CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Jack had fed Tank and was filling his water bucket at the sink of his motor home when there was a light tapping on the door. He glanced at the clock above the sink. It read 6:13. Hmm, he thought, punctual. He set the water bucket down and reached for a dish towel. He walked over to the door drying his hands and turned the knob.
Beau came bounding up the stairs and was inside before Jack even saw Jana.
“Well,” he chuckled, “Come right in Beau.”
“Oh, my…” she said from the pavement outside. “I’m so sorry.”
“Why?” he asked. “No harm done. Come on in,” he said holding the door open wide.
Jana stepped up and into the RV. She looked around and said, “Wow. I’ve never seen the inside of one of these. All the comforts of home.”
“That’s the idea,” Jack said. He took a minute to look at this lady that he had met outside in the parking lot just an hour ago. She was wearing jeans, like he. But hers were worn longer, as westerners do when wearing cowboy boots. True cowboys’ jeans drag the ground and Jana Hastings’ jeans fell below her cowboy boots, too. She had on a plaid western shirt and was wearing a thick woolen vest over it. Jack was struck by the beauty of her that he hadn’t noticed earlier. Her hair was cropped short and was a silvery gray. Her blue eyes held a sparkle and had small lines in the corners that he guessed were the result of a smiling disposition. Her skin was smooth and flawless. He decided that Jana Hastings had taken good care of herself.
“I fed Beau over at the hotel,” she said.
“Oh, good. I was going to ask about that.” He looked down at the two dogs lying comfortably on the carpeted floor. “They seem tuckered out, I guess from the running around in that field.” He looked back at Jana. “Let’s hope they are. Ready?” he asked.
“Yes, I am,” she said. “I feel hungrier than I thought.”
Jack grabbed his windbreaker and hat. He held the door for Jana to step out. He then turned around and looked at the dogs before stepping out himself. “You two boys behave yourselves.” They looked back at him innocently. When he was outside, he turned and locked the door with his key.
They walked across the parking lot and into the diner. Jana was a good seven or eight inches shorter than Jack. He suspected her to be about five feet four inches as he stood six feet even. She looked inside at the diner complete with truckers and mumbled, “This will be a first.”
“Aw,” he said, “you’ll love it. Just good home cookin’.”
A waitress greeted the couple and took two menus from the hostess stand, “Just the two of you?” she asked. Jack removed his hat and nodded. The waitress said, “This way, please.”
He stepped aside and allowed Jana to go before him. Jack saw that the dining room was moderately full, and there were six burly drivers sitting at the counter. The waitress showed them to a table by the window and set the menus down. “I’ll be right back to get your drink orders,” she said. “It’s just me here tonight.”
Jack helped Jana as she moved to shed her vest. She put it over the back of her chair, which he held for her. He took off his windbreaker and placed it, along with his hat, in one of the two vacant chairs at their table. He sat down opposite her.
The waitress returned as promised and took out her order pad. “There now, my name is Sheila. What can I get y’all to drink?”
Jack looked up and jokingly said, “Could I see your wine list?”
Sheila looked at him and laughed, “Ha, yeah, I wish. What’s your next choice?”
Jana smiled at his joke. A good sign, he thought. “What would you like Jana?” he asked.
“I’m fine with the water right now,” she said. “Maybe some coffee later.”
“I’d like some tea, please. Unsweet,” Jack said.
“Okie dokie,” said Sheila. She used her ball point pen and pointed at the front of Jack’s menu. “Our specials are listed right there on the front of the menu. The catfish is fresh. And the meatloaf is good anytime,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”
Jana was engrossed in the menu. She looked over at Jack. “They have everything,” she said. “I had no idea that truck stops served food like this.”
“Just keep this in mind on your trip,” he said. “Look for the ones that have lots of cars and trucks in the parking lot.”
“Makes sense,” she said.
Sheila returned after delivering several plates to the men at the counter. “Ready?” she asked.
Jana ordered the chicken fried steak with French fries and slaw. Jack opted for the meatloaf with mashed potatoes and green beans. “Okay,” said Sheila. “I’ll be right back.” She turned and scurried back to the kitchen.
