There was no agreeable premonition or serendipitous wrong turn that caused him to end up at the small restaurant that afternoon. He had just been driving through town in order to find the cheapest gas station and, being a little hungry, decided to check out what looked to be a well-trafficked, busy little diner located right next to the gas station he'd pulled into.
His philosophy regarding unknown dining establishments had always been to look for signs that the place was busy, and a parking lot full of cars, especially in the late afternoon when a lunchtime rush or dinner crowd couldn't be the explanation, was always a good indicator that people liked what was on offer.
Walking through the front door and hearing the low hum of several conversations and the clinking of utensils on plates sealed the deal. He waited patiently at a small podium where a "Please wait to be seated" sign was posted.
The woman who strode over carrying a plastic tumbler of ice water in one hand and a menu in the other was smiling broadly at him. She introduced herself as Michelle and asked, "Is there just one of you today?" in that exquisite small-town pleasant tone that he had grown to love over the last few months of his travels. So much more welcoming than the tone one was greeted with in the larger cities up north.
"Yup, just me, I'm Daniel" Escaped his lips as more of a reaction than an answer.
"Would you like a seat at the counter? We don't have any open tables inside at the moment, but there are a couple outside on the back patio if you want to eat in the sunshine."
He considered his options for a short moment then replied in what he hoped was not a tired-as-he-actually-was voice, "You know Michelle, dining al fresco would be great. The back patio it is."
"Follow me," she said as she turned toward a small aisle that separated the booths directly behind her. They made their way past the happy chatting and eating customers and walked through a back door to the large patio that was covered with a vine-wrapped pergola.
"Here you go Daniel, a comfy spot in the shade," she said as she placed the cup of water and the menu on the table and then pulled out a chair for him. He slid into the seat and she said, "Mindy will be out to take your order after you have had a few minutes to look over the menu - is there anything else you'd like to drink? We have four beers on tap - Molsons, Coors Light, Blue Moon & Leinie's Summer Shandy."
"Do you have iced tea?"
"We have the best iced tea - Pink, Lemon, Raspberry or our own Summertime Sweet Tea?" She answered, then added, "The Summertime Sweet Tea is unforgettable."
"Well then, I will have the unforgettable Summertime Sweet tea."
The woman smiled broadly again and walked back into the restaurant while he took up the menu. The name of the place and a motto was printed boldly on the front, "Jake and Jen's Gourmand Retreat, Food For Folks That Like To Eat."
That's when he heard what sounded like shots from a small caliber handgun, and a scream that was muffled almost instantly.
As quickly and quietly as he could he got up from his seat and made his way toward the railing that bordered the patio on the side to the left of the door. He crouched behind a table and with both hands grabbed the back of one of the chairs. Slowly he stood up and hoisted the chair in front of him. Anyone coming through the door wouldn't see him until they turned to look behind the door, and that would give him at least a couple seconds to bring the chair down on them.
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