Yearly Harvest - A True Story of Christmas

The Right Spot


About time, Jin Duyen thought to herself with a sigh. She pulled her car off of the road to park in front of a corner store across the street from her destination. The Right Spot was the name of the most popular dining facility in the town of Selah. To Jins surprise, the parking lot was completely filled. Even the handicap spots were taken. The Selah population was relatively large for a small town but this was unexpected.
After turning off the engine, Jin climbed out of her vehicle and started across the street. There was an SUV going by at close to thirty-five miles per hour. She thought about jogging to beat it but the driver sped up immediately. Jin stopped in her tracks to allow the vehicle to pass. The driver gave her a disgusted glance, which she returned. Well, that was kind of rude. Jin lived in a busier city not far away where people would stop to enable several pedestrians in a row to cross the road. At least around this time of year. Youd think in a smaller town...
Shrugging this off, Jin rushed across the now empty street. A family of four came out through the double glass doors that led into the restaurant. A father, mother, and two little boys between the ages of four and eight. Jin smiled and began to say Merry Christmas when she noticed the expressions on their faces. None of them seemed to be in the mood for pleasantries. Jeez.
The mother stopped to hold the door open, and Jin thanked her while stepping inside. If the parking lot was any indication, the restaurant was as crowded as a mall on a Friday night. Of course the customers were totally different. There were mostly families seated at the dozens of tables all around her. At the far end of the room was a counter, separating the customers from the kitchen area. A menu consisting of a variety of foods and drinks stretched across a panel above the counter. A woman carrying a menu and wearing a red apron approached Jin with a broad smile.
Good afternoon, maam. Welcome to The Right Spot. My name is Wendy and Ill be serving you. How is everything today?
Great, you? Jin asked, returning the smile.
Wonderful, Wendy replied. She motioned for Jin to follow her before turning and walking toward the left.
In addition to being the most popular restaurant in town, The Right Spot was also one of the few. Jin had seen only one of the normally prominent fast food chain restaurants since entering Selah. That was a Burger King on the border of a forest a mile away from the rest of the community. There had been only one or two customers inside. Jin also found it peculiar that Wendy hadnt given her the option of smoking or non-smoking. She gazed around the room, noting that no one appeared to have cigarettes out anyway. Maybe a benefit of the town around Christmastime?
Wendy led her to a small round table near the center of the left half of the room. There was a woman wearing a black leather jacket and dark jeans at another single table to the left of hers. She was drinking from a bottle of what appeared to be a fancy type of wine. On the other side of Jins table sat one of the dozens of families. The father and mother were talking to each other while their daughter played around with her food. She had a full plate of spaghetti and was twirling her fork around inside of it. Her eyes were on the plate but her mind was obviously elsewhere.
Do you want me to bring you anything to drink? Wendy asked, once Jin was seated.
Orange juice?
Coming right up, Wendy nodded. Let me know when youre ready to order. Ill be back. Theres twenty of us working today so dont worry.
Thanks, Jin giggled.
Wendy turned to leave when she caught sight of the woman in black. She had long, brown, curly hair and her face was currently hidden from Jins perspective. Wendy stepped over to her and sighed.
Maam, we have a policy here about drinking. If youre going to consume any alcohol before eleven p.m., it has to be in moderation. We dont want a lot of people drinking when people are here with their kids.
Im fine, lady. The woman waved her off, without even looking up.
Also, the wine that we serve is supposed to be for formal occasions. Families only as is written on the menu. Your family still isnt here yet, Ms. Carson.
Thats how my folks are. Maybe I need a drink to get over that. Wheres your holiday spirit? The black-clad woman, Ms. Carson, responded.
Sighing again, Wendy placed her hands on her hips as she hurried away. Wow. Jin was beginning to think she had figured this town all wrong from the start. Shaking her head, she reached inside her jacket pocket and retrieved a miniature notepad. A pencil was sticking out from between the pages toward the middle of the book. Her hours of research on Selah had turned out to be for naught. She had apparently learned nothing about the people.
As Jin was preparing to make a few notes, she found her eyes drawn over to the family on her right side. The daughter still had a plate full of spaghetti and was sitting with her hands clasped. Her fork had been abandoned and was now nearly buried in spaghetti sauce. Both her parents were seemingly too occupied to notice. Their own food was untouched for the most part.
Hey, Jin called quietly.
The young girl hesitantly turned her eyes in Jins direction.
Hi there, Jin smiled. My names Jin. Whats yours?
