TIME FROZEN

by

Dwayne Phillips

SMASHWORDS EDITION

* * * * *

PUBLISHED BY:

Dwayne Phillips on Smashwords

Time Frozen

Copyright © 2012 by Dwayne Phillips

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

* * * * *

TIME FROZEN

Mel Rockford pushed open the door and walked into the PJ’s Coffee House in the small town of Kentwood, Louisiana at five minutes past seven in the morning. The sun was low in the sky, normal for early January. Most of the coffee house’s business was drive through, so the only other customer inside was Billy Lee. Billy and Mel graduated high school together three decades earlier and had remained close friends.

Mel bought a small coffee and a sausage biscuit. He put creamer and sugar in his coffee while the woman behind the counter nuked the biscuit. Both tasks ended at the same time, and Mel took his breakfast to Billy’s table and sat on the padded bench seat opposite of Billy’s chair.

“You want to sit there?” asked Billy.

“Sure, why not?” answered Mel.

“The sun,” said Billy. “It hurts me to see the sun hitting you in the eyes.”

Billy was right. The low, morning sun was peeking through the drive-thru window and blinding Mel.

“I know,” said Mel. “Happens every day this time of day this time of year. It’ll be gone in five minutes. Happens every day. How was your Christmas?”

“Okay, you know. This time of life I have more stuff than I want. Just more junk. Clothes wear out and need replacing, but the rest? What do I want, another hunting rifle? I have three more than I need now. Same with the computer, it works as good as it did three years ago. What’s the use?”

“Yeah,” agreed Mel. “Same here. Nice to see the grandkids. Happiest time of my days is to hold the grandkids.”

The friends continued their chat and coffee. The subject went from the holidays to the weather to politics. Time passed without either noticing.

“Say,” said Billy. “You gonna’ move over a bit. That sun is still in your eyes.”

“Look Billy,” answered Mel, “it’s like I told you. The sun will move out of the window in a minute or two. It’s only...”

Mel stopped abruptly as he looked at his watch. The big hand was on the 6.

“This can’t be right,” said Mel.

“What can’t?” asked Billy.

“My watch,” said Mel. “Shows seven thirty.”