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She sighs. “I should have been more available.”
“Me too.” I feel every bit of my regrets, and admit it’s satisfying to hear some of hers in her tone. “But that’s the past.”
“History often repeats itself. The movie will end, and you probably have your family to see for the holidays. I already missed my shot to go home for Christmas. I guess I’ll try to make time to see my family in January. Then something else will come up.” She groans. “I hate Christmas.”
Not a huge fan of the commercialization of holidays myself, I’m still sad to hear her say she hates Christmas. “Do you have a big family, Grace?”
She laughs. “You have no idea.”
“Give me one.” I lead her through the parking lot of the mom-and-pop burger place.
She lights up at the sight of the run-down blue walls and a half-lit neon sign that readsManny’s. “I love a good dive.”
The joy in her voice makes me laugh. “Me too. This place has the best service and juiciest burgers around.”
We grab a booth in the narrow diner.
Manny lumbers over, his crisp white apron snug against his large belly. “Hey, Landon. You want the usual?”
I lean toward Grace. “Do you like hamburgers?”
“Yes.” Her eyes are bright.
“Do you trust me?”
“Sure.” She laughs.
It’s the best sound ever. I shift my attention back to Manny. “Manny, we’ll take two of your special burgers, fries, and chocolate milkshakes.”
“You got it.” Manny ambles away and calls the order into the kitchen’s open window.
“I’ll be sick after all that.” She slaps the table, still laughing.
I take her hand. “How big is your family?”
“Didn’t we get to this two years ago?” She toys with my knuckles, investigating every scar and callus on my hand.
“Nope. You interrogated me all night and didn’t answer any of my questions.” Turning her hand up, I trace a line over her palm.
She stares at her hand in mine, then meets my gaze. “Lanes have a lot of kids. At least the last couple of generations did. I’m one of eight.”
“Eight! That is a lot of kids.” I’m sure my mouth is hanging open. Who has eight kids?
“Yup. I have something like thirty-eight first cousins.” She grins at me.
“You know how crazy that sounds, right?” I’m still holding her hand, but I’m lost in the idea of that many people sharing grandparents.
“I know. It’s a lot, but I love them. They’re loud and funny. Going back to Roseville is the best.” She stares over my shoulder as if she can see her hometown behind me.
I close my hand over hers. “You don’t get home much, I guess.”
“No. Not much. In fact, the last time I was home was just before I met you. I was supposed to fly back for the holidays this year…” She doesn’t bother to state the obvious.
“The restaurant is always too busy at Christmas and New Year. I try to get back to Missouri in January, but it’s cold in the Ozarks that time of year. If things are going smoothly, I squeeze in a spring trip.” I miss my family, but there are only five people in my family. I can’t imagine missing a small army, as she does.
“You have a brother and a sister and you’re the oldest, right?” She presses her other hand over mine. “That’s a nice size family. They must miss you at Christmas.”
Shrugging, I love having her attention. I love listening to her voice. “My niece and nephews keep them all pretty busy. One uncle less, they probably don’t even notice.”
