Emerald Wells Cafe 11, VFW Dance
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Emerald Wells Cafe - The VFW Dance
The sign on the store front read, ‘Emerald Wells Cafe’. Each morning at 6 a.m. Emmy turned the key in the front door, hit the lights, turned the little sign with the clock hands facing outward announcing ‘Open’ and made her way to the coffee machine to get the first pot brewing.
That’s how it went most mornings. This morning, Carl and the Townsends were waiting at the door for Em. Dale the Sheriff who was usually here for his breakfast early had not arrived.
Earl, the cook, drove up in his green Ford pickup and immediately wondered what was going on. The morning after the VFW dances were usually a bit slower. People were sleeping in. They were resting after a night of music and dancing. ‘What was going on?’, he asked himself.
Em, opened and barely got the lights on. Earl got the grill going and came around and said hello.
Carl was excited, "Did you see those cars Earl?", he practically squealed. Em was distracted. Earl got the coffee started.
"The cars!?", Earl shot back. "Did you see those women?". "They sure weren’t from around here! They stopped here to eat, then they heard about the dance. You woulda thought it was an invitation to a coronation, they were so excited. They raised the temperature in here, I’ll tell ya."
Em shot him a look, but Earl missed it.
"But those cars", Carl said again. "Did you ever see such beautiful cars?"
Earl sighed and went back to the kitchen. The Townsends pulled up followed closely by Tom from the Trading Post on the highway. Earl hurried with the batter for pancakes. Jimmy the delivery boy arrived at the back door, "Hey Earl, did you hear about the dance?" Earl signed for the two boxes of supplies.
Earl has trying to listen and threw hash browns on the grill at the same time. Tossed some links next to them and poured batter, seemingly all at the same time.
Dale arrived, ringing the bell above the door. He looked around at the Saturday morning crowd at the cafe, giving Em a confused look. "Morning he said to the Cafe in general."
A chorus of howdy’s came back at him.
Carl asked, "Did you get a look at all those German cars, all in one place, all at once?"
"Settle down, Carl", Dale responded. "This town has never had so much excitement. I talked to that singer the VFW hired for a long time."
"Order up", called Earl with Dale’s and the Townsends breakfast. Em was moving fast. Getting people their coffee.
"That Kenny sure was a handsome man", Em said, as she winked at Carl as she poured his coffee.
Earl threw bacon on the grill. And a thick slice of ham. Harold pulled in across the street. He was in town early this morning. Em called, "throw a steak on for Harold", through the pass through.
Earl grabbed a T-bone and threw it on the grill. The sizzle was music throughout the cafe.
"Order up", Em moved from the coffee maker as she started another pot.
Dale called over to Carl, "The Lady with the black Mercedes claimed 350 horsepower under the hood. I started to write her a ticket, just so I could get her name and address. She read me the riot act."
"That beautiful brunette driving the bright red porsche flewdown the highway last night, sounded like thunder under her hood", called Tom, "never heard anything like it. Don’t think my Chevy coulda caught her."
"I chased three teenage boys away from a silver BMW in the parking lot three times," chimed in Dale. "And that was just what was going on outside the dance."
"The little filly driving the BMW told me they just drove in from Las Vegas, imagine women driving alone at night like that" it was Harold. Em paused wondering when she had let Harold out of her sight last night.
"That Ruby", caught my eye Earl called from the back, then "Order up", the place was filling up.
Em thought, ‘Never seen these fellas, so worked up.’
George from the barbershop walked in ringing the bell, he was surprised to see everyone. Everyone was surprised to see him. Mike walked in behind him. "Hey, everyone, I suppose everyone is talking about the dance. Did you see the shiny boots those Gals were wearing. Looked like they never touched the ground. Are they here?"
"They left last night", Em told him. Half the smile left his face.
"They sure were sharp dressers", Tom added.
"Those Gals scattered to the four winds.", Dale piped up.
Em, walked through topping off cups of coffee. Clearing plates. The energy was ebbing. She paused to watch Harold eat a mouthful of steak. There was such a look about him. ‘Like a gambler’, she thought.
"Anybody seen Mck", asked Mike who Em refered to as The-Cream-of-Wheat-man who had walked in unnoticed and sat at the counter.
The end
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I sure hope them Gals made it home ok. I 'ain't heard a word from them, Knowing them, they probably stopped off in Vegas again.
