As we walk, a delicious smell, savory and grilled, mingles with the crisp air.A few steps further, and the source comes into view: a fire-truck red food truck, parked near the curb.Emblazoned on its side, in bold yellow letters, is “Mad City Burgers”, with oversized images of juicy burgers on either side of the serving window.
Leaning casually against the side of the truck is a Hispanic man with his arms crossed over a faded black apron and plain green sweater.A salt-and-pepper mustache covers his weathered face, and his slightly disheveled dark hair is streaked with gray.
His kind eyes light up when he sees us approaching.“Hey, hey, Matty!”He rushes over and engulfs Matthew in a big hug, patting his back.“Where have you been?It’s been so long!”
“I know, I know.Busy times,” Matthew replies.
“Yeah, you’re a big-shot lawyer now,” the man announces jovially, gripping Matthew’s shoulder.“And who is this beautiful lady?”
A smile, honest and unforced, spreads across my face when he turns his attention to me.
“Sal, this is Amy,” Matthew says, stepping aside.“Amy, this is Sal.The owner of the best burger joint in town.”
“Oh, of course you’re gonna say that.”Sal waves a hand in Matthew’s direction, chuckling.“This one used to practically live on my burgers.Couldn’t get enough of ’em since he was this big,” he tells me, holding out his hand at waist-level before extending it towards me.“Amy, it’s a pleasure.”
“Nice to meet you, Sal.”My smile widens as he clasps my hand with both of his.
He shifts back to Matthew.“And how you settling into your new place?It hasn’t been that long since you moved there, has it?”
“Hardly new anymore, it’s been a little over a year now,” Matthew replies.
Sal shakes his head.“Sorry, I should know that.I’m getting old, Matty.”
“No, you’re not.”Matthew claps him on the back.“You look great.”
“You only flatter me because you’re after my burgers,” Sal says, making us all laugh.“And how about Roger, he bother you lately?”
The question instantly darkens Matthew’s expression.“He probably doesn’t even know I moved, but that’s a story for another day, my friend.”He inhales deeply, squaring his shoulders.“Tonight I’m here to introduce Amy to your delicious burgers.If you’re still open, of course.”
“For you, always!!”Sal asserts, making us both smile.“Wanna help me make them like old times?”
Matthew turns to me, eyes asking permission.
I shrug, smiling.
Sal also turns to me.“Have you seen my Matty in the kitchen yet?”
I shake my head, laughing at the thought.“No, not really.”
“Well, tonight’s your lucky night,” he announces cheerfully.His eyes catch on my left hand.He grabs it, lifting it to whistle at my engagement ring.“And when were you going to share this good news with me?”
“What?Oh no, this is not—”
“No, I’m not—”
We speak over each other, making Sal pause and give us a once-over.“Look at you two, all shy and shit.Last time I saw this guy”—he gives Matthew a friendly slap on the arm—“he told me he wants nothing to do with relationships—”
“Sal, please,” Matthew interrupts.
“Whaaat?Don’t worry, Amy’s going nowhere.I know true love when I see it.I’ve been happily married for over twenty-one years and—”
“Alright, that’s enough,” Matthew says with a sigh of exasperation, his hand coming to rest on Sal’s shoulder, guiding him gently towards the truck’s steps.“Let’s go.”
My cheeks burn as I follow them.
“See, I told you he’s only after my burgers,” Sal declares, untying his apron.He pauses before handing it to Matthew.“Give your blazer to your fiancée.It’ll keep her warm.”
“Sal.”Matthew gives him a warning look.
