"Hi Reena. Follow me. Dr. Nance said we should give you the table in the back by the fountain." The teenager is bubbling over with energy, and her braid swings as she guides us through the dining room. "Steak is the special today. I highly recommend it."
"Thank you, Lisa." Reena gives her a quick wave as the young woman leaves us with menus and a promise to send the server over.
"She seems nice." I pull out a chair for her and wait until she's seated before settling into my own beside her.
Reena nods. "She is. Wants to go to medical school. She really looks up to Dr. Nance. That's why she started working here. So she could learn as much as possible before she leaves for college."
True to her word, the server Lisa sent our way arrives with glasses of cold water, patiently walks us through the different lunch options and takes our order. Her presence gives us a little buffer, but we're left alone quickly, and I can't think of anything to say that could break the tension settling between us. Reena, though, breaches the silence as if it's second nature for her.
"When did you first move to town?"
"Five years ago. I finished my last deployment and decided it was time for a change. I was on a road trip, enjoying the chance to travel and see things on my own timeline. When I found the mountain, I was surprised by how peaceful it was. Didn't really want to leave. So, I didn't."
She nods. "I know what you mean."
"You’ve been here all your life?" My voice sounds gruff, harsh, and I wish I could make it more refined. I may not be able to help her with the problem she's facing, but I don't want to scare her away.
Reena shakes her head. "No. Came here with my mom when I was seven. Being a single parent was difficult for her and my uncle offered to let us live with him. If he hadn't done that, I don't know where we'd have ended up. I felt safe with him. He was reliable, steady. Always showed up when he said he would."
"Sounds like a good man."
"He is." She meets my eyes and I can't miss the shine of tears in hers. "He taught me everything I needed to know. How to drive, how to change the oil in my car. Helped me plan for college, decide on a major. Even taught me how to hit a baseball when a boy at school told me I couldn't play because I was just a girl."
I'm happy to see a small smile curve her lips, and my stomach rolls at the sight. I wonder what it feels like to be the reason this woman smiles? "I bet you showed that kid."
"I did. Hit a home run off him." She shrugs, a hint of mischief adding more life to her expression when she adds, "He asked me to prom when we were in high school. I turned him down."
A flare of jealousy lights through me at the idea of her with that stupid kid. "Good for you."
Our food is delivered, slid in front of each of us, and we wait as our drinks our refilled, silence falling between us until the server slips away.
"Would you like to see a picture of my uncle?" Reena asks the question quietly, and I hesitate. Seeing her uncle will make their request real. I'm already feeling things I shouldn't for this woman. I decide to risk it anyway. "Sure."
She taps the screen of her phone and slides it across the table to me. I glance down and can't miss the way my chest goes tight at the image displayed. It's Reena, standing next to a tall man, hair mostly silver with dark threads still woven through it. He's older, but his face hasn't changed. Not since the morning he showed up at my cabin right after I moved in. He'd handed over a full thermos of fresh, hot coffee and a breakfast sandwich from the town's diner.
And he'd said, "Just wanted you to know you've got a friend here if you need one."
In that instant, I'd felt like I belonged somewhere again. That this place didn't have to be temporary for me. I could stay.
"Your Uncle is Cliff Moore?"
Her pretty eyes go wide. "You know him?"
I nod, sadness filling me as the realization sinks in. This is who they've been talking about. The vibrant, friendly man I met is the one who's losing himself and can no longer live at home. Who's so worried about his niece being alone that he's refusing to leave until he knows someone will be there to care for her in his place.
Resolution swells, and my decision is made.
"I'll do it."
4
REENA
"You'll do it?" I know I'm staring at him, a forkful of vegetables halfway to my mouth as I try to process what he's saying.
"I'll help you. And your uncle."
I swallow, a lump forming in my throat, and am proud that I manage to set the fork down carefully without dropping any food in my lap. "You will?"