Smiles
I love diner (cafe) stories because of all the different folks there waiting to be pleased with good food, gossip, and bad jokes and there are all those different waitress types. Well done...you brought the cafe to life!
hummm..has Mck come up missing for awhile...maybe left with one of those sharp dressers with the mercedez in the band..lol
Love this song..have not heard it for a long time..WOW!!
Great story..A bunch of hot, rich women with Kenny coming into a small town is sure to draw attention for sure..I hope they find Mck..he will not be happy running in that bunch for very long..haha.
Coffee please..I think I will hold a vigil for him until he returns or is noticed sitting quietly...:) up up up
Sunnie
Hello Always, has anyone checked in yet!
Hello Radioguy. Thanks for coming by, grab a seat. I'll get you a mug of coffee.
Hello Sunnie, If you did not get a chance to read Always Exploring's "A poem, Another adventure, Westward bound", where she and the 'Gals' stopped by Emerald Wells Cafe, for a little visit.
'Hold on I'll get your coffee'. My episode is just the morning after. Still no sign of Mck. I had forgotten how much I liked Kenny Rogers.
lol..oh...I will head over I must have missed that one..Do you know how I can be flagged when you publish one..I think it is the settings ..I will be back...Will get a refill in just a sec...Thanks
mck are these your hubs..or books..I couldn't find them.
I am looking and still can't find them..can they be linked to this one..I feel silly..sorry..they are probibly right before my eyes..I wasn't sure if they were part of this series or a separate story..
Mck, I'm gett'n ' plum worried. The Gals must still be on the road, no telling what their up to. Fay moved to another site, but she still checks in. While i'm waiting, i'll take a mug of coffee with one of 'them 'there bearclaws. It sure is nice and cool in here, nothing can beat this little cafe on a hot summer day.
Hello Sunnie. Your refill is coming right up. The link to Always Explorings stroy is right beneath the Video above. FOR RUBY. Can I get you something to eat. Or do you want to sit and rest.
Hello Always. Coffee and a bearclaw coming right up. Fay may be on the road starting her new adventure with her grandson and daughter. Grab a seat. relax
Mck, I bet you are right and the other two are brobably on vacation. I think i will take you up on grabbing a seat. I need to relax. I'll have a tall glass of ice cold tea and just watch the world go by.
Always, heres the glass of tea, I leave the sugar right here. relax
Hi Mck, coffee good and strong please, hi girls - oh and radioguy mind if I join you? Love Kennys song 'Lady' one of the best, an air of excitement about the place today...
Good morning Movie Master. Hey, Movie Master and Radioguy sitting together. Good conversation for sure. Here's your coffee, nice and strong, to you lilking. Glad to see you this morning.
Mck, I overslept on this one, it reminds me of a place I used to live where it took little to light the party lines with much talk, great job, dust
Good morning 50. I saved you half a pot of last nights coffee so it is good and strong. always exploring, wrote a story were several Hubba-hubba woman showed up at a VFW dance after stopping at Emerald Wells Cafe.
There is a link right below the video. No rush, relax.
That Kenny is a wild guy for sure. He is fun to party with too. Good story.
Good morning Becky. Grab a seat, I'll get your coffee. Thanks for the comment. The place was hopping this morning.
I'll slide over to Ms. Ruby's story while I drink this mug o mud, just the way I like it, and see how she set the stage, good I'm sure, thanks, dusty
I finally made it back to New York, and oh I'm so sorry, I never thought we'd cause such a stir but I do have to blame it on Ruby! lol It was her idea to meet up there and we sure did have a good ole time! I wouldn't have missed it for the world! Great hub McK and quite a tribute, you and Ruby are one in (oopppsss sorry) two in a million! Namaste'
Hello Erin, glad you made it safely back. The folks here are still talking about you and the ladies that took the cafe and town by storm.
Thanks so much for giving us the "after story". It truly was "our pleasure", thanks so much to Ruby for choreographing everything...giving me a BMW and the famous Mr. Kenny for the night...and to you all for hosting us. Hugs all around. You both are such wonderful storytellers together!
Hello Erin. Always exploring is such a treasure. She really spiced up the place, her and her posse.
I must follow the rest of your hubs :-) You got me with Kenny Rodgers Lady, I love this song and it was the one my daughter walked up the aisle to, well when I sale aisle, it was an outdoor wedding.
Hello Rosemary50. Grab a seat, I'll bring your coffee or do you prefer ice tea. Sit, relax. Kenny was a big hit. 'Lady' is a favorite of many. Glad to see you here.
