“The soup today is amazing. Come sit with me when you’re through the line. I have forty-five minutes left on my lunch.”
I got a bowl of soup and half a turkey sandwich and then rejoined her at the table.
“Remember when we came here for a double date in high school?” she asked.
“Yes, actually, I do. I was just thinking about that. Were our taste buds less discerning then or is the food actually good?” I set my tray on the table and sat down across from her.
“It’s good,” she said. “Not as good as we thought it was in high school. But better than hospital food has any right to be. And cheap!”
I nodded at a wedding magazine open in front of her. “Howis wedding planning going? How much longer do you have anyway?”
“Six months,” she said. “We get married in six months. It feels so close and yet so far away.”
“Are you the first one of our high school friends to get married?” I asked. At twenty-eight, she could’ve been the last for all I knew. I really hadn’t kept in contact with anyone aside from what I saw on social media, which didn’t always give me the up-to-date news of people’s lives, especially when I didn’t check it regularly. Tara had moved away too, but I had a feeling she’d kept up with everyone better than I had. Plus, she’d been back for over a year and worked in a hospital. I was sure she’d heard tons of gossip disguised as genuine concern.
“No, Fiona married Mitchell right out of high school. I’m surprised you didn’t hear. I’m sure she sent you an invite.”
“My mom’s not big on forwarding my mail. But she may have opened it and told me about it.” I didn’t remember. I probably would’ve disregarded something that would’ve brought me back to town outside of my scheduled visiting times. I had been in school and working. I didn’t have a lot of free time back then. I didn’t have a lot of free time now.
“They have three kids now,” she said.
“Three? Wow.”
“They have a ten-year head start on us,” she said. “It’s not even that shocking.”
I unwrapped my sandwich. “I guess you’re right.”
“I can’t wait to start having babies,” she said.
“Yeah? You still want six?” I asked. That’s what she used to say in high school. I was surprised I remembered it. Maybe because, as an only child, that number had always seemed shocking to me.
“I think I’m down to a reasonable four,” she said. “What about you? Have you come close to marriage in the last ten years?”
“No, I haven’t. Just got out of a two-year relationship.” I took a bite of my sandwich.
“I’m sorry,” she said. Tara was easy to be with. I had almost forgotten. She was light and fun and did a good job of getting my mind off things.
“It’s okay, we were incompatible,” I said.
“That leaves you free for Elijah.”
I laughed, but when I realized she was serious, I cleared my throat and said, “We are even more incompatible. Besides, we’re supposed to be strangers, right?”
“That’s true,” she said. “But good luck not falling for him. He’s very charming.”
I laughed again. “I think I’m safe.” Frat boys weren’t my type and I was sure type A, emotionless, lackluster women were far from his type as well.
“Do you want to check out a venue with me after I get off today? Michael can’t go.”
“You haven’t picked your venue?”
“We have, I just need to find the spot on the property for the ceremony.”
“What time?” I asked. “I’m here for another hour and then have to give my mom meds at three.”
“I get off at four,” she said.
“That could work.” I needed to visit more venues to see what they did to create atmosphere and personality. Maybe I could implement some things in my restaurant.
