Grace's Diner

"Then Grace" has lived a hard life. Weathered by her existence as the owner of a bus stop diner in the Midwest of the 1950's her face is a road map. Wrinkles and lines represent the people she has met, counseled, loved and lost. The darkness around her eyes illustrates her many experiences and tragedies. The glimmer in her tired eyes, however, gives a glimpse into the miracles that have come her way.

"Now Grace" epitomizes the girl next door. A blue-eyed blonde with wholesome beauty and not a line on her face. She moves with ease and grace. While her face does not indicate sadness or loss, her eyes are dull, her soul invisible to those who gaze into them. The effort exuded to put on a happy face makes itself evident in her frequents sighs and far away gaze. If there are miracles for Now Grace they have yet to show themselves.

The beauty and innocence of youth is a myth for Now Grace. Of her 19 years, only the first 12 were happy. Her middle school years were tested with family struggle, alcoholism, and a touch of domestic violence. Her freshman year of high school decimated by the death of her younger sister and soul mate Molly. The pressure to maintain outward beauty keeps her from showing the measure of her grief. At nineteen she has mastered the art of hiding in plain sight.

The outward appearance of Then Grace may not seem attractive at first glance nor do her movements invoke thoughts of ease of grace. Time spent with her however creates a shift in reality for those with whom she encounters. "What is it about her?" patrons at her diner ask themselves. Her section is always full, in spite of her army Now Grace type waitresses. Her customers always request her section and they too become full. The men who come in desire her and often ask her out. A slice of pie, or a cup of coffee does more than fill the hunger for them. Their meals provide love and acceptance and a hint of possibility.

The lifelong struggles and subsequent miracles that have paved the way and followed Then Grace have created a true portal to heaven. The spiritual reality has found an earthly home in her weary self. The effects of a 60-year journey of child abuse, job loss, divorce and the sudden loss of a child pave the way to kindness and love for those in her diner. As a 24/7 establishment Grace's Diner is a time free haven for the lost and afraid.

Now Grace enters the diner and sits at the counter. She orders a diet coke and fries. She stares into space and longs for a time that no longer exists. She plays on her phone. She looks up and sees Then Grace looking at her, looking into her. She ambles over to the young face and stops in front of her. Though their mouths move and they gesture lovingly they seem invisible to those around them. It is as if time stands still, or accelerates... it is hard to tell, Now Grace asks to take a selfie with Then Grace. She turns around and focuses her phone. She snaps a photo.

After that meal and conversation Now Grace's eyes sparkle, A small worry line just beginning to form makes itself known between her eyes. As she approaches the exit she is drawn to a photo. It is Then Grace, taken 50 years prior at her going away party. Her obituary is beneath it. Now Grace is confused and looks at her phone. She sees that her selfie is just that, a picture of herself, the space behind her empty, with just the hint of a shadow, or a play on the light. A wave of familiarity washed over her as she leaves the diner, like she has glimpsed into her future through a visit with the past. She disappears around a corner.

Then Grace watches her younger self walk away. She knows the struggles and heartache that await Now Grace. She marvels at the universe and how the notion of time is lost on those constrained by it. She turns her gaze to the empty diner, long ago fallen into a state of disrepair. The faded curtains blowing out through the broken glass. There is no room for sadness here but the memories are strong and vivid. She looks around and then sees her. Molly, long and graceful, big soulful eyes and stunning features. She smiles at Then Grace and comes close. Her smell causes a catch in Then Grace and the two embrace one another as only spirits can. They follow Now Grace as she makes her way across the busy streets. They will follow her closely for all of her earthly time. There are times Now Grace will feel this, and times she will long for it. For now, though, she simply feels the warm sun on her skin and remembers her times with Molly. She smiles and feels, for perhaps the first time since losing Molly, that she will be ok.