Hey There Delilah

“Whole lotta corn.”

Every time Jimbob came through this sector, that’s all he saw. Nothing but corn on sections of asteroid, surrounded by domes. Any freight driver would just hit up the space gate straight home. But that isn’t what Jimbob does, going through has the best kept secret in the solar system.

Delilah’s diner.

Only found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. Delilah’s diner set up during the gold rush back in 2150′s. Miner’s needed food as they mined, but when the Union Earth saw how much actual gold was actually coming out. The Union sliced off any chance for freelancers to get their cut. Then Union Earth nearly went under due to the depression, if it hadn’t been for the freighters.

Space flight became more accessible as cities started putting population limits. With that came more settlements, that turned into their own cities, Creating more need for freight drivers. The only way to those cities though was through the old asteroid belt.

That’s where Jimbob came in. He has been a Freight driver ever since the Union Earth started paying people to do it.Which had been about forty years now. Forty long years of driving freight across the stars. Before he only went as far as Jupiter’s moons. With the new space gate, it’s been more trips to Pluto settlements needing a whole lot of supplies. Making Jimbob’s trips longer, and his excitement that much more built up. His excitement to stop by Delilah’s Diner didn’t have Jimbob thinking about his aching back. Or his tired legs, or his sore butt. All he could think about was a nice cup of coffee and cheesy grits. No, that’s a lie.

Jimbob turned the wheel sharply. A stray asteroid flew a little too close for comfort. He didn’t have any supplies right now and whenever he stops by, he tries to not have anything hitched unless he is coming from

earth, where the asteroids are usually lighter in numbers.It had been a surprise that the space gate had been constructed so fast. He could only guess that with too many people and Freight drivers getting killed by the asteroid belt’s clutter, Union Earth saw the necessity of getting it done. To him though, going through all this debris was his metaphorical and literal walk to heaven. Delilah’s Diner could be found at Prospectors cove.

The largest Asteroid in the sector. It had been invigorated over the ten-year gold rush. To stay in place, it had 5 large Solaric engines that surrounded the oblong rock, only three still worked. It had been a kind of landing area for those wanting to set up shop or to bounce to the next mining field. Many of the shops that had setup, which ranged under 20 stores, only 5 remained. Only essential shops still in business. Delilah’s was the only restaurant in the entire asteroid belt.

Jimbob started his entry routine. Turning the main engines off and getting the approval for landing. since there disconnection from the main trading routes. Not many people would land here, so it didn’t take long for approval to come through from the AI. Landing had become almost hands-free process, but Jimbob never lost that distrust toward AI. Too many factors to be left to one thing. Even then, Prospector’s landing stalls had been so outdated that when the Solaric company came by to install the AI, they had to install a whole new subsystem that pulled power from one of the nearby engines. They never installed the additional arms that would grab the rigs, so even if he wanted to use the auto-landing sequence, he technically couldn’t.

Once locked and sealed in, Jimbob hopped out of his seat and made his way to the air walkway.

Stepping in, He looked through the window as the doors sealed his rig into an air dock, then moved into the main bubble, taking his “ticket” along the way. Its just a digital receipt sent to his account stating they will fill up the rig and charge storage for how many days he decided to stay. once that had been settled. Jimbob went straight to Delilah’s.

Age had not been kind to Jimbob. Sitting for forty years had given him a stomach and most of his walking was more of a shuffle. So, it isn’t too big of a surprise that his chest beat harder than what healthier versions of himself should. But that beat held more than a fast Pace. Jimbob had a kind fervor he hadn’t felt since he was a young man. He knew why. It wasn’t just the food that kept him coming back.

The walk to Delilah’s wasn’t far. By the time he left the pre-docking garage, Jimbob had already made it to the front entrance. The hard stone of the sun bleached road feeling like a cloud. He flew up the steps, but for a man his age it was more like one foot achingly in front of the other. Pulling open the front door he stepped into the dinner and met the aroma of a hot, fresh meal. A long counter with a metal top ran the length of the restaurant, and a kitchen behind it. At the windows sat booths, from the door to the end other side of the restaurant. With Delilah’s Diner only being three yards in length. It wasn’t the largest Diner but could fit plenty of people.