The girl lowered her eyes to her plate once again.
Sweetie, you can talk to me. Why are you so upset this close to Christmas? I bet youre going to get all sorts of cool stuff. Dont you Jin paused.
The girls eyes wavered and then she brought her hands up to cover her face. A few seconds later she began sobbing. Her mother reached over to gently rub her back. She whispered to her soothingly although the grief on her own expression was unmistakable. The father was glaring directly at Jin.
Why the hell did you have to go and do that? he yelled, instantly quieting almost the entire restaurant. He was a huge man, probably twice Jins size, with a deep bellowing voice. You ought to just keep your trap shut unless you think youre funny!
I I was just
Just what? He sprang up out of his seat and moved around the table toward her.
Bill, please, His wife grabbed his wrist as he was passing by. Calm down, she didnt
You stay out of this! he hollered at her. Then he returned his attention to Jin and stepped closer. And you watch what you say! My family and I were enjoying ourselves before you had to go and open your trap! You ask anyone around here, theyll tell youyou piss me off and youre asking for trouble. And you just pissed me off. So Ill tell you what, get down on your knees and apologize, or Im going to hurt you.
Okay sir, now youre just being unreasonable. Jin tried to remain calm despite her heart pounding almost painfully in her chest. Unfortunately, her voice wasnt quite as strong as she had hoped. It was shaky and unsure. The last thing she wanted was for Bill to know that she was terrified. I will apologize to her for saying whatever I did but
You listen to me! Bill swatted her table with the back of one hand. It tipped over easily and crashed to the ground. You do what I tell you, you little wench! You obviously want to do things the hard way, huh? Thats fine with me. Im going to break you in half.
Bills hands were balled up in fists at his sides. They were trembling slightly, and his face had turned bright red. He could strike at any moment, and Jin had never been in a fight in her life. Her eyes were wide and she felt a bead of sweat trickle down her forehead. She would get crushed, and no one was bothering to help her.
Im sorry Im sorry, I didnt mean anything Jin cowered away from him, shielding her head and face. Please
Its too late for that Bill raised his fists.
No its not.
Jin turned to see the woman wearing the leather jacket standing behind her. She was tall, probably close to six feet, and had a thick body build that was somewhat hidden underneath the jacket. Big, but still not comparable to Bill. He raised an eyebrow when he realized it was she who had spoken.
Now, back off before I knock you on your ass in front of all these people, Ms. Carson warned.
Stay out of this, Bill admonished her.
If you were picking on someone your own size then Id do that, she replied. But youre not.
Growling, Bill took a step toward Jin but Ms. Carson grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the way. Bill decided to teach her a lesson for interfering and swung an oversized fist at her head. Ms. Carson ducked and swiftly came back up, striking him in the throat with the outstretched fingertips of one hand. He gagged instantly and reached up to hold his neck. Ms. Carson slammed the back of her fist into his face, knocking him to the ground. She looked as if she were about to continue her assault when Jin grasped her shoulder.
Please, leave him alone. Im fine now.
Ms. Carson stared down at Bill for a moment. Then she relaxed her hands and turned to head toward the exit. Sure.
Thirty seconds later, both women were walking toward Jins car parked across the street. The employees had watched them walk out the doors while attending to Bill, but they remained silent. First ten minutes here and I almost get killed.
You might get harassed by the police for that, Jin said.
Police? Ms. Carson smirked. You must be new to this place, too. I found out yesterday that the police wont come out unless theres a fire. Nothing happens here, anyways. Not on the surface, at least.
Thanks for standing up for me. I he was going to kill me.
No problem, Ms. Carson shrugged. When they came to a halt in front of Jins car, she turned to her petite companion and extended a hand. Im Amy.
Jin. Nice to meet you. Jin shook her hand with a smile. You said youre new to this town as well? What brings you here?
Im a private investigator from Timber City, Amy said. I got called out on three missing persons cases. They all disappeared years ago so no one important felt like dealing with it. Next best choice me.
During the holidays? What about your family?
I havent seen them in yearsno big deal, Amy glanced over her shoulder at the restaurant. You?
Huh?
Youre also working here arent you?
Well, yeah, I guess so. Jin grinned. Im a journalist and I work for the Ivory City Daily News. Im doing a special on the origin of some of the major Christmas traditions. The trail begins here.
I think what were looking for may not be all that different. It might be in our best interest to stick together for a while. Find out what the hell is wrong with the people here, and go from there.
Sounds good.