There's a Denny's there as well. I drive around there all the time.
Did you live in Manahawkin?
Fuck, what a sad, sad, story. I see couples like this, in many countries, and they just make me weep. Sometimes I am envious, hoping they are content, but usually they just make me sad, and too sad to write about. Good you made them seem not so hopeless.
so nice and cozy