Finished dressing, Big Red moved slowly toward the door, then turned and spoke to Libby. "I'm awfully sorry about this, honey."
"I ain't sorry," the girl said softly. "It was the nicest thing that's ever happened to me."
Her mother glared at Big Red. "Get outta here, you fuckin' bastard. I never want to see you or that damned rig around here again!"
Libby stood quietly, listening to the sound of the big truck disappearing into a hot muggy silence. She knew she would never see Big Red again.
CHAPTER THREE
For the next few days, mother and daughter had very little to say to each other, speaking only when it was necessary. When Thursday came around again, Libby kept glancing through the window, hoping to see the big rig that she knew would never come. When the last customer had gone, Libby's mother quietly retired to the trailer, leaving her daughter to close the cafe. When she had completed her chores and turned out the lights and the neon sign, Libby sat don on the front steps. Listening to the distant sounds on the freeway, she wondered if Big Red's truck was out there in the traffic. It just didn't seem fair to the girl that he would never be back again. She closed her eyes and pretended that he was holding her in his arms, her face snuggled against his big bare chest.
Libby was brought back to reality with the sound of a car grinding up the hill. When it came into view, the one dim headlight told her it was Billy Jefferson's pickup.
"Hi, Libby," he called cheerfully when he stepped out.
"Hello, Billy. Where were you last week?" she asked.
"Shit," mumbled the boy. "My old man wouldn't lemme leave."
"Did you bring the buck and a half you owe me?" she asked.
"Well," he muttered nervously, "I got two bucks to pay for tonight, and I'll bring the rest next Thursday."