“And what does she want?”
Why does everyone keep asking me that?
“I don’t know.”
“Maybe you should ask her. Because if she’s gone back home, then I think you’ve got your answer.”
I grunt. My brother is useless.
“So I should just go and speak to her then?”
“Depends how much you want her back. But my guess, she’s gonna call you within the week to say she’s not coming back. You’re gonna wanna prevent that from happening. Because you won't be able to change her mind if she’s living in Texas. She’ll already be gone.”
Fuck.
My eyes dart between my watch and the flight attendant talking into the little microphone to announce they are closing the gate and I freeze. I always know what to do. I always have a plan. And if I don’t, I make one. But there doesn’t seem to be a correct course of action here. I don’t have enough information to make an informed decision. So I freeze, like a fucking possum wheezing and waiting for a predator to move along, eyes wide and frantic.
“Hey, Alfie,” my brother says softly. “Get on the flight. They’ve been callingLast Callfor five minutes.”
Chapter Thirteen
Mia
Imay have dragged myself into the shower and washed my hair, but that was the extent of what I planned to do this evening. No makeup, no effort. I was ready to walk into town and hold my head up high, regardless of looking like a swamp goblin. The bell rings as we shuffle into Darlene’s Diner. I breathe in the smell of burger grease and sweetened dairy, noting the milkshake list on the board behind the register hasn’t changed a bit since I left. The booths look a little worse for wear, the red leather is starting to crack but otherwise, nothing is different. Even the uniform is the same, pink and white pin striped skirts with a pale pink apron. When I was a kid I wanted one of those uniforms thinking they’d pair well with my rollerskates. Seeing the swish of the skirt as the person wearing it brought me my favorite milkshake was always a comfort. But now the waitress that moves swiftly through patrons, grabbing a set of menus whilst eyeing me up and down, has me swallowing hard. Because I may not know her, but she seems to know me. I feel my face heating already.
I should have stayed at home.
“I want to sit with Auntie Mia!” Annie yells for the whole diner to hear. Well, at least everyone in town will know I’m back.
Heads turn, and I hear a few tuts and whispers before we all slide into the booth. I try not to let it get to me, but I can’t say it doesn’t sting when the tops of my mom’s ears turn pink.
“What are you going to get to eat, my little lady?” my brother asks Annie.
“Curly fries.”
“You need more than that, Annie.”
“Yup, gonna get a milkshake too.” She grins up at me. “The Oreo is the best one.”
“Oh, I just love Oreos. Maybe we can share one?” I suggest.
“Oh boy, here we go,” my brother mutters.
Annie sits up on her knees and signals me to move closer to her. When I lean in, she pushes my hair away from my ear and whispers at a rate that I’m sure the Richter scale could pick up on.
“I don’t usually share with Daddy because he has a huge belly.” She taps her tummy and points right at my brother as I try to hold in my laugh. “But you look like you have a small tummy, so I’ll share with you.”
“Hey!” My brother scoffs. “My belly is not huge. I have abs, you know.”
Annie covers her face and giggles before blowing her cheeks out along with her belly, doing a fantastic Santa impression.
“Perfect, you look just like your daddy like that.”
“I know, right? I’ve been practicing.”
My mom laughs, and the owner, Darlene, comes and takes our order. Once she’s made her notes, she tucks her pad of paper back into her apron.
“So you’re back then, Mia?”
