AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Liem flitted back to the kitchen a few times too, and more than once I caught him taking photos of us elbows deep in batters and sauces.
By the time the morning rush was over, my cheeks ached from smiling and my ankle was throbbing. Luckily, Liem came back to take over any orders that filtered in through the lull, so I announced that I was taking a breather. I went out the back door and down another fresh-built-looking ramp, hobbling my way to a cast-iron bench that was out of view of Ari’s side patio. I slumped down, enjoying the breeze cascading from the water, and took off my shoes before turning sideways to prop up my foot for a much-needed rest.
A few minutes later, the backdoor opened, and Monny soon came to a stop beside me, immediately eyeing my foot. “Are you okay? I hope we didn’t work you too hard.”
I smiled. “I’m fine, just giving it a break. I had a light sprain last week.”
“I heard about that. I’m glad it’s almost better, but make sure you take breaks when you need to, okay?”
I nodded in agreement, internally connecting the dots of the man who was responsible for half of Vinh and Liem’s genes.
A couple of minutes passed in amiable silence before Monny chuckled. “You know, I woke up two nights ago with the world’s worst itch on my foot. No matter what I did, it would not go away. I ended up getting out of bed and sitting on the porch until 3:00 a.m. watching Gunsmoke on my tablet.” He frowned at me. “I might be showing my age there.”
I laughed. “No, you’re not. I’ve watched Gunsmoke before. I don’t know how much Vinh or Liem have told you, but I was mostly raised by my grandmother. I grew up watching a lot of… older shows and movies.” I grimaced at him. “Not that you’re old. If this morning proved anything, it’s that you’re definitely a spring chicken.”
He threw his head back and laughed to the sky. “Oh, girlfriend. I would’ve thought you were just trying to make me feel better, but once you used the phrase ‘spring chicken,’ I knew you were telling the truth. An old soul indeed.” He rubbed his hands down his thighs before he laughed again and muttered, “Spring chicken. Ain’t that somethin’.”
Wanting to hear the rest of the story, I asked, “So, you were saying about your foot?”
“Oh right, right. Well. I tried to distract myself with TV, but it didn’t work. Nothing did, until I scratched it.” He raised his eyebrows at me, as if to say, “Can you believe that?”
I rolled my lips together, having no clue how to respond.
He milked the moment, holding my gaze for a beat longer before delivering his punchline. “It was this foot.” He pointed to the empty footrest of his wheelchair. “All I had to do was reach down and scratch where my foot would have been. And snap, just like that. The itch was gone.”
My eyes widened. “I have no idea what to say to that.”
He snapped, then pointed at me. “And that’s how I know my story has landed.”
I shook my head at him as my heart squeezed in a bittersweet way at the comradery and warmth I’d experienced all morning.
In the quiet of the moments that followed, my mind naturally wandered where I rarely let it go—to my own father. What would our relationship have been like in my teen years or now as an adult? Where would I be right now if Grandmother hadn’t taken custody of me all those years ago?
The door at the top of the ramp opened, and we glanced back as Mrs. Lott reached down and propped the door open with a large rock. I sat up straighter and reached for my shoes, putting them back on as she made her way toward us. Monny’s chest bounced with silent laughter, and before I could second-guess my reaction, I leveled him with a look that I’d given Cody a million times. One that said, “Don’t you dare.” He made a point of locking his lips together as Mrs. Lott came to stand in front of us. I straightened even more, and Monny’s laughter cut through the air, the sound reeking of betrayal.
“What is so funny, Monny Lott?” Mrs. Lott asked, eyebrows raised.
“I’m afraid to say,” he responded, still laughing.
She huffed but otherwise ignored him as she turned her attention to me and smiled. “You are a hard worker.”
I was slightly taken aback, not expecting the comment. “Thank you.”
She nodded. “Even with our late start—” Her eyes flicked to her husband. “—that was one of the best mornings we’ve had here. I think we’ll put both of those biscuits on permanent rotation.”
Monny and I shared pleased smiles.
“I would very much like it if you came back tomorrow.”
“I would like that too,” I answered honestly, my cheeks hot at the endorsement.
“Good. I will have your check for today and tomorrow’s work ready for you tomorrow too.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary. I told Liem I was happy to help. It was really fun.”
Monny and Mrs. Lott both frowned at me, but Monny spoke first. “So, what? You shouldn’t be paid unless you didn’t enjoy yourself? Work should only be compensated if it’s miserable?” He raised an eyebrow at me, and Mrs. Lott rested her hand on his shoulder in approval. That must have been a glimpse of the serious military man underneath the goofy façade I’d gotten to know today. I needed to remember that.
“No, sir,” I responded, manners kicking in.
