I pull open the fridge and give him an inventory.
“Beer, iced tea, Gatorade, orange juice, and bottled water.Sorry, we don’t have pop in the house or anything stronger than beer.”
I’m surprised when he says, “I’ll have an iced tea.”
“No beer?”
“Don’t wanna give your boys the wrong idea since I’ll be driving home later.”
It took me a while to see it, but yeah, Clem is one of the good ones.The guys you stop believing are real after life proves you wrong time and time again.This is just the latest in the growing list of checkmarks next to Clem’s name.
“I don’t think you’ll corrupt them having one beer, but I appreciate the consideration.You’re a good man, Clem Tanek.A good, decent man.”
He coughs out a laugh.“Good?Decent?You make me sound boring.”
“Oh, you are far from boring.Believe me.”
Pulling the pitcher of iced tea from the fridge, I pour him a glass.But when I turn around to hand it to him, the look in his eyes stops me.
Heat.Pure unadulterated heat that singes me right to the very tips of my toes.
“Momma!Is dinner ready?”Linc yells from upstairs.
“Oh shit,” I mumble, racing for my Crocs by the door.
My burgers.
Clem
“Mom makes them.”
I glance across the table at Tessa who keeps her eyes down on her plate, a lock of the hair she’s wearing loose tonight partly covering her face.
Linc’s response was to my comment these are some of the best burgers I’ve eaten, and asking where she bought them.
“Hats off,” I tell her.“They’re delicious.Full of flavor.What do you make them with?”
I already talked cars and football with the boys, but Tessa has been quietly listening instead of participating in the conversation.I guess those are maybe not her favorite subjects, which is why I’m shifting to the most excellent dinner she put together.
“They’re nothing special.I just sauté chopped onions, garlic, and peppers with paprika, a pinch of chili flakes, salt, and fresh ground black pepper.Then I let that cool a little and add it to a mix of a quarter part pork to three-quarter parts lean beef or bison, a good squirt of ketchup, a heaping spoon of coarse mustard, and a handful or more of grated old cheddar.I usually make a big batch at a time and freeze it.”
“I’ll have to remember that.Although, I should probably invest in a new grill first.I ditched my last one when I moved into the firehouse.It was old and rusted clear through.”
“I couldn’t do without mine,” she shares.“I use it almost daily, summer or winter.”
“Mom’s burgers are the best any time of year,” Remi contributes with his mouth full, putting a soft, pleased smile on his mother’s mouth.
“I can see why.”
“Nope.Her rib eye steak,” Linc disagrees.
I listen to the two brothers bickering over which is better, as I finish my dinner, stealing an occasional glance at Tessa across the table.
“So…” Linc drawls moments later, when I return to the table from clearing the dishes.
Tessa is still in the kitchen, looking for a candle to stick on the cake, and it appears the boys have decided to corner me.They’re both looking at me.
“What’s your deal with Mom?”the oldest kid asks, his tone not necessarily unfriendly.
