A Peace of War......part one

That January day of 1947 was very cold and being in the windy city of Chicago made it even colder for a young man who was about grow old in his heart. The brass bell on a spring jingled as he opened the door of his favorite cafe. He walked in, shook the cold from his overcoat and ran both of his hands back over his mussed hair.

Jolly's Cafe was packed. The chatter of voices, clanging of dishes being gathered and laughter of soldiers sitting in a far booth filled the room. Every booth and stool at the counter was filled except for a young woman who was sitting alone...across from an empty chair.

The young man removed his coat, draped it on the back of the empty chair and asked,"Miss...mind if I sit here?" He could only see the bottom of her face as he heard her say very clearly,"Only if you don't tell me your name or ask for mine." He was a little stunned at her answer. His first thought,"What a frigid little witch." She didn't look up at all...she was reading from a small ragged brown covered book.

As he eased down to the chair, he waved to get a waitress's attention and spoke out,"The usual Maggie!" The waitress smiled and nodded her head...she didn't hear him over the noise but she read his lips. The young man leaned down a little to try and see more of the young woman's face.

She slowly raised her head and without any expression,turning her eyes to him... she asked,"Do you want to have sex?" The young man's mouth fell wide open as his face began to blush. He quickly scanned the people sitting close to them to see if the heard what she'd said. The people were busy gabbing about the weather and complaining about the cost of rebuilding the Axis nations.

He nervously said," Uh...well...uh...are you a...you know?" He looked into the most beautiful hazel eyes as she said without any emotion,"No...I am not a prostitute...I am however, a twenty six year old woman who wants to have sex....just answer the question."

He looked and saw the waitress, Maggie...bringing his coffee and sweet roll on two saucers. Maggie noticed his red face beneath his slicked back blond hair and said,"Let me see...a very pretty lady and a handsome young man who is blushing and." The young woman cut her off and coldly said,"Please finish your business....time is precious...we are going to have sex in less than an hour...if the gentleman wishes."

Maggie gasped and spilled a little of the coffee as she placed it in front of the young man. As Maggie spun around quickly and walked away angrily mumbling...the young man said,"Come on Miss...Maggie's a sweetheart...why would you treat her that way?"

The young woman locked her eyes to his and said with a stone tone,"I am sure that she is very sweet but I have a plane to board in less than five hours." She closed her little book, stuffed it in a pearl lined beaded purse and continued,"I am going to leave now...If you wish to have sex with me...I am just down at the Ramsen Hotel....ninth floor...room 907."

She stood up and pushed her chair under the table. She unbuttoned a pocket on her red wool coat that had been draped over here lap and pulled out a silver clip of money. She placed a ten dollar bill on the table...sliding it beneath her cup of half drank tea. The young man grinned and said,"Wow...that must have been some fine tea."

As she put her coat on...she said with a slight smile,"Money is just a number....come and find out what 907 means." She smiled as she pulled her long, straight...reddish brown hair from under her coat collar. She kissed her closed right fingers and gently placed her hand on his face. He felt the warmth of her touch and the wax of her deep red lipstick.

He stared at her curving shape beneath the buttoned coat as she walked towards the door. When she got outside...he watched her walk by the window, wrapping her face with a black scarf while holding on to her hat. He mumbled to himself as he leaned to watch her as far as possible,"That is one crazy broad."

He turned from the window to see Maggie holding the ten dollar bill...spread apart with her fingers and eyes gleaming. She said with excitement,"Oh my...this is half my rent, Frank....I can't believe that rude harlot left me such a tip." He looked at her, smiled and said,"I think she is a few bricks shy of a full load....but man...those bricks she has are stacked."

Maggie rushed behind the counter...huddled and giggled with two other waitresses. Frank took a bite of his sweet roll and wondered how sweet the young woman's lips would taste. He sipped his coffee and began to imagine slowly removing her hat...passionately kissing her...unzipping her cream colored dress at the side and ravaging her body! After a sigh...he whispered to himself,"This is nuts...absolutely nuts...but Frankie....she is drop dead gorgeous and this is an opportunity...damn...what an opportunity!"