Coffee would be great thanks, I'll even leave a tip for the good service :-)
Rosemary50. You are so cute, a tip for on a five cent cup of coffee. You are such a comedian.
Morning Mck,
Just stopping by for some coffee..Read that wonderful hub..thank you...
Sunnie
Good morning Sunnie. I can't tell by the time if you were up really late or really early. Here's your coffee. I am glad you had a chance to swing by and read Always hub, it was very clever. Good to see you here this morning.
I think I will need that second refill...I was up very very early...that back just won't cooperate with sleep sometimes..lol
Hope you are well...
Sunnie
Morn'n Mck, I'll have a good ole mug of black coffee while i sit here with Sunnie..... Gonna be another hot one today.
Hello ladies. Let me get that coffee right away. I hear that there are strecthing exercises that are very helpful in relaxing the muscles in the back. Well, here is the coffee. You girls sit and relax. If you need anything just give a holler.
Oh, it does look like a hot one this morning. Gonna call over to Paul's Ice and order in some extra in case the machine cannot keep up today. Thanks for the reminder.
Hi Always exploring so happy you could join me..doesn't that pie look good.....Thanks Mck..hoping those strectches do the trick..Thanks1
Afternoon everyone, I'll just join the other ladies. Could I get an icy glass of diet Coke? It's a scorcher today and the humidity is killer. Wish it would rain and drop the humidity some. Supposed to have another thunderstorm this evening.
Hello ladies that pie is fresh baked this moring, it's barely cool. Can I serve you up a big slice, maybe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream?
That pie smells so inviting, a big slice for me please and a scoop of vanilla, Hi Becky nice to see you glad you could join us.
Good morning Movie Master. Good morning Becky. That pie with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream coming right up. Becky that ice cold drink coming right up. It is going to be a hot one today. We loaded up the kitchen with ice so it will be a little cooler in here.
Thunderstorms sure make the air feel odd don't they.
Everbody ok? need anything?
Must have rained all around us. The humidity dropped so I guess it helped but it didn't rain here.
Hi Becky. Thankfully the humidity dropped. It can cause such discomfort. I spent some time in Georgia, the humidity was just so heavy. Ready for another tall iced Coke?
Yes, Please. Humidity is the bane of my existence. I was raised in NV where there is none, so my husband moves me to TN.
I have spent a little time in the South. Pleasant people, but the soaking through of clothes was never welcome. Tennessee is a beautiful state. The desert heat of the Southwest is a better choice for me. Here's your drink.
Good Morn'n McK, I think i'll have breakfast this morning, bacon and eggs well done, a cup of black coffee.... Would you please hand me the morning paper.. might as well catch up on the news while i wait. It's nice and cool in here, this heat wave has slowed me a tad....Rheumatism act'n up since the dance.
Good Morning Mck, morning ladies, coffee good and strong please mck and 2 slices of buttered toast, nice display of lillies you have over there...
Hello Always. Bacon and Eggs coming right up. Here's your coffee just the way you like it. Oh, here's the paper. Check to see if there are any sales this weekend up in Tiboron. Aren't those lillies wonderful? A nice touch, straight from the garden.
Hello Movie Master, grab a seat. Toast will be up in a minute. Strong coffee - here you go. Thanks for the lillies, the counter has never looked better.
Morn'n McK, I think i'll just have a couple slices of toast with blackberry jelly and a mug of black coffee. Checking out the juke box, there it is, 'Lady' I love that song, i'll need five nickles for this quarter, thank's.
Good morning Always. Here are the nickles. The coffee is coming right up. Toast and jelly will be here in a minute. Grab a seat. The crowd will enjoy the song you selected.
..this may well be your signature piece - what a grand idea you had with this one - and to keep it going - that's novel in itself ......
are you familiar with DEXTER YARBROUGH's behind the white house dialogue between Michelle and Barrack?
That's a great series too, as is DRBJ's legendary interview series - you have struck up with some mighty fine company Mister M .......
lake erie time 12:26am
Hello Epi. I know of Dexter's work. I have visited his Hub but have yet to dive into the series. But I know you would not recommend something that was not worth the time.
I have read several of DRBJ's interviews they are so creative.
I am more than a little surprised how this series keeps being appreciated. When I saw your comment emails arrive I was sitting here writing another episode.
Morn'n Mike, Excuse me, but did i hear that handsome young man say something about a man named Dexter writn'n about the Whitehouse. I gotta read that!! I'll have my mug of coffee and toast while i wait on the girls. Thank's
Morn'n Always. Here's that hot mug of coffee. Yes, that handsome young wildly creative gentleman mentioned Dexter's work. And with a recommendation like that, his success is assured.