On the other side of the counter stoodDelilah, her graying hair in a bun, her eyes crinkled on the sides as a sweet smile crossed her lips. The Diner had slowed down with it being noon on earth time, so most people were working or about to go on break for lunch, leaving Jimbob alone with Delilah. That left him with an even bigger smile.

Stepping to his normal stool, Jimbob sat at the fifth from the door. Then the routine began. A routine Jimbob would never complain about. Delilah would start with, “how you been darlin” with one hand on her hip. He would say, “Still Trucking” with a sigh, then she would chuckle lightly and get a mug and pour some warm coffee. The sigh would turn into a smile to Delilah, and she would return that Smile with her own. From there, they would hold each other’s gaze. Jimbob never knew for how long. It could be a minute or an hour, but it didn’t bother him one bit. Jimbob could stare at her green eyes forever. He just never knew if she enjoyed his. So, he always broke eye contact first to take a sip of coffee.

Then they would catch up, Delilah always wanted to hear what he had been doing. Same old Stuff, Moving Supplies, taking the jump gate to Pluto, there had been a lot of orders for that tiny planet. They have been calling it the gate to the universe. It looked like a blue rock to him.

“I did get a few good pictures while I was out there, I have to show you later”

“I would like that” she smiled.

Jimbob smiled back.

They both placed their hands near each other. Almost touching, almost, but never held.

“So how has it been around here, I know a lot doesn’t change, but it is nice to hear about you.”

Delilah looked up in thought

“Well, that’s awfully sweet of you. And I would assume you mean it if you go so far out of your way”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, this ain’t anymore out of the way than it is to hop onto the jump gate from Mars.”

The ring of the bell signaled new customers. Delilah went straight to work, getting some menus and shifting to the open spot for her to get to the booths, while she did this, Delilah left a comment to Jimbob.

“The closest jump gate here is on Jupiter’s moon, Titan.” Delilah laughed.

Jimbob felt himself melt at Delilah’s gentle laugh.

When She moved over to the two farmers, Delilah greeted them like old friends. That was no surprise. When you live on an asteroid town, you don’t meet too many new people without knowing the old people for twice as long. So, Jimbob allowed himself to sip on his coffee with a small smile growing on his face. He always enjoyed seeing Delilah work. As a Freight driver, life got a bit lonely. So lonely, Jimbob thought about maybe turning into a server, just to make up for the time lost without people. But then again Jimbob knew he would miss that Freight life far more. Once Delilah points the two farmers orders to the cook. She came back with drinks for them.

Jimbob found himself staring at the picture of him and Delilah. It had been Union Earth day, the republic’s largest day off. Celebrating the First stations 50th year since completion. Of course, most people don’t see it as that. Its just another day to celebrate not needing to work so damn hard. He had swung by after dropping off grain on Mars proper. When he had arrived, there were far more people still in Prospector back then and he was at least 30 pounds lighter and freighting for at least 10 years then. Delilah and him had been talking for a long time at that point. He could reasonably say they were friends. That year though was also the anniversary when Franklin died. An accident on one of the mining platforms he had been managing, was struck by a rouge astroid. Thirty people had died.

Delilah had been devastated, couldn’t work for almost a month. It had also been the first year he had taken time off in over 10 years. He had spent all that time with her, helping her get back on her feet. To see the world outside of the gray she had found herself in. Their friendship had grown stronger for it.

When he had arrived to find her drinking alone in her diner, it had been one part surprise and many parts worry. She had been crying. At the time he thought she was upset about Franklin. She had mumbled about feeling terrible and about betraying his memory. He hadn’t fully understand what she had meant, and had chalked it up to just a person grieving. The next day she had gotten up before him, even though he hadn’t been drinking at all in comparison to her now three quarter empty bottle. They spent the day together, sitting under the apple tree Franklin had planted 5 years back. She didn’t stop looking at him.

Delilah returned to Jimbob.

“Well, it has been a pretty standard year. Farmers put down their crops and it’s been growing mighty fine. But this year has had an interesting addition”

“Oh, how so?” Jimbob took another sip of coffee.

“Well, a fella with a nice suit and trimmed hair, clean face. He’s been going around buying up people’s farms. Picking up a lot of older families that haven’t been doing well. Even coming by here asking about the diner

This pulled Jimbob right back from his next sip.

