For The Love Of Chéri (CHAPTERS 1-112 REWRITTEN)

Chapter 4 : A Beautiful Soul

Lennon got up to go buy another coffee to go and as the lady made it, he looked out the window into the night at the large forecourt, which held the gas station and shop and led to the motel. He couldn't see clearly out the windows because the light reflected the inside of the cafeteria right back.

He felt a strange concern tugging away, deep inside him.

Was little Chéri going to be okay?

He bit his bottom lip, lost in thought. He thought that Chéri would have nowhere to stay that was warm and dry. Also that in only an hour or maybe even two, pretty Chéri could be many miles away, adrift with someone else going some other direction.

"That's two pounds sixty-five, sir."

"Uh? Oh yes, of course." Lennon said, snapping out of his daydream and searching his pocket for his wallet.

He took his coffee and stepped out of the cafe, and looked around. All he could see were other drivers and motorists who were all stranded in the yellow light of the forecourt. He stood in the doorway staring into his coffee cup, then looked at his phone.

He walked the short distance of the forecourt to his truck and looked at his phone again before getting into his cab and turning the heater on for a moment to warm the cold air up. When it was a little warmer he would undress, and get into the sleeping bag on the mattress in the back.

Wiping away the condensation from the inside of the window he saw the unmistakable, svelte silhouette of Chéri in the distance chatting to a driver and then sitting down on the front step outside the shop.

Lennon picked up his phone and looked at it, then back up out to the forecourt. He saw Chéri looking around and putting his inadequately light coat over his sweater in the cold while chatting and dusting off his legs.

Lennon could see that Chéri was having a conversation, with the group of about five men, due to how he gracefully waved his hands about as he spoke, almost as if he had to gesticulate every word with a soft movement.

How European, Lennon thought to himself as he would watch Chéri speak. Whatever they were saying must have been funny as a couple of the men were laughing.

The rain started again and could be seen as thousands of silvery diagonal darts against the yellowy light of the street lamps.

Lennon turned on the radio to hear a traffic and weather report as he sipped his coffee and gazed out the window when his phone received a message.

Lennon nearly dropped his coffee as he saw his phone come alive. Chéri had sent a copy of the picture of them and a message.

Chéri: They say nothing's happening on the roads until they reopen early 2mw morning. I'll head back down south I think. Fuck Me!

Lenny: Okay. Chéri, aren't you cold sitting there? It's raining, for goodness sake, and you've not even got a decent coat.

Chéri: Yeah I know, thanks, dad. I hadn't figured it would be this cold, wet, and fucking miserable. Tired and will probably catch my death of cold, but I'll survive.

Lenny: I ain't that old, buddy. You just need to drink less tea and more coffee!

Chéri: Can't afford all this coffee at £2.65 a time!

Lenny: Hmm.. yeah, I'm gettin' screwed by the rate of exchange. I think I'll smash my piggy bank and buy another coffee, want in?

Chéri: Well... If you insist. P. S I'm still broke, BTW

Lenny: I know! (BrokeAssBitch). Can you see me? I see you waving, BTW

Chéri: Yes I do! BTW, I'll have tea. Ty very much sir.