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My son turns his nose up to scent the air.
“Smells weird.”
“You mean the spices, I think. Red rice isn’t really spicy, but it does have spices in it. It has little bits of sausage and bell peppers and celery.” We come to a stop behind the line of people.
“Shouldn’t we look around first and then decide where to eat?” I squint at Charlie and River.
“No!” Charlie cries. “I’m hungry!”
River flaps a hand at me. “We’ll all share one scoop. It’ll be fine. Don’t be such a tight ass.”
Charlie looks at River, a grin on his face. “That’s a bad word.”
I roll my eyes. “Yes, he did, kiddo.”
I’m jostled by someone right behind me. Ire pushes at my chest and I whirl, ready to tell them to back off.
But then I look down into Savannah’s startled face.
“So sorry!” she blurts out, stepping back and turning beet red. She’s wearing the same gray overcoat as yesterday, with black tights and high heels with gray cats printed all over them.
I clear my throat. “Savannah. What are you doing here?”
A familiar-looking young blonde woman, in bright pink tights and a pair of shiny black loafers, appears by Savannah’s side. She looks like a much curvier Savannah. She has a blond-haired little boy in tow. The little boy has his arms crossed and his tired irritation is evident in his expression. As a parent myself, I recognize a kid who’s worn out from having too much fun and looks almost comically cranky.
“Hey. Do you have the car keys?” the blonde asks Savannah. “I want to drop Dex at home to spend some quiet time with Grandad.”
Savannah digs in the pocket over her coat, producing several keys along with a pink rabbit’s foot keychain. She hands them over and then touches the blonde’s shoulder.
“Birdie, this is Cole. Cole, meet my sister Birdie.”
“Hi.” Birdie gives me a quick smile and then notices River behind me. “Oh, hey. Long time, no see, River.”
River gives her a nod. “Sup, Birdie. How are things at the newspaper?”
Birdie gives him a tight smile. “They’re fine. Staff reductions and layoffs are rampant, as per usual. I’m just glad that I have my second job as a backup plan.”
“In addition to being a reporter for The Island Daily, Birdie is also a waitress at Savage Pizza,” River explains to me.
River knows everybody. He considers it a kind of currency, I think.
I just nod. I’m too busy trying to read Savannah’s pleasantly blank expression to give much thought to my manners.
“I’m Charlie!” crows my son.
“Oh yeah.” The back of my neck heats. “This is my son, Charlie.”
Charlie hugs my legs and I bend down to pick him up. Savannah smiles at Charlie.
“That’s such a cool name. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie Brown, Charlie’s Angels. There are so many good Charlies in the world.”
His expression is very serious. “I like Char Chaps.”
“He means Charlie Chaplin,” I explain. “Right, kiddo?”
Charlie nods vigorously.
“I love Charlie Chaplin!” she says. “My Grandad loves him too. You two would probably get along. You’ll have to come to a movie night at the South Shore community center sometime. They show all the great films. Plus, they have all-you-can-eat popcorn.”