“You’re not thinking of selling the place, are ya?” Jimbob felt himself grow red. He hadn’t meant to outburst like that. But what can he say, he loves Delilah’s Diner.

Delilah shifted slightly, holdingher elbows, her face growing conflicted

“I haven’t thought about it before. I’ve been working here for so long by myself, and I just feel like life has been on repeat. My late husband used to handle a lot of the expenses and taxes back when the miners were still setting up here. But that was twenty years ago.” Delilah sighed.

She placed her left hand on the counter and her right still holding her arm.

“I don’t know what I am going to do, there aren’t too many people left in this sector. And the old place is already running on fumes.”

“It can’t be.” Jimbob cried.

“I’m sorry, but you have the best place in the whole sector.”

Delilah rolled her eyes as a smile grew on her face.

“I’m the best, because I’m the only one left, and I don’t think I’ll have much of a choice soon. who knows how many people will be left after this year or even next.”

Delilah reached under the counter and refilled Jimbob’s cup.

Ding!

“It’s ready, Delilah” Billy the cook called from his window.

Delilah gave a nod and took out the food to the two farmers. As She did, Jimbob thought about Delilah’s Predicament. Times were changing, and so were they.

Eventually, even Jimbob’s job would get taken up to. He felt a kind ofsolidarity with Delilah. She is a sweet person who just wants to give everyone a home cooked meal and a family, but the cynic in Jimbob knew dreams like that don’t last forever. Especially, when this asteroid had been falling deeper away from the people that lived here,but what could he do for her. Maybe a ride. or maybe a home.

Jimbob shook his head as his ears burned

Would Delilah like to come with him, He always thought of staying for her. Yet, he never

knew her thoughts of him. She always had a smile, but she is a server, it’s her job to smile at customers.

But, busy or slow, she always seems ready to talk with him. Jimbob never felt so conflicted before. What if she said no? What if She said yes? What would they do, they would have a solid week before he had to go back out. And what if she realizes that she doesn’t want that life

Jimbob had scrunched up his face in thought, so much so that when Delilah came back, she asked if he was okay.

“Yea, yea I’m alright. Just thinking.”

“About?”

“Well, I was thinking...” Jimbob swallowed, his throat going dry.

He had lived for so long with life teaching him to be brave. Why had this become so difficult?

“I was thinking, if you do plan to sell the old place. Maybe you could come with me, back to earth.”

The forks had stopped moving. A silence fell over the diner that would have been deafening if not for the kitchen hood in the back.

It was a simple question and he was a simple man. The words meant what they meant. Go back to Union Earth. Start a new life. Prospector wasn’t going to be here in ten years. Most people knew that eventually this desolate rock would eventually go to some company, who’ll likely convert it to a full mining facility, and no one will likely care. Not many would care about an old outpost that got decommissioned. But it wasn’t just that that worried him. It was the ache in his chest that hoped for something more than just being a delivery driver. That somewhere in vast space of the universe he had a chance at someone that was his friend. Someone who has been his friend and he for her. That in the vast space of the universe the only face he wanted see at the end of it, was hers. He didn’t know when it happened. Maybe it was when they accidentally touched each others hands. Maybe when it was when they took that photo right next to the apple tree. When she looked him in the eyes and with most genuine smile he had ever seen on her, which were common, but this one. This one had taken his heart in a single swing.

Jimbob felt his heart pound against his chest. He thought he was having a heart attack. He found it hard to look Delilah in the eyes, Jimbob thought he would die if he did. Whatever answer she had, it was in her eyes.

A small crack formed on Jimbob’s heart, it felt like forever when her answer came. He kept his eyes on his hands. Then Delilah’s thinner hands crept into Jimbob’s vision. Slowly across the metal, until she finally grasped his. Jimbob found himself snapping backup, making eye contact with Delilah. The diner had grown focused, a tension that could be hit by a freighter and it wouldn’t break. It’s requirements were only to be met by what Delilah said next. All he could do was stare into her eyes as she smiled at him. The feeling of radiance coming from her. As they stared into each other, a feeling of complete joy filled Jimbob as the answer said itself. A new feeling of excitement growing in his chest, as life grew strangely new.