I wait, making sure her car starts and watch as she drives out of the parking lot. “I’m not in a rush.” I let out a breath, repeating the last thing I said to her, “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
nineteen
Ruth
It’s Friday afternoon, and I’ve worked the entire day. The bell over the diner door jingles, and I glance up from behind the counter where I’m filling a tray of waters for a huge table. Noahstruts in, his hair still damp from his after-practice shower. Silently, he plops into a booth and shrugs off his jacket. Forgoing a traditional hello, he says, “Mom, I’m starving.”
“You always are.” I grab an extra cup, filling it with water and pass it to him as I take the tray to the table in the back. Giving them time to peruse the menu, I return to Noah’s booth.
“Practice was hard,” he groans, defending his hunger.
I take a guess at his appetite. “Meatloaf today?”
“That sounds perfect.” His gaze slides to his phone as I scribble his order on a ticket. Nerve bubbles fizzle in my stomach, but I figure now is as good of a time as any to break the news. I press my palms to the edge of the table, lean in a bit and speak in a hushed tone, “Just an FYI, I’m going out of town for the weekend, and I’ll be leaving here after my shift.”
He continues to stare at his phone before his gaze slides up to meet mine. “Wait. What?”
“It’s a little getaway.” I wave dismissively, trying to downplay how nervous I am. “I’ll be back Sunday.”
His brow hikes, and he stares at me like I’m a stranger. “Since when do you have plans?”
I laugh, because it’s a valid observation. “I have gone out of town before.”
“Yeah, for restaurant supply runs, food shows, or maybe a funeral.” His brows dip low and his tone drops. “This isn’t like a secret surgery you aren’t telling me about?”
“No, it’s not a surgery. It’s for fun.” I shrug, acting like it’s no big deal. “I decided that I need a little break, and you’re finally old enough to fend for yourself.”
He narrows his eyes into slits. “Who are you going with?”
My stomach somersaults. “Uh…” I glance around the place and sigh with relief as it’s slow tonight. Nobody needs me right this second. I hate to lie to him, but I’m confident if this weekendgoes the way I think it will, I can tell him everything very shortly. I sink on to the bench across from him as I murmur, “Just me.”
With his phone clenched in his hand, he doesn’t take his eyes off me as his gaze bounces around my face like he’s inspecting it for clues. After a beat, he says, “Good for you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, you deserve to have a life, Mom.”
A guilty flutter winds in my gut. “I don't want you to starve,” I say, standing again with the need to move my body. “You’re welcome to come eat, and you know Tammy is here on weekends, and she’ll take care of you.”
“I don’t need someone to take care of me. I’m eighteen.”
“Well, you know I worry.” I ruffle his hair as I spin on my heel to take that table’s order. “So, we are having dinner Sunday night to catch up?” I call over my shoulder.
“Sure.” He’s already focused on his phone as he replies with a snarky, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
Speaking through a chuckle, I say, “I’m not sure that leaves out anything.”
His laughter joins mine but quickly fades into the background as I focus on my table. For the first time in a long, long time, I have plans that aren’t about Noah or hockey or keeping my house clean and my fridge stocked.
I’m doing something for myself.
Butterflies flit in my stomach, adding a lightness in my chest that I haven’t felt in…forever.
Tammy comes in to relieve me of the dinner rush, so I’m able to sneak out early. Yes, I was watching the clock. How could Inot? With my rolling suitcase in tow, I step outside. My stomach twists, unleashing the fleet of butterflies again. Bill is waiting with his headlights cutting soft beams through this winter’s never-ending flurries. Tugging my pink coat tighter, I step off the curb, and a zing of nerves fires in my gut. He gets out of the SUV, greeting me by opening the passenger door. “Are you sure you don’t mind sneaking around? It sure looks good on you.”
“I'm getting used to it, especially since I have a partner in crime.” I laugh as I tug my rolling suitcase off the curb, struggling to get it over the bumps of snow.
His grin grows as he rushes forward, taking my suitcase. “Speaking of crime, you should be warned, because I do have a small record. There were a slew of speeding tickets and a few parking violations. Let’s say my impatience shows on my driving record.”
