Real Novel Chapter Eleven

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They had met summer '93; Rod Stewart had been asking if "he'd told someone lately he loved them" on the diner radio. George had been here 3 years, working as a waitress. She had dreams of Hollywood, of fame and fortune. A place where she could go and be herself. If she could ever work out what being herself actually was.

A green army-canvas covered truck pulled up outside and the troops piled out. Into the "Happy Dayz" diner in Boulder City, Nevada strode a man with a tidy buzz cut and an imposing frame; radiating power and control and, possibly a hint of mystery. A man whose influence would change George's life for at least three years, and perhaps forever.

"At ease men." The handful of troops relaxed and made their way to free tables and booths in an undisciplined scramble. But it was alright. They were good men and had been working hard. They'd had an hour and a half R&R before they were heading on out. A busy schedule.

"Doll," the guy who was obviously in charge called to George, snapping his fingers and pointing down, signifying "here"; like she was some animal, but, the life of a diner waitress is little more than that. So she walked over, pad in hand, ready for his order.

The guy looked at her with powerful eyes, staring at her chest; she felt uncomfortable for a moment but his eyes lifted and he looked her in the face.

"Georgina," he said in a more respectful tone, "my boys have been working hard; tough work, can they get some sort of priority here?"

George felt awkward, she'd mis-interpreted his stare - he'd just been reading her name badge. As she was doing now to him; Sgt Scolletti.

"I'll see what I can do, Sergeant, it's not exactly a busy time here so it shouldn't be a problem; by the way, my friends call me George."

"George? Why, Georgina's such a beautiful name; just like you." He reached and took her dainty hand in his, lifted it and kissed it gently. George felt heat rushing through her, from her hand, across her chest and surfacing as redness in her cheeks. "And you don't need to rest on formalities," he went on."You can call me Tony"

"Tony. Can I take your order then?"

"Take care of my boys first; besides," he said, regarding her with hungry eyes, "I'm not sure that what I want is on the menu"

George giggled, the blush brighter than before. As she left the table to serve the "boys" her mind was filled with Tony Scolletti. He was handsome enough, seemed kind. Maybe he was the one that could take care of her, make her feel normal like everyone else. Please her parents who were on the edge of disowning her.

The radio turned from Stewart to Aerosmith, Cryin, as George took orders; lots of bacon, lots of eggs and beans. These boys were hungry. She didn't notice a couple walk through the diners doors and approach the Sergeant.

"Carlo," Tony said ushering him and his companion to the table, "and this must be Elizabeth?"

"Liz" Carlo corrected, but the lady nodded; she was oddly dressed, thick sunglasses, a head scarf and long coat. Carlo was wearing combat trousers and a tan t-shirt. They sat down; Carlo pulled some papers out of the bag he'd been carrying.

"Is it all there?" Scolletti asked. Carlo nodded. Tony reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a small, brown envelope and passed it across the table into Carlo's hands. Little was said, just a nod and Carlo and Elizabeth left the diner with few noticing they'd ever even been there. Once outside though it was a different matter.

"I know there's something going on" Carlo had said, "I know there's always something going on with you. You like Tony eh? Old Big Tony eh?" He slapped her across the face, her glasses tumbling to the ground revealing an old, blacked eye.

"I'm sorry Carlo," she begged, "I.. I " his hand came down upon her again.

And this was to continue until the day when she rebelled, snatched the wheel of the truck from his hands in rage and desperation, and caused the crash that disabled him for life. But that's another story.

In the mean time, months went by as Georgina Taylor and Tony Scolletti courted and finally married in a gaudy off-the-strip church in Vegas. And yet after three years they'd gone their own ways, with George moving in with her old friend Madeline and Tony returning for more tours of duty in a world where he felt at home.

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