“This is interesting,” Jana said. “I never would have thought to eat in a truck stop.”
“I hope this one is as good as most,” Jack said. “I’d feel pretty bad recommending it if it’s not.” He looked closer at Jana and was more impressed with her beauty. “So,” he asked, “why are you travelling back to D.C.? Do you have business, or is it just for a change of scenery?”
She considered the question a moment. “Just for a change,” she said. “My husband is kind of busy at the moment.”
“And what does Mr. Hastings do?” Jack asked. “Is he a rancher?”
“Well, no,” she answered. “It’s General Hastings. He’s a retired Army officer.” She paused a moment. “His name is ‘Jack,’ too.”
“Ha. What a coincidence,” he said. “General, huh? That’s an impressive career.”
“He went to West Point. Always wanted to be a soldier,” she said. “My brother did, too. That’s how Jack and I met. My brother introduced us.”
“Gee, that’s even more impressive,” He paused a moment. “Did you enjoy Army life? There must have been lots of moving around, huh?”
“I got used to it,” she answered. “There were a lot of separations. I got used to that, too. I guess it helped make me kind of independent.” She paused, then said, “I lived in the home in Fairfax… where I’m going now, several times, alone… while Jack was stationed elsewhere.”
“Hmm,” Jack thought about that. It was a completely different way of life than what he had lived.
She smiled at him. “So, tell me about yourself,” she said. “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m retired, also” he said. “I had a plastics manufacturing business up until last year. I got an attractive offer to sell it, so I did.” He was looking out the window into the distance. Then he turned back to face her and said, “We were going to travel, Claire and me… that was my wife. But, it wasn’t to be.”
Jana was intrigued by this kind man. She felt there was more to his story.
“What happened?” she asked.
“She was killed,” he said.
“Oh, my. I’m so sorry. I really didn’t mean to pry. You did tell me you had lost her earlier. Please...”
He stopped her. “No, no. It’s quite all right,” he said. “I’ve gotten past the shock, and the grief, I guess. But, she was a wonderful woman. I’ll always miss her.”
Their conversation was interrupted as Sheila returned balancing a tray full of dishes. She lowered the tray and set one side of it on the corner of their table. With one hand she held the tray and with the other she placed their meals in front of them.
“Mmm,” said Jana. “This looks very good.”
Sheila let the empty tray fall to her side. “Is there anything else I can get for y’all right now?” She looked from Jana to Jack, then back.
Jack peered over at Jana with a questioning look, prompting her to say, “I don’t think so.”
“I’ll be back to check on y’all,” Sheila said, then turned and hurried back to the kitchen.
Jack picked up his silverware and studied his plate. If Jana had had any thoughts or misgivings about accepting this man’s invitation to dinner, they were completely gone. She felt that she was a good judge of character, her husband notwithstanding. And s
he felt very comfortable in his company.
He continued, “Claire was a doctor… a pediatrician. Both of us had worked hard all of our lives and we were looking forward to traveling… doing just what Tank and I are doing now. We were going to buy an RV and just take off.”
“I’m so sorry…”
“No, really,” he said. “I don’t mind talking about it. After the car crash, I didn’t know what to do. My kids helped a lot. They encouraged me to go ahead and go, just as Claire and I would have.”
“Kids?” she asked. “How many do you have?”
“Two. Both girls,” he answered. They both live in Atlanta. My oldest, Sarah, has a son, my grandson. And my youngest, Nicki, is a doctor. She’s going to join the practice Claire started as soon as she completes her residency this year.”
“Gee,” she said. “You sound like the model family. You should be proud.”
Jack noticed that she had called him by name, and was glad. “Oh, I’m very proud of them. It’s been a good life,” he said. “What about you? Any kids?”
It was Jana who was now looking out the window, into the distance. “No,” she answered. She seemed sad. “We just never really had the time or… inclination, I suppose. Jack was very intent on his career. And, he was gone a lot.”
The two continued with their meal and allowed a lapse in their conversation.
It was Jack who picked it up. “Did you work?” he asked.
