I’m amazed it’s open already. Wilder is the head chef (akathebodega sandwich man) I’ve heard so much about, and he hasn’t been in town very long at all. He must’ve been busy to get this place going this quickly.
Truthfully, when Lexi is in the back the place is more than pleasant out here. Ms. Snow glides between tables effortlessly,refilling drinks, cracking jokes with patrons, and resetting tables in between guests.
Mostly it’s just Lexi’s frazzled energy that makes me feel like the roof is going to cave in on us at any second.
Must be stressful for her, having worked in the grocery store since high school, switching careers like this. She’ll adapt. I hope.
“They might still be working out some early kinks,” I say to Mom, watching as Lexi fumes, heading out of the kitchen with steam billowing behind her. It’s not figuratively coming out of her ears, it’s literally in a trail behind her as she leaves the doorway to the staff only area and re-enters the dining room. “But it’s got promise.”
“Nice of you to meet me here for lunch,” she says kindly.
“Schedule is lightening up now that I’m almost through the jobs I have lined up for painting,” I tell her.
“Are you now?”
She sounds so proud of me, for doing the bare minimum. Does Wyatt get the same favor from her?
“Yeah, downtown is all done now, at least with indoor paint.”
I point out a few places to my mom through the window we’re sitting by. The facade and window display of each storefront is unique to them, but there’s a cohesive energy running between all of downtown that hasn’t been there in a decade or more.
“The last couple businesses are all on track to be open in time for the soft opening next week, according to Rory. Then I just have a few more properties off of Main to wrap, but I’m gonna be done here soon,” I tell her.
“Does that mean this is goodbye?” she asks.
I reach a hand out across the table and clasp hers in mine, her skin so thin beneath my rougher, calloused fingers. It reminds me that she isn’t getting any younger, and I can’t bearthe comparisons to Rory and Lexi’s mom that my mind draws of its own accord.
“I don’t think so,” I tell her. “Might stick around a while. I’ve been working on the Charger, and, uh, helping Wyatt out at the garage a bit lately. Working on motorbikes and ATVs and stuff.”
You’d think I just told her she won a trip to the Maldives. Her face lights up, eyes bright, and she pats my hand.
“That’s wonderful, honey. You two are getting on well, I take it?”
I nod at her in earnest at that. “Yeah, Ma. We actually had a pretty good talk a few weeks ago. I think we’re on a good path now.”
She gives me a nod of approval, but it didn’t come as a surprise to her so I’m guessing she’s already heard.
“Did he tell you?” I ask.
“My daughter-in-law did.”
“Of course.” For someone who hated the town’s gossip once upon a time, that girl sure can run her mouth when she wants to. I guess she’s a true Smoky Heights native in that way.
“She also told me you’re—” my mom leans in, whispering conspiratorially, “—seeing someone.”
“Guilty.” I hold up one hand, unable to fight my grin.
“Well, that’s just wonderful. When do I get to meet her?”
“I’m not sure yet, Mama.”
“Well, have you met her parents yet?”
I know things with her mom are complicated. And from what I know, her dad’s not in the picture. For the dozenth time, I wonder if that’s got anything to do with the little bits she has confided in me, about why she’s been on the road all this time. If that’s why she feels like she’s always a breath away from driving into the horizon and not looking back. And I wonder if I’ll ever figure out a way to ask her to open up to me that doesn’t spook her.
“Nah, not yet. It’s still pretty new.”
“Well, you better let me meet her before you meet them. I want dibs on the girl that won my prize of a son over.”
