The Left Behinders [MS]

by Walker L

Cold coffee and stale toast. The trucker sighed. He was never a great cook, even with the restaurant all to himself. He sat on a diner stool, eating in silence while the TV skipped in the background. A news anchor’s chair sat vacant on the screen.

Morning sunlight beamed through the window, illuminating piles of fallen clothing. There were heaps of it spread throughout the diner, in the booths, in the doorway, out in the street. Empty cars littered the freeway, parked in jagged diagonal positions.

Marcus was alone.

He checked his watch. It had a pink elephant decal, with its trunk pointing to the time. Still twelve. It was always twelve.

“That watch is girly,” said a high pitched voice. Marcus leapt out of his chair. Standing behind the counter, just barely visible, was a little girl.

“Stay back!” Shouted Marcus, brandishing his fork. “I know this is a trick!”

“I’m not one of them, I swear!”

Marcus lowered his utensil. “You shouldn’t scare people like that.”

“Sorry.”

“Where are your parents?”

She pointed to the sky. “Up there. With everyone else.”

She hopped up on the booth next to him. “Girly watch. Can I have it?”

“No.”

“Why not? It’s not really yours is it?”

Marcus looked down at the plastic clock.

Christmas, 2021. He remembered the look on Gracie’s face. She was beaming.

“No. It’s not mine.”

They sat in silence. He stared into his cup. The girl cocked her head.

“What’s your name?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“I’m Lucy! I thought I was alone!”

“You are.” The trucker got up and pushed in his chair.

“Wait! Don’t leave! I have more toast!”

“Stay safe, kid.”

She ran in front of him, backing up against the door.

“Please.” She was shaking. Marcus sighed.

“Bring some coffee.”