Page 54 of Backwater Justice

“Norman, do you want us to bring anything back for you?” Jessica asked.

“Nah. I’ll grab a sandwich from the cafeteria. Juan’s food is delicious, but my stomach tends to disagree.”

“Thanks for that tidbit of information.” Jessica chuckled. “Come on, Iz. You don’t mind if I call you ‘Iz,’ do you?”

“No, not really.”What else could she say? I prefer Isabelle and sound like a snob? Nope.

“Most of us have nicknames, but some of us don’t know what they are!” Jessica cackled. “You know what I mean.”

“I sure do. I used to have a boss named Bruce Bristow. He was like a robot, so we called him Bris-toid. Not to his face!” Isabelle laughed. It wasn’t true. She’d never known a Bruce Bristow, but she was working her way into Jessica’s confidence.

“I like the way you think.” Jessica held the door that led to the parking lot.

If she only knew what I really thought, Isabelle mused. There was already a line in front of Grande Garcia’s truck. “What do you recommend?” she asked, while Jessica greeted her coworkers.

“I love his empanadas, especially the beef.”

The aroma from the food truck wafted through the air. “Smells delicious,” Isabelle noted.

“If you like tacos, he makes one with shredded chicken and guac.”

“Stop. You’re making me hungry!” Isabelle joked. Sorta. Actually, it was the scent of the food that was making her mouth water.

Jessica kept introducing Isabelle to everyone they came in contact with.

“I am never going to remember everyone’s name,” she whispered under her breath.

“Don’t worry about it. They’re either Joe, Jim, Mack, Bucky, or Jake. I’ve been here for twenty years and still haven’t figured it out. They call each other ‘dude’ or ‘bud,’ so it’s hard keeping up.” Jessica was finally at the front of the line. “Buenos Dias, Juan!”

“Buenos Dias, my favorite customer!” A very large man with a mustache grinned.

“Oh, I know you say that to everyone.” Jessica was almost blushing. Isabelle noticed there was no wedding band on Jessica’s left hand. That’s when she realized she was wearing hers. She needed a story just in case someone asked, and based on the few short minutes she’d spent with Jessica, Isabelle was sure Jess would notice,andask.He travels a lot for business. True enough.

“Who is your new friend?” Juan asked.

“This is Isabelle. She’s going to be overseeing the facilities while Mr. Spangler is recuperating.”

“Bueno. Welcome!” Juan gave her a wide smile. “I have prepared something new today. Tinga tosta-dos. Muy bueno!”

“I’ll take two,” Jessica said.

“Me, too!”

“And a side of guac,” Jessica said. “For both of us.”

Isabelle reached into her purse to get her wallet.

“Oh, no, you don’t. This is on me. A welcome to S.E.I. lunch.”

“That’s very sweet of you,” Isabelle said. “Thank you.” Isabelle remembered a conversation she’d had with Myra a few years before.When someone pays you a compliment or does you a favor, be gracious. Say thank you. No justifications. No explanations. Don’t diminish their observation or kindness. Just a simple thank you. They’ll appreciate it as much as you appreciate the gesture.

Juan handed them a box filled with their food, plus two bottles of Mexican soda. “Today, lunch is my pleasure. A welcome to Salem.” The women looked at each other. “You too, Jessica.”

“Thank you so much,” Isabelle cooed.

Jessica was dumbfounded. “Wow. I should stick with you, kiddo. Maybe we can score a few free beers at the bowling alley,” Jessica joked.

Isabelle laughed. “I’m not much of a bowler. More like a gutterer, if that’s a word.”

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