May I say I love Dexter..he is so funny and one creative guy like you said..I just read something this morning and had me laughing out loud..
I am going to admit that I stopped over at Dexter's and saw him on 20th is a series and did not dive in. I'll head back over there today, heck with mowing the yards.
Well, I tried going over to Dexter's place, seems i had his name spelled wrong. Silly me. I'll try again. Thank's Sunnie. I know you wouldn't 'steer' me wrong. Hee
You will have a blast..More coffee ...I told Mck I would help a bit while he ran to TL's hub..
Hello ladies. I'm back from TL's, not sure I did the place justice, but the ball is back in his Royal court.
I hope I did okay...the customers were fantastic..had a nice visit...I read your comment on TLs page and what a fantastic one it was..you are right..back in the royal court..lol
If you don't mind, may i ask who TL is? I hate to be nosey, but you know we Girls like to keep up with the latest gossip, seems this little town is full of juicy goodies. You have a good day, you hear!!
I had to go see what you were all doing to me. Bad people, are you sure you are my friends?
TL is Twilight Lawns. Sweet and interesting man.
Love you Becky....
Sunnie I have never seen the customers happier. So you did great. It does not seem like I had been gone that long. Thanks for the help. I know where to turn to when an extra hand might be needed.
Becky - I am sure.
Always when you visit Twilight Lawns, make sure to give yourself some extra time.
Ok, I will forgive you all.
Brilliant and thank you so much for sharing. I am catching up with as many hubs as I can read today and yours are gems.
Take care
Eiddwen.
Good morning Eiddwen. Good to see you here. Grab a seat I'll bring you a cup of tea.
I'm really enjoying this series Mck. Sort of a cross between Alice's Restaurant, Steel Magnolias and the diner in The Majestic, with Jim Carey. The comments thread is a hoot too.
Hello Peg. Thank you so much. Here let me get you an Iced Tea. I enjoyed 'The Majestic', I'll have to find it on cable and watch it again. 'The Steel Magnolias', just moved in. haha The song 'Alice's Restaurant', I haven't thought about in years, but yes, now that you mention it.
If not for the wonderful comments sections of these stories, I would have boarded up this place episodes ago. I very much enjoyed your visit today.
VFW Dance is a winner....like all the car talk and the different thoughts on the different cars....reading your comments...I would also agree The Majestic comes to mind when reading this series. Voted up and awesome.
Cogerson. Thanks for the visit. Did you happen to see the link to Always Explorings Hub. She inspired this Hub. Her Hub is a wild ride. The Majestic as in the old movie theater? That is a great movie.
I guess it was you, Mck, who came unnoticed and unperturbed by either women, dance or the whole commotion.
Neither dresses nor shiny boots... Did you come in with a book as well?
I would assume Heinlein. But so early in the morning. You forgot to specify what was the colour of the cafe:
1) inside
2) outside.
For the outside I am offering you:
1) Bayou;
2) Morning Breeze;
3) Castle Moat.
Mike, what is VFW? I looked it up, but I am not quite sure I am right.
And I was wondering what excites men more, women or cars?
I was betting on cars. And I am sure the Emeralds Cafe visitors have not seen anything like this:
http://www.torontohippotours.com/
I will come back to read.
You have such good ideas.
Thanks for the link. Now, I know what a swimming bus is, my brain must have been switched off. I'll tell you that the picture that came to mind was a bus, with wheels, but inside had a spa/juccuzi - which is an interesting thought.
All three colors Bayou, Morning Breeze and Castle Moat evoke the senses. I can see you have been spending much time standing in front of that wall of little color patches that never look like the wall once you are finished. I hope that project has begun moving smoothly. There is a request (sounded like a command) that I 'paint the house'. I am so-motivated.
VFW stands for Veterans of Foreign Wars. (Like there are domestic wars) It is a club- there is usually a bar. The common interest is that the members all share a military experience. The plus is they usually have a building that functions can be held. Always Exploring published a Hub that happened near Emerald Wells Cafe. The next morning I published this -a complimentary piece.
As far as women and cars or women in cars, I cannot speak for the male population. I can say I never had fun washing a car.
And Mck did sneak in to listen. To observe, and for cream-o-wheat breakfast.
Good - put the time of day/night, Mike. Here in Toronto, it is a few minutes before midnight.
