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“In a way, yeah.”
He cocks a brow.
I don’t have to lie to him. I’m learning that with Parker, I can just say it how it is, and I love that.
“I waited around for him most of the day, and then saw him come out of an elevator with this woman. And you know how you said I should just feel what’s going on, instead of trying to intellectually analyze it?”
He widens his eyes playfully. “I said that? Wow.”
“Not in those words exactly, but you know what I mean. You saidjust feel it, and I did. My gut knows he’s with that other woman, and I think on some level, I knew the whole time.”
This beer’s making me chatty.
I lift it up and am surprised to see I’ve emptied a third of the big glass already. I take another sip. Okay,gulp. I’ve had a crazy day. All that embarrassment.
It’s so good to be back in Pines Peak. Away from that fancy hotel and the stress I experienced there.
“It’s kind of… weirdly refreshing,” I admit to Parker, who’s still listening attentively. “To stop being in denial about it. I think I’ve been in denial since I saw them together at that Starbucks. That time I told you about. And it takes a lot of mental energy to keep a wall up like that in your mind, holding back a truth you know, but won’t let in.”
“Good. It’s good to try to see things like they are. Instead of how you want them to be.”
“You’re… wise. You know that? Not book smart like so many people are, but wise in an old man way.”
He laughs. “I’m only thirty-three.”
“I know, I know. You have a good perspective on things, is all I’m trying to say. You know how elderly people get, thanks to life experience? It’s like you havethat. And that’s helpful. I went to lots of school, but sometimes all that learning doesn’t do me much good.”
“Give yourself some credit. You’re doing fine. I looked up your company. Now that my phone’s all charged up, figured I should use it. Pretty impressive, what you’ve accomplished. There were all sorts of articles…”
“I’ve been working hard.” Too hard, maybe.
“And you were featured in a big deal documentary? Nice work.”
“You should’ve seen me that week. I was a wreck, I was so nervous. But the filming went okay.”
“Better than okay, I’d say. There were lots of articles about how good it was. How amazingyouwere.”
“We did get buckets of new clients thanks to that.”
I’m mid-sip when Delilah sweeps in and deposits a steaming plate in front of me. “Here are those fries.” She pats Parker’s arm as she squeezes behind him. “Hey, any word on that order of Labatts? We’re low, out back.”
“Danny’s behind on deliveries,” Parker says. “His wife just had the baby. He’s got another guy covering, but they’re way behind. Should be here tomorrow, though. If we run out tonight, let’s put PBR on special instead. Tall boys, three bucks.”
“Got it.”
I listen to the two chat for another minute while I scrutinize the pile of food in front of me.
My scrutiny quickly changes to admiration. The cloud of scented steam coming off the thick mess of fries makes my mouth water.
“Okay, what’s in this dish?” I ask Parker, once Delilah’s gone.
I’d like to also ask him why he thinks he can call the shots about what beer’s on special, but that particular question drifts to the back of my mind as I lift a drenched fry. It’s dirty, alright. Dripping with a sauce of some kind. And down on the plate, there’s a whole pile more of them, swimming in gravy, with chunks of unidentified white stuff nestled here and there.
“Try it,” Parker instructs.
“I want to know what it is, first. What’s this sauce? What are these chunks of white?”
He chuckles. “Would you take a risk for once? It’ll be good for you.”
