RP Post: The Milkshake Place

Cassidy boosted herself up on the black and white vinyl booth, to better access the table. The diner was full—every booth buzzing with people and plates and stories. Some folks wore suits and talked with quick hands, some had strollers tucked close to the table legs, and one old man across the room flipped his newspaper page like it was part of the music.

She liked that part—the music. Old country songs with twangy guitars drifted out of the silver jukebox near the pie case, songs about trains and rivers and somebody named Jolene.

Across from her, her big brother Sparrow was grinning, telling her about something funny he’d seen earlier. She nodded, even though her brain was mostly busy with the chocolate milkshake in front of her. It was huge.

Taller than her face. Topped with whipped cream that curled like a cloud and one shiny cherry, red as a stoplight. Sparrow had ordered it just for her, said she’d been a big help to him and Momma lately. That made her feel proud—quiet, warm proud, the kind that doesn’t need a lot of words.

She sipped slowly through the thick striped straw, tasting chocolate so cold it made her cheeks tingle. Behind her, in the open kitchen, the cooks yelled out numbers and names, flipping burgers on the grill with a sizzle she could almost feel in her bones. It was like they were doing a secret dance, one Cassidy didn’t know yet.

For now, she leaned on the table, bracing herself with both hands while she sipped, and hoped Sparrow would bring her back here again sometime. Maybe next time, she’d get a pie too.

Or maybe… another milkshake.

Maybe both.