Just like Epi - Toronto, North, 12:04, oh, make it 12:42.
I am so tired. I am sorry I left your comments unanswered. I was ... right... painting. Daniel came. He approved the design - "Now I am a big boy". He is actually very motivated to help with choosing colours for the hall. He even told me - "this peach will not look good with ..." I am having one idea crazier than the other.
Jacuzzi? Why not? Having a conversation in a jacuzzi might very stimulating. Ian will not need his famous "bath chair". You don't have to wash a car, you can pick one of us for washing...
I know you would refuse and jacuzzis are not for washing (for washing we will have to go to Turkish Baths, they have washers - I regret that when I was in Turkey I did not go. I went though for a massage - nude - I still don't understand how I ... My ex was fine with it, too.)
I have never washed a car - when I had a car, I had a husband, he took care of it. But I have once washed a woman - it felt nice - I felt so generous and full of myself. Just like a monkey picking fur).
Now, the most idiotic question: "What is cream-o-wheat breakfast"?
Hello Svetlana. This evening I will just answer the easy question. 'Cream-o-Wheat' is a hot breakfast cereal similar to oatmeal. Oatmeal is thick textured, cream-o-wheat is very fine similar to a thick tomato soup. It is suppose to be healthy. My choice as a description is the blandness of it. The colorless plainess of it. It is there but no one sees it.
Svetlana, I am so glad that Daniel didn't do what some would do and say they did not like it after all the hard work and attention you put into it. He is a good son. And that he offered to help with the hall is a great indicator. What a little champion.
Jacuzzi? Why not? It does change the story. What we get out of the jacuzzi and walk through the lobby of nice hotels in bathrobes? What would people think? Us standing there dripping puddles on the floor.
"I know you would refuse", you are probably right, but how do you know? What clue have I left?
It is an oddity of life that people who are normally reserved, will go and take their clothes off and get a massage. They treat it as if it were a doctors appointment. It is one of those mysteries those that just observe ponder.
Now see, you have washed a woman, and felt 'nice', like a monkey picking fur. But if I approached a lady and said, 'please, can I pick your fleas', all hell would breakout.
Get some rest, you earned it from all the painting you have been doing. Have a pleasant day.
Mike, I am sorry I have not responded to your comments.
I even was deluded today that I could begin putting Chapter 3 together - but I am too tired. Ian asked me via Facebook "I am getting worried. Am I still in Rome?"
Yes, we are still in Rome. Stuck. No planes or trains (no means of transportation) are permitted to go out. Nobody is leaving even on foot. The writer is busy.
I keep writing that Chapter in my head - it goes in slightly different directions... It would be nice to finally put it down and go from there. But...
There are some bath or baths... well it depends.
And I will say the rest on your other hub.
Hello Svetlana. You updated your avatar. Very nice. Me personnaly am enjoying Rome. The city the lights, the sounds, the food, the company. Walking through the ruins, no hurry. Cafe coffee, and light pastry before a walk through shops. What could be better.
Oh, Svetlana, I just thought of what could be better, to go to a club, and those that are light of foot and light of heart could dance.
Juicy one!!! Thumbs up!
Another wonderful part....I have to scroll so far down to make a comment--Your Emerald Wells Cafe is a sure hit!!!!
Hello Maggie. Thanks for the visit. I had fun with this because Always Exploring was so kind to visit with all of her friends in a seperate Hub. Have a good evening.
Ah yes, I see the collaboration in this one, will follow that link to get the whole picture, the characters in your stories are so real with just a sketch and a bit of dialogue, this takes some talent, really good writing mckbirdbks!
Thanks snakeslane. I always say the imagination of those that read these stories are my friend. This ine was fun.
Mike,
I'm wondering if there's trouble in Paradise.
Em didn't seem too happy with Harold's comment about the "filly", lol.
Not a smooth move on his part. ;)
femme
Hello femme - 'Men!, what are you going to do?'
Mike,
It's probably not good to ask me what I'd do, lol!!!
There are some areas in which I fail at being gracious and lady-like. :p
femme
Hello femme. The excitment of the VFW dances just never ends. lol
always exploring Level 8 Commenter 10 months ago
Oh man, I'm listening to Kenny sing as i write. I love that song, ' Lady' Boy we sure stirred up the town folks with 'them fancy cars. Be sure and tell Earl that i'm sorry that i missed him. We had the time of our life at your special little cafe. Thank you for adding this to my story. You made my day bright.
Cheers