“Y’all! I am so glad to see my babies this morning,” her mama declared, kissing Ginny, Caroline, Griffin, and looking around the crowd for Georgia and Lake.
“They’re grabbin’ the kids for us,” Griffin informed her.
“Well, I just wanted to introduce y’all to our newest team member at Good Start.” She gave Chloe a little jostle and showed her off like a prize-winning pony. “This is Chloe Garland, the new manager. Ginny, do you remember Chloe?”
Ginny smiled at Chloe, who she’d known as an acquaintance in high school but little more. She remembered Chloe as being much quieter than herself and usually hanging with the more artistic crowd back then. “Hey, Chloe. It’s great to see you.”
“Thanks, I’m really excited to be back and at Good Start.”
Ginny’s mama provided introductions to the rest of the small group, as only Joan Remillard, the queen of Southern hostesses could, and promptly invited them all to Sunday family supper at their family home.
Ryan stood behind, taking small, but noticeable steps back and, Ginny thought, making ready for his escape. “I actually have plans this afternoon, Mrs. Remillard. I’m sorry to miss out.”
Ginny’s mama wasn’t having it, though. She grabbed Ryan’s arm and pulled him in. A spider, luring in her prey. “Now Ryan Hood, we have not had you at a family function in far too long. Couldn’t you set aside your plans for a welcome dinner for this lovely woman?”
Ryan blushed. Ginny hated that flush in his cheeks as he took in Chloe. Her light brown hair hung over her shoulders in beachy waves, and she wore a modest, maroon and floral maxi-dress that made her look effortlessly beautiful, but unassuming.
“I’m, uh…” Ryan stuttered. “I’m sorry to miss out, but it’s nice to meet you, Chloe.” He extended his hand andshook Chloe’s, who definitely didn’t seem uninterested in the strawberry blonde Adonis in front of her.
Overdramatic? Ginny didn’t think so. She’d seen Ryan without a shirt just over two years before and the memory of his chiseled chest and well defined abs were forever ingrained in her temporal lobe. Right next to the memory of her puking into a trash can in the summer heat before said shirtless man ran away from her.
She rolled her eyes, suddenly feeling irritated, flustered, and itching for the smell of dusty records and Ms. Jan’s—the record store owner’s—reheated leftovers.
“Yeah, Ryan, what could you possibly have that’s more important than greeting Chloe here?” she asked, lifting her eyebrow and crossing her arms.
“Errands,” he said pointedly.
“Errands. Hmmm,” she hummed. “Sure. Very important. Very convincing.”
“It’s really okay,” poor Chloe responded, waving them both off. “I’m sure we can catch up another time.”
“I don’t know.” Ginny let her head bobble just slightly, like a snake in the grass. “Ryan is awfully good at avoidance these days, but no worries mama, I’ll meet y’all there. Chloe, I’m lookin’ forward to hanging out more.”
And with the memory of Ryan’s back turned on her in retreat, and all earlier feelings of affection stuffed deep down where she couldn’t see them anymore, Ginny kissed her mama and daddy on their cheeks and marched away, letting Ryan watch her leave him behind this time.
3
TOM’S DINER
ANNENMAYKANTEREIT & GIANT ROCKS
Dearest Alphabetical Police,
Wow. What more can I say? I got your message, loud and clear.
I’d like to mention the fact that upon receiving your note, I asked Jan, the owner (Do you know her? She’s cranky, too), if she left me this enchanting and well-written warning. She said she didn’t have the time or inclination to care about what order the albums were in as long as they stayed in their “territory”. Which leads me to believe you felt personally inclined to correct me of your own accord.
I’m not even mad. Mostly impressed. And I wouldn’t normally respond, but it's been a tortuously long weekend,and I’m feeling just a tad bit agitated myself. (Again, not your fault, but here we are.)
The Civil Wars over The Righteous Brothers?
No. Simply, no.
I know I’m the one who put them in front, because ya can’t argue with talent, tension, and grit, but they are no contest against their rivals. Come on! “You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling” (Which clearly you have… Sorry. Just callin’ it like I see it) and “Unchained Melody”… They can’t compare. The Civil Wars albums were great but will never measure up. Just one man’s opinion.
Simon and Garfunkel made the honorable mention list for sentimental purposes. My grandparents played them on every car ride during my childhood. I proudly knew every word to “The Sound of Silence” before I was ten years old. But I digress…
I’m sincerely sorry for the clear, emotional distress my personal organization caused you.
