Joyce raised the hatch and made her way to the far end of the diner carrying a fresh pot of coffee. A mug crashed onto the floor immediately in front of her.
"Oops! Sorry Joyce. My gigantic clumsy fingers again."
"Did you break another cup, James? I've a good mind not to give you another refill."
"I'll pay for the cup."
"Don't worry about it. There are far worse things in life to break than a bit of crockery – a storm in a coffee cup is no biggy. But you could always stick a little extra on your tip."
"That I'll do. Thanks Lola."
"Alice, could you grab another cup for Mr Vega here? Or maybe one of those plastic tumblers we give to the little ones? Thanks my dear. Here, I'll fill it for you. Now look after this one, you hear?"
"Affirmative commander." replied the trucker, performing a mock salute and grinning.
"It's about time you showed me the proper respect, Mr Vega." said Joyce, smiling back at him.
"Yes Ma'am."
Joyce moved over to a booth in the corner. "Hello there and welcome. Are you ready to order yet or do you need more time? Would you like some coffee?"
"No coffee for us, thanks. I think our little one already knows what she wants, but we're still looking."
Joyce placed the coffee pot down on an empty table nearby before bending down to talk to the small child sitting in the corner booth.
"Oh my! Well aren't you the just the prettiest little girl there ever was? What's your name sweetheart?"
The small girl dropped her gaze to the table and mumbled something inaudible.
"I'm sorry." said the girl's mother. "She's awfully shy I'm afraid."
"Well, we can't have that now, can we? You know, little munchkins who tell me their name get free candy, so do you want to try again but just a little louder, sweetpea?"
"'s Max. My name's Max."
"What a simply gorgeous name! My name's Joyce. What would you like for your munchies, little Max?"
"Some Skweekinax please. 'n' egg 'n' bakey."
"Coming right up, and I'll bring you your candy afterwards. Is that alright?"
Max nodded shyly, then raised her gaze to look at Joyce. "'nk you. 's my birthday today."
"How wonderful! How old are you?"
"'m three."
"Well well. Isn't that just delightful? I think we can also rustle up a tiny wee cake just for you as well. How does that sound?"
"Super."
"Alright then little one. Now let's see if your mom and pop have decided what they would like."
"Just oatmeal for me please." said the girl's mother.
"Bigfoot bacon omelette for me. And a glass of milk for Max and two fresh orange juices please." added the father.
"Ryan! Your diet."
"It's Max's birthday. I'm celebrating. Relax."
"I'll just go get your order. It won't be long. Please make yourselves at home. It will be here in a flash, little Max." Joyce turned around and the door burst open suddenly.
"Mom! Look what Daddy got me! Do I look awesome?"
"Wow! Look at you my pirate princess! A sword and everything. Hi dear. Take a seat and I'll get to you soon. I have a VIP to take care of first – a very special birthday girl."
"Okay love. Come on Chloe, you know where we sit."
"Sure do Daddy. Race you slowpoke!"
"Hey, you cheated!"
"Did not! Daddy is a loser!"
"Look Mommy, she's a pirate. Can I be a pirate too please?"
"Maybe later Max."
"I'll see what I can do baby. I'll be back in a moment."
"Ryan, can't it wait until after we've eaten?"
"I'm only going to ask where they got the things from. I'll just be a second."
"Fine, but she's not having a sword. I won't allow it."
"But I wanna sword Mommy!"
"Will you take a day off? It's her birthday – if she wants a sword she can have one."
"Well don't blame me when she begins to have violent tendencies."
"That's simply ridiculous! It's just a toy."
"That's how it starts."
Ryan turned his back on his wife, shaking his head, and walked over to speak to William. "Hello. Excuse me. Sorry to intrude. I just wanted to ask where you got the pirate outfit – my little girl wants one. It's her birthday today."
"Not a problem. You're in luck. They're selling them right outside in the car lot."
"Thank you. Much appreciated."
"Is that your little girl over there?"
"Yes it is."
"She looks close to Chloe's age. Feel free to join us if you wish. They'd be good company for each other, I think. Is that alright with you, Chloe?"
"Sure Daddy." beamed Chloe, waving her new sword around.
"That's an excellent idea. Thank you. My name's Ryan. Nice to meet you."
"William. Nice to meet you too." The two men shook hands.
"I'll just go and tell my wife. Be back shortly." Ryan spoke to Vanessa and his daughter before exiting the diner.
"Hello there. Very nice of you to join us. My name's William. Please, take a seat. We'll all manage to squeeze in somehow."
"Thank you. My name's Vanessa and this is Max. Say hello Max."
"Ullo." mumbled Max as she fiddled with her hands nervously.
"Hello Max. A little birdy told me it's your birthday today." said William.
"Hi. Whaddya get for your birthday?" asked Chloe.
"Um. A doll that shines in the dark. 's got blue hair."
"Blue hair? Awesomesauces! One day I'm gonna have blue hair."
"I think your mom would have plenty to say about that, Chloe."
"I would have plenty to say about what? And I see you're all getting along nicely."
"Our precious pirate princess here has suddenly decided that she wants blue hair."
"Over my dead body, Chloe Elizabeth Price."
"Awww Mom. But I'd look sooooo cool."
"Your hair is beautifully brown, and it's staying that way. Hello again."
"Vanessa. Nice to meet you."
"And you too. Your order is nearly ready. Should I bring it to this table?"
"Er...yes. I suppose so."
"Excellent! I think Max and Chloe will get along just fabulously. Chloe's certainly not shy at all. If anyone can help bring young Max out of her shell, it'll be our Chloe."
"Hmmm. Yes, I can already see that." said Vanessa.
Chloe had already moved around the table to sit next to the younger girl.
"'m gonna be a pirate too, jus' like you. My pop's gone to buy the things."
"Awesome. We can play together. Look, here's your pop now."
"Here you go my baby. Now you can be Max Sparrow."
"Max Sparrow? Like that man from the movie? Super! 'nks Pop." smiled Max.
"Max Sparrow and Cap'n Chloe Price, the Pirates of Arcadia Bay. I think you'll make a great team." said William, smiling down at the two new-found friends.