Page 104

I giggled. “You know I can’t eat all of that.”

“So, you take some home and heat ’em up for tomorrow. It’s all good.”

I smiled. “It is all good, isn’t it?”

She nodded.

Renzo took the menus from her and I turned up to look at him. “That’s where we used to always sit.” I pointed to a table that butted up against the window. “Lettie’s already there.”

“Well let’s go sit down.” He took my hand and then pulled out my chair for me so I could sit down.

After I was seated, I then noticed that Lisa and Roan were seated at the table to our left, and Trenda, Bella, and Simon were seated in front of us.

“Ms. Millie!” Bella cried out. She ran over to my table and plopped her elbows on it, then looked up at me. “Mama told me that this is an occasion. Is this your birthday?”

“It’s more like my coming out party,” I said.

“Do we get cake?”

“I’m sure we could get cake if we wanted it.”

“Bella, why don’t you come back here and sit down with us for a little while. You can visit with Ms. Millie after dinner. Okay?”

“Okay,” the little girl said with a grin.

Like a streak, she was back with her parents.

I looked over at Roan and Lisa. Roan gave me a solemn nod, and Lisa gave me a wave. I waved back at her, then I turned my attention to Renzo.

“How are you doing, Cariña?”

“Good. Really good.”

He smiled. “Millie, Lettie’s coming our way to take our order.”

I looked over and I saw her with her notepad. She was indeed heading our way.

“Hiya. What can I get you folks tonight?”

“Little Grandma suggested the maple bacon grilled chicken with hashbrown casserole and breaded fried okra.”

Lettie laughed. “I bet she did. What would you like to drink, Millie?”

“Sweet tea?”

“Got it.”

“What about you, Renzo?”

“Chicken and dumplings. I’ll take the green beans and broccoli.”

Lettie nodded as she wrote it down. “And to drink?”

“I’ll have sweet tea as well.”

“I’ll have your drinks right out to you.”

After she left, I blew out a stream of air. This was going pretty well. I mean, I wasn’t ready to go out partying at a bar, but being someplace safe with friends? I could do this.