“Arlen fixed my bike tire. He wouldn’t let me pay, so this is my way of thanking him.”
“He’s done the same for me. Joe’s lucky to have such a hard-working young man running his bike shop.” Sue tucked the empty tray under her arm. “What can I get you to drink?”
“I’ll have coffee.”
“W-water is okay,” Arlen said.
“You don’t want juice or hot chocolate?” Harlow asked.
“I…okay. I like orange juice.”
“One OJ and one coffee coming right up.” Sue clicked the end of her pen. “Do you need time to look at the menu?”
“I’m having the breakfast buffet,” Harlow said.
“Same for me.”
“You’re making this too easy.” Sue told them they would find plates at the buffet and left, promising to return shortly with their drinks.
Harlow shoved her chair back. “Let’s go grab some grub.”
“I’m hungry.”
“Me too.” She plucked a clean plate from the stack. Working her way to the end, she splurged, filling it with a ham and cheese omelet, hash browns, a small pile of bacon, and toast, before sliding a scoop of sliced fruit onto the only empty spot she had left.
She returned to the table to wait for Arlen. He spent several long moments circling the buffet until finally joining her. He set his plate in front of him, heaped high with food. A second plate, this one with a stack of pancakes, joined the first.
“You weren’t kidding when you said you were hungry,” she teased.
His face turned bright red, and she immediately regretted her comment. “I took a little of everything.”
“Good for you. I might go back for seconds,” she whispered conspiratorially.
“I-I might too, but maybe not. This is a lot of food.”
“Thank you for meeting me for breakfast and for fixing my bike tire. It’s like new.”
“You’re welcome.” Arlen placed his napkin on his lap and hesitated.
“Everything looks yummy. I don’t know what to try first.” Harlow broke off a piece of bacon and set it on top of a slice of wheat toast. She folded it in half and took a big bite.
He must’ve been waiting for her to make the first move, because as soon as she began eating, he poured a generous amount of syrup on his plate of pancakes and dug in.
Harlow kept the conversation light, asking about school, his favorite subject, what Arlen liked best about his job at the bike shop. He politely answered each question, and the longer they chatted, she could see him start to relax, his shoulders no longer rigid.
Sue returned to refill their coffee and juice halfway through. “How’s the food?”
“Delicious,” Arlen said. “I tried a little of everything.”
“Good for you. I like to see a hearty appetite.” She refilled Harlow’s empty cup. “We have a fresh batch of chocolate-covered donuts. Would you like one?”
“I-I love donuts, but I’m stuffed.”
“Ditto,” Harlow said. “Although I am tempted.”
“I’ll bring the check.” Sue took off, returning a short time later with the bill and two baked goods boxes. “I packed a few donuts to munch on later.”
“Thank you.” Harlow set her credit card on top of the bill.
