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A Snowy Sunday Morning
by Denise Alcott

Took myself out about 7 am Sunday, still snowing since last night. Went to breakfast,Side Street Deli near the railroad station. Went in and ordered a bagel with an egg sunnyside up. Through the dense snow, I can see traces of the old run down train station. No one awaiting there. Deli has a few tables covered with plastic and shaker chairs. One man, sleeveless T-shirt, tattoo, biker-looking intensely reading the Sunday paper,looks up gives me a smirk. Older black woman, greying, sips her coffee and stares out the window toward the train station, then gives me a quick glance and turns back to sipping her coffee.

"Here young lady" the cook calls out to me. "Egg and bagel just like mom used to make. That'll be $3.50. " I have the exact amount, here you go. "Thanks" says the cook.

Table . . . Table which one do I want. Wait! The newspaper on the counter, 50 cents. Picking the newspaper up, I glanced the headlines "More Missiles Blowing Up Innocent People." I put 50 cents down on the counter.

Ah, there's a seat, over by the old woman. She turns around and gives me a stare. No smile. She turns back sips her coffee and gazes outside.

"Dam a spider! Get out of here! Disturbing my breakfast. I don't bother you, don't bother me." Bang! I use my napkin and end it's life. Biker and Old lady look up.

"Okay." I say to myself and look away from them. Set the newspaper on the table. Tea to the right, bagel to the center. A little sugar for my tea. Perfect. Now, I'm ready.

"Hey! This place has all kinds of breakfasts." Yells one of two hard hat- looking guys coming in the side entrance to the Deli. Unshaven, rugged and handsome, one blond longish hair, the other long black hair with a pony-tail. Light snow abound their denium jackets and construction boots. "We'll have two breakfast specials. You know. The $1.99 specials. And add extra bacon on mine." said one of them." "You got it, said thecook." Sure is snowing hard out there today." said one the blond.

"Here you guys go. Two breakfast specials. " says the cook. "Thanks bud. Keep the change," the pony-tailed guy said. Both hard hats keep peering over at my table, while they decide on a table. Self-conscious,I take a sip of my tea. I look up again. One smiles at me as he passes my table. I look down and continue to read my Sunday newspaper. "Let's take a table, right here," one says.. "Right next to me, they're going to stare some more, I think.

"Heck of a lotta snow out there, don't you think so Sam." says the pony- tailed guy leaning back on his chair. "Yeah," says the other.

"This bagel and egg it is really good," I think to myself. I think I'll have a little tea. Finished with World News, Finance and Travel, I'll read the rest at home. Better clean this up.

Napkin, cup, plate in the garbage. I think I'll go now. Oh, my bag. Can't forget that.

Biker continues reading his paper. Looks up at me as I'm leaving,. I look away, staring at the door exit door sign. Out the deli door I go. Snow is still falling heavy. Mmm. I like snowy Sundays. No cars passing by. Seems so peaceful. A grey-haired squirrel scurries past me across the mountain of snow that has accumulated, runs past the cobble stone sidewalk and climbs up a tall strong oak tree. I stop before putting the key into my car door. Turning around, I glance at the Victorian homes that line the street. I can hear the birds singing. The soft wind blowing in the trees. No one else up and around yet. I give a last glance at the Side Road Deli . Hum, snow still rolling in. The Deli has pretty good food. I get in the car. Snowy sunday mornings, I think I'll remember this day.