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The laugh erupted before I could do anything to stop it. “Vivi, that shit is right up there with homie.”
She sucked in a breath as the memory came to her. “I am the hippest chick on the planet, thank you very much.”
“I’ll let that one slide only because you let me look at your tits.”
“I wouldn’t say let, you dirty old man.”
I laughed. “Aren’t you like three months older than me? That makes you a cougar.”
She waved me out of the camper and locked the side door. “Give me the address and I’ll meet you there.”
“I don’t think so, babe. Hop on the back of my bike.” I smiled and looked around the campsite. “Where’s your bike?”
“Someplace safe. And I don’t take rides from strangers.”
“Fine. Mayhem Diner. See you there.” I wasn’t worried. I knew she would show because
she knew I would track her down. Again. And again if I had to. And five minutes after I took a seat, she walked in with attitude radiating off her in waves.
“Vivi. So glad you could join me.”
She flashed a fake ass smile as she—reluctantly—took the seat that put her back facing the door. More proof that she was in some deep shit. “Jeremiah. You made me drive that big ass camper over here so tell me, what’s up?”
So we were gonna do small talk. “Quite a lot, actually. But nothing you really care about.”
She opened her mouth to say something bitchy I’m sure, but our waitress Myrna stopped to take our order. “What can I getcha?”
“I’ll have the garden salad and a cheeseburger with grilled onions. A tall glass of ice water and an iced tea, please.”
“A girl with an appetite and a figure like that? Where’d you find this one, Jag?”
“She found me, Myrna.”
“Smart girl,” she said and flashed a wink at Vivi. “What’ll it be, Jag?”
“Steak sandwich and fries. Extra cheese. Thanks.”
“No problem. I’ll be back with your drinks.” She winked one last time, always trying to play the role of matchmaker.
“Don’t mind, Myrna. She thinks we’re all her children. She’s sweet and firm, always has a piece of advice you didn’t ask for but needed anyway.”
“You like her.”
“She’s great.” Myrna brought the drinks and Vivi took her time, arranging both glasses until they were perfect. She was hesitating. “Vivi you sought me out. Why?”
She sighed and took a long sip of her iced tea. Under the harsh diner lights the colors and shadows of her tattoos looked ominous. Foreboding. She didn’t want to answer. Either that or she was trying to figure out which version of the truth to tell me. “Like I said, I was curious.”
“You never were before.”
She winced at my tone, nodding absently. “I figured that’s how you saw it even though it’s not the truth. Doesn’t matter now, though, does it?”
“How else should I have seen it?” If she didn’t want to talk about why she’d come here, then she could tell me why she didn’t want to meet with me so many years ago.
“Maybe you should have considered that I was all on my own and worried about everything. I was worried you wouldn’t like me because I was flat-chested and I had shitty clothes. My place didn’t have much furniture, just a big ass sofa, a TV and plenty of computer equipment. I was embarrassed and afraid.”
“Here you kids go.” Myrna’s appearance with the food did nothing to break the tension.
“You’re right, I probably should have realized all that. I didn’t.”
