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She just rolls her eyes at me but returns a smile in my direction. “You’re gonna have to work for it, sweetie.”
“Let’s blow this popsicle stand,” Jayce says, ignoring the exchange between Raven and me.
We all stand and there is a look of confusion on Lucien’s face.
“What’s up, Lucien?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.
“‘Popsicle stand?’ I thought this was a diner?” he asks.
That had the three of us chuckling, adding to his confusion more.
“It’s just an expression for leaving. This is a diner,” I explain.
“That doesn’t make sense to me, why not just say leave?” he questions, still looking bewildered.
I pat him on the shoulder as I usher him out of the front doors, “You just have to get with the times, old man. If you question every weird saying or slang we have, you’ll be perpetually confused.” My smile is sympathetic, I know it has to be confusing. I couldn’t imagine being thrown face-first into an entirely new world. Observing as a ghost was one thing. Living in this century is another.
He laughs at my words, before stating, “Just when I think I’m caught up, there is something new and I feel as if I’m back where I started.”
Raven slows her pace to take Lucien’s hand in hers, “And that’s why you have us and we may laugh but it’s not meant to be hurtful.”
“I know, it just seems I have more to learn than I thought,” Lucien sighs.
This time, I walk a little slower, letting them get a little way ahead, that is until Raven glances back at me. She raises an eyebrow but doesn’t question me as I raise my phone to show her I’m going to make a call.
The moment I’m alone, I chicken out and text him instead. He is a slow texter and wouldn’t be able to rant quite so much.
I open up to my Dad’s messages.
Dad: Eli, what’s up? Something wrong?
Me: Nothing wrong, just something with Raven came up and I need the day to help her figure things out. Just wanted you in the loop, if you came to see me in the office or online.
Dad: Take care of whatever you need, your work will be there tomorrow, but I’m glad you checked in.
Me: Of course, just because I’m your son, doesn’t mean I’d flake on you. You gave me this job when I needed it, I’m not going to piss it away.
Dad: Good to hear son, but I have another call coming in. Call me later if you need to talk.
Nothing like a façade to please the old man to keep you and your girl from being homeless.
I jog to catch up with the other three.
“What did your dad say?” Jayce asks.
“That my work would be waiting for me when I get back. Same old, same old.” I shrug.
“So, now Raven just needs to call and see if we can go out to the farm,” Jayce says.
“I, for one, didn't see you as a cowboy, Jayce,” I joke, bumping my shoulder into his.
“Ha, ha. Time to go look at straw hats and rocking chairs,” he says as Raven pulls out her phone.
She stops and pulls out the letter before dialing the number. “Yes, this is Raven Blackwood. I was wondering if I could come out and visit the property this afternoon."
Raven pauses as she listens to the voice on the other end.
“Yes, I know the way,” she says into the phone.
