“Sue, this is amazing! Summer, any objection to Sue sending us weekly care packages?” He jokes.
Sue laughs as they talk about random things, and it’s…nice. With Zander’s help, we finish the entire fruit tart. “Well, ladies, I thank you for the snack and conversation today. My belly is happily full. I’ll leave now, so you can enjoy your day. Perhaps I can take you ladies to lunch tomorrow?”
Sue looks over at me, and I nod. “Why don’t we meet you at noon at the 50s diner on Main St.?”
“Sounds perfect. I’ll see you ladies tomorrow.” He waves and heads out.
We clean up the table, and I do the dishes. As I’m drying the plates, Sue reenters the kitchen with her purse and jacket in hand. “I’ve got a few errands to run, sweetheart. Are you fine staying here alone for an hour?”
“I’m good, Sue, go ahead,” waving my hands towards the door. Once the kitchen is clean, I take a seat in the couch corner. I’m not sure what to do with myself now. Sitting around will make me overthink things and get nervous, so I decide to turn on a random movie. Should be enough distraction to consider when to move and sort out my feelings without panicking.
Sue comes home in a little over an hour. “How are you doing, sweetheart?”
“Okay, Sue, just sorting in my brain.”
“I’m going to make some brownies for the reading club tonight. Want to help?”
“Sure.” We gather ingredients and decide to make a double batch for home as well. Baking with Sue will be something I’ll miss greatly. I’m sure Zander will benefit from my skills once we move, though. Although I assisted Mom in the kitchen as a child, baking wasn’t her forte. I could cook many dishes on the stove and in the oven, but our snacks came from the grocery store.
Once the brownies are on the cooling racks, I help Sue with dinner and cleanup. “What are you planning for this evening, sweetheart?”
“Just some laundry. I’ll probably clean out the school stuff I have here too. Can I use the scanner in your office? I’ll save all my notes and assignments in the cloud in case I need them later on.”
“Of course you can. That’s a good idea. Less paperwork to move around with you. Are you still contemplating the timing of the move?”
“Yeah. I'll go before school starts. I should spend time in Charleston and learn my way around.”
“That’s smart. I’m sure Zander would love to show you around,” she smiles.
I take the rest of the night to get all my school stuff sorted and finish my two loads of laundry for the week. It would be onlyone load except I separate lights and darks. My wardrobe is still ridiculously tiny over a year after the accident.
Chapter 12
Sue and I arrive at the diner just before noon, where Zander is already in a booth waiting for us, and he gets up as we approach. “Hello ladies. It’s nice to see you again. Here Sue, let me grab your coat for you.”
“Such a gentleman, Zander. Thank you,” Sue says as he helps her out of her coat, hanging it on the pole on the side of the seat. He turns towards me, but stops when he sees I’ve already got mine partway off. He gives me a gentle smile and retakes his seat.
“So,” he rubs his hands together, looking at me, “what’s good to eat here?”
“Um, I always get a cheeseburger and fries,” I say, feeling very awkward, so I redirect his attention. “Sue has tried everything on the menu.”
“Is that so?” Zander looks over to Sue with a brow raised.
“I find everything good here,” Sue says. “It just depends on your preferences. I’m not a fan of salisbury steak myself, or hot dogs, but I enjoy the rest.”
“Hmm, I think I’ll try the cheeseburger,” he winks at me, “with onion rings.”
Our server, Avery, comes over to take our orders. “Hello Sue and Summer. What can I get’cha today?”
“I’ll have the Cobb salad and a hot tea,” Sue replies before asking about Avery’s kids. Avery was a student of Sue’s a decadeago, and they remained in contact through the diner. She’s been working here since she was 16 and is now an assistant manager.
“Okay, the usual Summer?” Avery asks me.
“Yes, please,” I say.
“And for you?” She looks at Zander.
“A cheeseburger, onion rings, and a coffee, please.”