“Yes. I had a pretty full career in nursing,” she said. “I got my Masters in Nursing while Jack got his in International Studies at Georgetown. Then I taught at George Washington University Hospital there in D.C.”
“That is a full career,” Jack noted.
“It was fulfilling,” she said. “It gave me a lot of satisfaction over the years. And, it kept me busy while Jack was away.” Jana was beginning to wonder at how she felt so secure in telling her life story to this man who had been a complete stranger just hours ago. But it felt so natural.
“I’ve always wondered about those long separations,” he said. “Weren’t they hard on your marriage? I mean… I thought it was great coming home to my wife every night.”
She thought for a minute. “I guess it was,” she confessed. She had never really thought about it. Was it the distance between them that had led Jack to other women? Was it something she had done? The innocent question from this relative stranger had prompted her to ask herself what it was that had caused such heartbreak in her life.
Jack was finishing his meal which he seemed to have relished with delight. Jana watched him thinking that he had no idea of the thoughts his question had caused. She couldn’t help but wonder how her life would have been had she had the kind of ‘normal’ life that this man described.
He looked over and saw that she had come close to eating everything on her plate. “Good?” he asked.
“Very good,” she said. “This has been a pleasant surprise.”
He smiled at her. “It’s been a pleasant meal in many respects,” he said.
She returned his smile. “Yes. It has.”
Sheila returned, looked at both of them and said, “Okay, y’all, how ‘bout some dessert?”
“Truck stops are known to have fantastic pies and cakes, Jana,” Jack said.
“Oh,” she said shaking her head. “I’m stuffed. But please, you go ahead.”
He smiled and said, “No. I’ve had enough, too. But, join me in a cup of coffee?”
“Yes. I sure will.” Jana looked up at Sheila and said, “Decaf for me, please.”
“Me, too, Sheila,” Jack said.
Sheila nodded and left, returning shortly with a tray containing two ceramic mugs and a coffee pot. She set the mugs and the coffee pot down on the table, then cleared the dinner dishes from in front of her guests. Pointing to the objects on the table she said, “Cream and sweeteners are right there. Help yourselves.”
Jack picked up the silver cream pitcher and placed it in front of Jana. Then he reached for the sweeteners and did the same.
“When do you expect to reach that cabin you told me you are going to?” asked Jana.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Jack answered. “I’m just poking along. If I find some place we want to stop and explore, we just pull into a campground and stay a while. No hurry.”
“That does sound like fun,” she said.
“It is,” he replied. “But, again, Tank isn’t much of a conversationalist.” He gave her a genuine smile. “I’m really glad you agreed to join me for dinner. It’s good talking to someone who answers back.”
Jana had noticed that Jack’s eyes reflected sincerity. He had blue eyes, like hers. Now, as she looked closer, she noticed a rugged handsomeness about him; one that she hadn’t noticed before. Yes, she decided, this Jack Davenport was a fine looking man.
“It’s been a very welcome break for me too. Things haven’t been going so great lately. I’m glad we met,” she said.
He caught a sense of despair in her voice but decided not to pursue it.
Sheila returned once again and placed a plastic folder containing their bill on the table. “No hurry, y’all. I’ll take that whenever you are ready.”
Jack reached for the folder and removed the check.
Jana immediately reached for her purse and said, “How much do I owe, Jack. Chicken fried steak and coffee.”
“You owe nothing, Jana. This is my treat and it is not up for discussion.”
“But… wait. You…”
He looked at her with mock seriousness. “I said… it’s not up for discussion. This has been a delight and I’m grateful that you accepted my invitation.”
“Well, it’s been so nice getting to know you,” she said. “But the dinner treat is not necessary.”
He placed several bills in the folder. “There,” he said. “Done. We’ll hear no more about it.”
They rose from the table and Jack helped Jana on with her vest. She stepped away from the table as he picked up his jacket and hat. He put the hat on his head and began toward the door as he pulled on the jacket. They passed Sheila on the way out.
“Thanks, y’all. Come back to see us,” she said. “And y’all have a nice night.”
They smiled in return, each with their own thoughts.