Page 27 of Truck

“Grady, my job, my actual job, not the diner job is helping people with their financials, which means I have to be really, really good at math,” I say it with pride in my voice.

“You would help me?”

“Of course I would. How about Saturday afternoons? You get Jill to drop you at my house and we’ll work through all the problems you are having.”

Grady laughs, “I’m going to work hard, Rory. I’ll not let you down.”

“I know you won’t. Now, let’s go eat ice cream,” I giggle as I pull into the parking lot in front of the shop, and my mouth nearly waters at the thought of ice cream.

The ice cream goes down well. We talk, laugh, and enjoy the thirty minutes at the shop. “Are you ready to go now, Grady? I’ve got to get to work.”

“Thank you, Rory, for the ice cream, and for helping me with math,” Grady gives me such an earnest look that I squeeze his hand as I respond.

“Oh, you may not say that when you’ve had your first lesson,” I reply with a huge smile on my face.

Walking into the diner, Grady takes a seat, and I quickly make my way behind the counter to the staff area where I pick up my apron and wash my hands ready to start my evening shift.

“Was Grady behaving?” Jill asks as she takes her apron off. Ending her shift as I start mine.

“He was so good. We went for an ice cream, and I’ve offered to help him with math on Saturdays if you’ll drop him at my house?”

“You can help him with math?” Jill asks shocked.

I can’t help but laugh as I respond. “Yes, I can. I’m a financial manager. I help people get the best from their businesses, and to do that I have excellent math skills.”

“Wow. That’s good to know, Rory,” Jill giggled. “It’s a shame you can’t make my salary double what I get.”

“No, that’s not something I can do for you,” I shake my head while smiling. “I’ve got to get to work, Jill. But I want to speak to you about your mother and about a fundraiser to help with her mounting health costs.”

“She’s not doing well. The accident was terrible enough, but now they’ve found…”

Before Jill can complete her sentence Shelby shouts. “Rory, I need you here. We have customers waiting.”

I dash into the diner, grab my order pad and pencil, and hurry to the first table and take their orders.

I can see Grady from the corner of my eye, and he’s smirking at the way I’ve had to rush to take orders. As I walk away from the table I point at him, and as an eleven-year-old would, he laughs loudly.

Three hours later my feet are hurting. I should have stayed with the Doc Martens I usually wear under my black work pants. They are shoes rather than boots and have been worn soft over the years. They are so comfortable I could wear them for days, having no discomfort at all. I also have Doc Marten boots that I love just as much and always had Terrence laughing at me because he said I should have been a biker’s girl with the type of clothes I like.

I pick up a plate with a BLT sitting on it nicely. Grab a black coffee and take a seat on one side near the kitchen. Break time is welcome this evening because I’m tired.

“Can I sit with you, Rory?”

Looking up, I give Rum a bright smile. “Of course you can.”

“What is your order?” I ask because I’ll take it to the kitchen and make sure it’s placed.

“Shelby took my order. You looked miles away when I came into the diner.” Rum takes the seat opposite mine and studies my face.

“I was thinking about my shoes. I should have worn my worn-in shoes that are like slippers instead of these that are scrunching up my toes.” I grimace as I speak so Rum knows I’m serious.

“Oh, well, comfortable shoes are always best when you are on your feet all day.” Rum looks up when Shelby places a plate in front of him.

“Take a while longer, Rory. It’s quiet tonight.” Shelby doesn’t wait for me to respond. Shelby quickly walks away, leaving me shocked that she’s not telling me my break is nearly over.

I finish my sandwich and look at Rum enjoying his pot pie. “Are you enjoying your job, Rum?”

“You know, Rory, I was bored to tears sitting at home all day. Now I’m working in the office at the gas station thanks to Truck. He’s a good man, and I’m teaching him all about running the place. I’m not sure he’s got the hang of ordering everything yet.” Rum chuckles. “It’s going to be a good gas station, with the vehicle recovery business behind it. They are having a membership option, so people can pay an annual fee or monthly payments. It’s a way of cutting down on the out of area calls they have been having. Bull, he’s the manager of that business, has been telling me if it continued to grow at the rate it was they’d have to take on a lot of men, and buy a lot of recovery vehicles.”