"That's weird," Maya observes, but she accepts it and goes back to her pancakes.
Carter clears his throat. "What about you? Any family in town besides the ex?"
"No. My parents died four years ago. Car accident. It was..." I pause, swallowing hard. "It was fast, at least. They didn't suffer. Left me their house, which is the only reason I can afford to live here on a teacher's salary."
"I'm sorry." And he sounds like he means it. "That's rough. Losing both of them at once."
"It was. Still is, sometimes." I take a breath. "But the house is good. Full of memories, you know? My mom's bookshelf is still in the living room. My dad's tools are still in the garage. It's like they're still there, in a way."
"My parents died too," Carter says. "Different circumstances, but yeah. I get it. That feeling of wanting to hold onto the pieces they left behind."
We sit in silence for a moment, both of us lost in memories of people who aren't here anymore. It should be depressing, but somehow it's not. Somehow it feels like understanding.
"Daddy, I'm full," Maya announces, pushing away a plate that still has half a pancake on it. "Can I give the rest to Biscuit?"
"No, baby. Dogs can't have that much human food. It's not good for them."
Maya looks heartbroken, and Biscuit looks equally devastated, like Carter just told him Christmas is canceled.
"He can have a dog treat, though," I offer, pulling a small bag from my purse. I always carry them for our walks. "If your dad says it's okay."
"Can he, Daddy? Please?"
"Sure." Carter smiles slightly. "Just one though. Don't want to spoil his breakfast."
Maya takes the treat reverently, holds it out to Biscuit like she's presenting him with a royal gift. He takes it gently. He's always careful with kids and she giggles with delight.
"Alice!"
The voice cuts through the morning air like a siren. I close my eyes because I know that voice. Know exactly who's about to descend on our table like a well-meaning tornado.
Claire.
She materializes at our table in about 3 seconds, smiling brightly and gleefully. She's wearing workout clothes, her hair in a ponytail, clearly on a morning run that just happened to take her past The Grind.
Sure it did.
"Hey! I was just running by and saw you guys and thought I'd say hi!" The lie is so transparent, I'm amazed she can say it with a straight face. "You must be Carter. I'm Claire, Alice's best friend and the person who's been hearing all about you."
I want to die. Actually want to sink through the floor and disappear forever.
"Claire," I say through gritted teeth. "This is Carter and his daughter Maya."
"Hi!" Maya waves enthusiastically. "This is Biscuit! He's the best dog ever!"
"He really is," Claire agrees, giving Biscuit a pat. Then she looks at me with an expression I know too well, the one that means she's about to do something I'm going to want to kill her for. "Hey, you know what? I was actually thinking about heading to the park for a cooldown. Maya, would you want to come with me? You and Biscuit could play on the swings while your dad and Alice finish breakfast?"
"Can I, Daddy?" Maya is already bouncing in her seat. "Please?"
Carter looks at me, then at Claire, clearly trying to assess whether this is safe. Whether he can trust this stranger with his daughter.
"I'm a pediatric nurse," Claire says, reading his hesitation. "I work at Blackwater Memorial. Alice has known me for ten years. I'm very responsible, I promise. And the park is literally a two-minute walk from here. You can see it from the outdoor seating area. We'll stay where you can see us."
"Claire, you don't have to—" I start.
"I want to!" She's still smiling, but her eyes are saying *let me do this for you*. "Besides, I love kids. And dogs. And giving my best friend some alone time with her breakfast companion."
The emphasis on "alone time" is not subtle. Not even a little bit.
