Between the Lanterns Read Online Free Page A

thought we had a standing date between the lanterns. Where have you been?”
    August’s next word caught in his throat as he recognized that voice. He slowly turned his head and saw the beautiful Asian woman from the blackout. He could not believe his eyes or his luck. Granny’s spirit had definitely directed him to this restaurant today. She was always meddling in his love life, even in the afterlife, it seemed.
    “Uh, hi. Hi there. Long time no see, ma’am,” Augusts answered.
    John looked at the two attractive young people and smirked knowingly, saying, “Well, how about that?. Y’all know each other?”
    August spluttered a little trying to find a way to answer that wouldn’t embarrass him in front of this angelic woman.
    Samantha beat him to it, saying, “No, sir, not really. This very kind gentleman saved me from the dark a few weeks ago when the lights went out in New Dothan for just a minute. He was as brave and gallant as a medieval knight. Weren’t you, sweets?”
    August’s dark cheeks barely showed it, but he blushed hard and said, “Well, I wouldn’t say that, ma’am. I did what anyone would have done under the circumstances. I just tried to offer some comfort and let you know everythin’ would be alright. Heck, I didn’t even know you were a woman when the lights went out. I was just trying to be friendly.”
    John shook his head and closed his eyes, then leaned in close to mockingly whisper, “Son, never tell a beautiful lady that you didn’t know they was a woman. It don’t really sit right with them; you catch my meanin’?”
    August’s face somehow grew darker.
    “Oh it’s alright,” Samantha said, trying to make August feel more comfortable. “I didn’t know I was a woman in the dark either… August, is it?”
    “Yes, ma’am, it is, and this here is John,” he said, motioning to the older man. “We are just about to order a feast to celebrate two important women in our lives:; my granny and his wife. My treat. Ain’t that right, John?”
    John nodded in acknowledgment, understanding that August might just be trying to impress this lady.
    Samantha looked at the state of August’s work clothes, and tried real hard not to be judgmental, but being poor herself, she recognized the signs.
    Before she could say anything, old John chimed in, saying, “I hope you mean Montek’s treat, young man. I don’t want you going even more broke on my account. I’ve had my pie and my coffee. I’m alright.”
    “No, of course, I meant Montek’s treat, John,” August lied. “A slip of the tongue is all. I got a lot of Credit from them today for this weird holiday, you see, ma’am.”  
    August smiled at the gorgeous woman that he somehow felt already madly in love with, and finally learned her name by reading her name tag.  
    “Sam,” he said sweetly, “would you be so kind as to bring us two plates of meat loaf, two orders of green beans, and four home-made biscuits. After all that is gone, I’m havin’ some chocolate pie. And maybe John will have another?”
    John rubbed his calloused, old hands together in anticipation of a feast unlike any he’d had in a long time, and gleefully replied, “I can’t say no to another slice of Cheryl’s chocolate pie! Ooo-wee, meat loaf. REAL meat loaf. Today is my lucky day, y’all.”
    August and Samantha both laughed at the sweet old man’s excitement. And for just a small moment in their lives, these three people experienced what it was like in Alabama in the early days; people being kind to one another – people helping one another without any expectation of reciprocation – genuine kindness from strangers.  
    Today’s modern world was filled with too many instant gratification devices, and social media -driven interactions. No one cared to live like the old days anymore. It just took too long.
    Filled with warm feelings of kindness and happiness he hadn’t felt since Granny passed away, August decided to go all in here and add,