She stops in front of her classroom door. “Yeah, right.”
So much for trying to portray an air of mystery.“You’re going to share your secret with me at supper tonight?” I prod.
“I didn’t say that. I said maybe I’d tell you later.” She clarifies, “Later could be next month or next year.”
While I want to hear everything about her now, I also like that she imagines us still being friends in another month or year. And even though I don’t know what my long-term plans are, it gives a guy hope that the feelings I’m starting to have for Allie aren’t all one-sided.
“I’ll listen to your secrets whenever you want to share them,” I tell her. “In the meantime, how about if I go ahead and get us a table?”
“Yes, please,” she responds with a grin. “But don’t go quite yet.” She walks across the room toward a sleeping Margie and gently wakes her. When the girl starts to stir, she says, “I’m goingto drop you at home and then have supper across the street with Coach Riley. Can I bring you something?”
Margie sits up immediately. “Yes, please! I’d love a cheeseburger and fries and maybe a chocolate mint milk shake. Can I go over with you and pick it up? I’m starving!”
“You can join us if you want,” I call out.
Standing up, Margie replies, “I appreciate the offer, Coach, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to go back to sleep as soon as I eat.”
“Sounds good,” I tell her. “I’ll go ahead and put the order in for you.” As I walk down the hall toward the exit at the back of the building, I realize that even though the current situation with Margie and Jordan is not ideal, there’s something about it that’s bringing out paternal feelings in me.
While I’m not yet a father, both kids need to feel like they have adults on their side. And that’s what Allie and I can be for them. Granted, Allie’s going above and beyond by letting Margie stay with her, but that doesn’t mean I can’t find a way to be helpful too.
As soon as I get to the diner, I place Margie’s order. Then I pay for it, so she doesn’t have to feel further indebted to Allie.
I’m sitting at a booth in the front window when they walk in. Allie talks to the hostess, who in turn walks toward the kitchen. When she comes out, she’s carrying a brown paper shopping bag. Margie pulls out her wallet to pay, but the hostess waves her money away.
That’s when both ladies spot me and walk over to my table. “Coach Riley,” Margie says, “you didn’t have to buy my supper.”
“I know I didn’t,” I tell her. “But I wanted to.”
She shakes her head slowly. “I don’t know how I’m ever going to repay you both for all you’re doing for me. I’m just very grateful.” As an afterthought, she adds, “And tired. I’m really tired.”
Allie hands over her house keys. “The only payback I want is tickets to your first opening night. I don’t care if it’s a play, or a movie. I want to be there to celebrate your accomplishment.”
“You’re the best, Allie,” Margie tells her. Then she turns to me, “You too, Coach. Thank you both.” With her food and keys in hand she turns around and leaves.
Allie sits down across from me. “It was very nice of you to buy Margie’s supper.”
She looks a little peaked herself which makes me wonder if she’s getting enough sleep. “I got you into all this,” I tell her. “And I want to help.” I wave the waitress over. “Tina,” I tell her, “can I open an account here?”
The server I’ve known since I was a kid looks confused by my question. “What do you mean, open an account? You want to charge things to the house?”
“I want a friend of mine to be able to come in and order whatever she wants, and I want to make sure I get the bill. Can I do that?”
Tina decides, “If a lifelong friend of Luke’s can’t do that, then no one can. How about if I keep the receipts in an envelope, and you can come in once a month and pay for them?”
“I’ll come in once a week,” I promise. “I don’t want to be any trouble, and this really helps my friend out.”
Tina looks at Allie and asks, “Are you the friend?”
“Not me,” Allie says with a knowing smile.
“The person’s name is Margie Flynn,” I tell her. “She’s the girl who was just here.”
“Oh, I know the Flynns!” Tina says excitedly. “They come in all the time.” She suddenly looks confused by why I’d be paying for Margie.
Allie tells her, “Margie’s staying across the street with me for a while.”
Tina glances from side-to-side like she doesn’t want to be overheard before asking, “Is the gossip true, then?”
