Out on Route 51 on the edge to Calhoun County you will find the Gas and Gulp Truck stop.  Originally, the Gas and Gulp people were going to put the truck stop on Route 51 down by North County, but State Representative Pettigrew intervened and the Gas and Gulp people decided it would be to their advantage to put it right outside Calhoun County. 

(There are those that say some money and tax advantages were given by State Representative Pettigrew, but we all know that State Representative Pettigrew would never sink that low, or would he?)

There are several waitresses at the Gas and Gulp, most of them have only been there a short while, but Marge has been there ever since it opened.  Those that go to the Gas and Gulp know Marge well.  She always has a smile and a kind word for those whose table she waits on.  It would be unthinkable to think of the Gas and Gulp and not think of Marge. 

John Fitswillow drives a truck and comes into the Gas and Gulp every afternoon about the time Marge is getting off.  Every afternoon for the past six years, John has asked Marge out. Every afternoon for the past six years, Marge has said no. 

You see, when John looks at Marge, he sees all those things he has ever wanted in a woman. He knows that Marge doesn't really know he's alive, but he keeps trying and hopes one day he will succeed and Marge will go out with him. He is willing to keep trying, no matter how long it might take.

Marge goes home after a long day at work, sits down and takes her shoes off.  As she looks out the window of her apartment she sees Route 51, going off into the distance and wonders what lies out there.  In all her time being a waitress at the Gas and Gulp truck stop she has never even thought of going out with one of her customers.  For the last six years her whole life has been at the Gas and Gulp truck stop. 

Sure, she thought that maybe one day, she might settle down.  Who knows she might even find out where route 51 goes. As she gets ready for bed she thinks about John who has asked her out so many times and wonders why she always says no.  He's not like the other customers; he doesn't say rude things and has never patted her on the ass. And when he looks at her she knows he sees her.

It's Friday afternoon and business is busy as usual at the Gas and Gulp truck stop.  John is sitting in his usual booth by the door waiting for Marge to leave for home.  Waiting once again to ask her if she will go out with him, knowing once again she would say no. Marge is in a backroom taking off her apron, looking out at John waiting for her.  She knows that John is going to ask her out once again only she knows that this time she is going to say yes. 

Last night, she thought about it and decided that there had to be more to life than being a waitress and perhaps, maybe perhaps, John would be able to show her what that was. 

© 10/26/2005 Tina L. Rice