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The waitress smiled, noticing Calvin’s excitement. When he realized she was looking at him, he visibly wilted under her scrutiny. He fiddled with his fingers, his eyes everywhere but on the waitress. She noticed the change too, and her smile faltered as she wrote down the rest of the orders before walking away.
“Are you okay?” I asked as Calvin pressed into my side, like I’d be able to hide him.
Calvin gave me a small, sad smile that twisted my heart before nodding.
When the onion rings finally found our table, Calvin eyed it until the waitress walked away. Then it had no chance. Calvin pounced. I stared, wide-eyed, as he tore apart the rings into smaller pieces and then drowned them in ketchup and pepper. He then proceeded to use a fork to eat the small pieces. I was pretty sure once in a while, all he had on his fork was ketchup bedazzled with pepper.
I managed to eat a couple of rings, fearing for my poor fingers each time.
“So, Cadence,” Bryan said, interrupting the show Calvin put on for me, “how did you manage to get roped into performing for Hope’s Embrace?”
I shrugged. “Lindie got me the first gig. I did well enough for them to invite me back each year.”
“And the songs you played?” Paxon asked.
“I created the pieces myself. I compose them specifically for the event and don’t make them available for anyone else. I’ll actually start composing the next set soon for next year in case they invite me back again. Normally, I donate each piece of music as my contribution and they sell or give them to people they work with. I think they hold music classes too and use them there.”
“And the song you sang? What was that and why did you decide on that song?” Seth asked.
I narrowed my eyes. It felt like I was getting the third degree from them and they were searching for some kind of answer to a question they weren’t saying out loud.
“A song I wrote for them. As for the why, do I really need to answer that? Did you not listen to my speech beforehand or to the lyrics? Abused kids are trapped, and their stories all too often are never told. Not all of them are lucky. Everyone wants our story told and people need to realize the depth of child abuse.”
Justin’s eyes narrowed as I talked at the end. I must have said something wrong, but I couldn’t figure out what. Why had he laser focused on me? I didn’t think I said anything too interesting. Only the truth.
“I figured it was you guys,” an older man said as he came over with a tray stacked with food. He was a tall Black man, with broad shoulders, a dangerous dark gaze, and strong presence that set me on edge. It was easy to believe that he had been in the military at some point. A dark scar ran down his left cheek, stopping shy of his lips.
“What makes you think I can stay away?” Toby practically stared at the food, licking his lips.
The man chuckled. It was low, a bit scratchy. “Dessert is on the house, like always.” After he finished putting the plates down, sparing me only a curious glance, he patted Toby’s shoulders before walking away.
I didn’t miss how some of the others in the diner stared at him with their own hint of anxiety. He was scary without having to do anything. No wonder the Ryders stayed away. Instead of that little tidbit scaring me, it calmed me. The rest of my misgivings about this place flew away.
No idiot would dare challenge that man. My car was safe. I was safe.
I barely noticed all the looks the guys were sharing with each other as they glanced my way. The food smelled so good, and when I took a bite, it tasted better.
I was almost halfway through when my phone went off, buzzing in my pocket. I jumped at the sudden vibration.
“What’s wrong?” Seth asked.
I laughed and pulled out my phone, glancing at the screen. Instantly, my laugh cut off as I stared at the familiar number.
“Cadence?” Seth asked.
“Oh, sorry. I have to take this.” I got up and walked away, answering at the same time. “This is Cadence speaking.”
“Cadence, it’s Dr. Livingston.” The serious voice put me on edge instantly. Since meeting her, Dr. Livingston had always been cheery and supportive.
“What can I do for you?” I asked, matching her tone.
“I just wanted to give you a quick update. Your mother had an episode and is currently sedated. We’re going to readdress her medication.”
“Is she okay? Did she injure herself?” I held my breath, waiting for an answer. When Dr. Livingston didn’t supply one right away, I felt my throat tighten as I blinked furiously.
“She’s fine. She did hurt herself. She sprained her wrist. We’ve treated it and after it heals, there shouldn’t be any problems. Luckily, it wasn’t a serious sprain, so it should be healed within two to four weeks.”
“Okay, thank you for letting me know. Should I come visit? Or do you think that’ll aggravate her?”
