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ChapterSeventeen
“What are you guys going on about?” Jo asked, buying herself time to calm her beating heart. She had been surprised the moment they pushed the kitchen doors open, and as the guilt of what happened earlier seeped in, she tried to distance herself from Daniel by going to stand by the prep table.
“We’re going to The Anchor for drinks. Come with us. It’ll be fun.”
“I can’t just leave. I’m in the middle of cleaning up. Today was a very busy day for the restaurant,” she explained.
“It’s okay. You can go. I’ve got this covered,” Daniel assured her.
She looked over at him with concern. “Are you sure? I don’t feel comfortable leaving all this work on you.”
“Jo, seriously, it’s fine. You did great today, and besides, there isn’t a lot left to do here,” he continued, gesturing to the few plates left on the counter. She still didn’t feel comfortable leaving him alone to clean up the rest of the mess, considering that the pots still needed to be washed, but instead of calling his attention to that, she turned to her sisters.
“What about Mom? Who’s staying with her?”
“Jules offered to keep an eye on her since she’ll be home,” Cora replied.
“Oh,” Jo returned.
As if sensing her hesitation, Andrea chimed in. “Tell you what. Why don’t we help with the dishes and then we can go? I’m sensing you won’t feel comfortable if we leave Daniel to finish up.”
Jo gave her sister a small smile.
Just like that, the women joined in to help get the kitchen spick and span.
“So, I’ll see you tomorrow,” Daniel directed his words to Jo the moment the group exited the restaurant.
Jo looked up at him and gave him a half smile before averting her eyes. “See you tomorrow,” she replied before walking away with her sisters and Marg.
When the four women entered the bar, it was already packed, as it seemed tonight was one of those nights that everyone chose for social outings. It didn’t take long for them to get seated, though. As soon as the bartender and owner, Jack Fletcher, a former high school friend, saw them, he took an extra table and chairs from the back for them to use. Although they were set up close to the doors that led to the restrooms, it was better than having to wait half an hour to an hour for a spot for their group.
“Thanks, Jake. I appreciate this.” Cora smiled up at the bald-headed, muscled man that looked like he could pass for a wrestler.
“Anything for you, Cora.” He beamed warmly at her. “Anything for the Triple H and their friends,” he added, giving everyone at the table a toothy grin and a wink before walking off to get their drinks.
“So, whose brilliant idea was it to come here tonight?” Jo asked, looking around the table at her sisters and friend.
Cora and Marg pointed to Andrea, who was already sipping on a drink she swiped from the bar.
“We all need to live a little,” Andrea shot, with a slight shrug and a smirk on her lips. “We’ve all had a crazy week. We deserve this.”
The others nodded in agreement, each thinking back on what had transpired during the week.
Just then, Jack returned with their drinks. Everyone ordered a cocktail except for Marg, who wasn’t much of a drinker and had opted to be the designated driver. After thanking Jack, the women took sips of their drink, sighing in contentment. Jo savored the sweet fruity taste of her sangria that evened out the bitter taste of the red wine. It was one of her favorites to drink, but she still had to pace herself, or she could succumb to the alcohol content quite quickly. The drink was enough for her to make up her mind that she had made the right choice to come out with her sisters.
“This drink right here is giving me life,” Andrea gushed as she continued to sip on her mixed drink. “Marg, sweetie, you’re missing out.”
Marg gave her a rueful smile before ducking her head to take a sip of the sparkling water.
“Why don’t you drink, though?” Jo found herself asking out of curiosity. “Is it a religious thing?”
By the way Marg’s eyes widened into saucers behind her glasses, and her lips quivered, Jo regretted the question. She didn’t want the woman to feel uncomfortable on account of her questioning. She liked Marg. They had all become fast friends with the woman. So much, in fact, that she knew Cora and Andrea had already considered her to be a part of the family. Jo was fast leaning toward that as well. Still, there was so much about the woman with the bubbly smile and personality that could brighten up anyone’s day that she didn’t know and had found herself wondering about on many occasions.
“I don’t drink because alcohol was one of my ex-husband’s vices, and I saw what it did to him,” she spoke softly, keeping her gaze down and away from the others.
“Oh,” Andrea gave out in surprise. “I didn’t know you were married.”
Marg brought her shoulders up to her chin before dropping them again, her lips drawn in a thin line followed the action. “It was a long time ago,” she returned nonchalantly. It didn’t hide the pain Jo had ciphered in her eyes, though.
