Page 36 of Falling Together

The drive is short to the Pancake Emporium. Same place as last time. Maybe this time we’ll actually get around to ordering dinner.

Finding a parking spot, I take a few deep breaths. Considering neither of us really knows much about each other, I’m glad we will get the chance to know each other better.

When I walk into the cool air conditioning of the restaurant, Georgia is again waiting for me. She looks less nervous this time.

Her blonde hair brushes her shoulders. A Loggers T-shirt stretches out across her chest. I’ve now seen her so many different ways, but I have to say, this relaxed look is my favorite.

“Hey.”

I slide into the booth across from her.

“Hey. Thanks for coming,” she says. “I’m glad we can do this.”

“I’m glad we’re doing this together.”

“About that,” she starts. “What are we?”

“What do you want to be?”

“Friends?” It comes out as more of a question.

“Only friends?”

“I don’t think we can be anything more right now,” she answers. “You just moved here. Would starting a relationship really be the smartest thing to do?”

“Right. Friends.” I smile at her. “This might be the weirdest friendship I’ve ever had though.”

“I’m your first friend that you knocked up?”

“Yes,” I deadpan. “I can honestly say it’s never happened before.”

“I guess I should feel special.”

A brief flash of something passes in her eyes before it’s gone.

“You two are back.” The waitress from the other night walks up to our table. “Everything okay at home?”

“Home?” I ask.

“I said you had to get home to your son the other night,” Georgia responds.

“Oh, yeah. Teenagers, you know.”

She shakes her head. “My kids are grown. Glad those days are behind me.”

I wince. “Mine is fourteen. I’m in the thick of it.”

She pats me on the shoulder. “Good luck. That’s all I can say.”

“Thanks.”

“Now, the usual tonight, Georgia?”

“That’d be great, Amy. And an extra side of home fries too.”

“You got it. For you?”

This Amy person turns her attention to me.