They heard laughter from one of the parlors. “Why don’t we head to the diner and talk? Mama and Papa are entertaining tonight and thankfully my presence isn’t needed.”
Gen glanced at the doors, and the stormy night beyond the frosted glass embedded in them. “The weather’s not great. Are you sure? We can talk here too?”
More laughter, coming closer. “I’m sure. Let’s change and head out.”
Sam was taller and less curvy than Gen, but had some loose clothes that would fit Gen. Thankfully they were the same shoe size, so she grabbed a pair of Sam’s tennis shoes and gave her feet some relief.
They headed back towards the front door, pausing to make sure their guests wouldn’t see them, but Sam let the butler know where they were going.
There was a multicar garage but Sam usually parked on the street when her parents had guests over, so the guests could park there instead on rainy nights.
The Silver Light Diner was a staple in Valentia, especially for their generation. Tucked away just off a main road, it had been launched to mimic the American-style diners they’d watched in movies. Though the food was a mix of Vallerian and American, it was always good, always cheap, and it was also open 24 hours a day, closing only during the two-week national holiday in August.
After parking, they ran towards the door to beat the rain. They’d forgotten an umbrella, but neither of them seemed to mind.
The bell on the door jingled as they walked in. It wasn’t as busy, not surprising for a stormy night. If it had been a typical summer day, all the booths would be full. As it was, they claimed their favorite spot in a back corner on the front side of the diner.
“Hi, ladies, welcome back.”
Gen glanced up, smiling at their favorite waitress, Francine. Frannie had gone to a different school than she and Sam had, but they were all the same age and had bonded over their love of well-cooked fries and American-style pies.
Sam took one of the menus Frannie was handing out. “Hi, Frannie. Slow night?”
“Not too bad actually. We had a rush with the after-work crowd.”
Sam leaned forward, a knowing smile on her face. “Oh? Did a certainsomeonecome by today?”
Frannie just rolled her eyes. “As a matter of fact, he did. What of it?”
“Did you say yes when he asked you out again?”
“No. I know his type. I’ve heard him talk about this person he was dating or that one. He’s not looking for serious, and I am. We just won’t fit.”
Tension clamped down in her stomach; Frannie’s situation sounded a lot like Gen’s, minus the ‘future king’ bit.
Sam seemed to pick up on Gen’s mood shift and asked Frannie for a minute to decide what they wanted. After she walked away, Sam leaned over and put a hand over hers. “Are you all right?”
“Frannie and I seem to be living parallel lives, that’s all.”
“Is she in love with the prince too? I thought she being annoyed by a gardener or something?”
“No. I mean, she is, with the gardener. His name’s Ettore, and he sounds a lot like Gabriel.” Gen spent some time talking through everything that had happened with Gabriel that day, and really since the ball when they had first danced.
Sam sighed. “Oh, Gen. Let’s order and talk through this. We’ll need sustenance and this will be a long conversation.”
Gen rubbed her stomach. “I don’t think I could eat anything honestly. I feel all tied up in knots after the day I’ve had.”
“I understand, but who knows you best?” Sam pointed a thumb at herself. “Me, that’s right. You always go from sad to angry to contemplative, and then you get hungry.”
Gen wasn’t sure why she felt offended but she did. “I do not.”
“You do.”
“I don’t.”
“You. Do.” Sam called Frannie over and ordered for both of them while Gen silently fumed on her side of the booth.
Frannie faced Gen. “Are you all right?”
