Page 29 of Hot Chicken

“Ms. Fletcher, huh?” I tease as I blow across the dark, steamy richness in my paper cup.

“She was repaying a favor. I let her fill her tank and pay me later when she ran short last week and was afraid she wouldn’t make it to pick up her grandkids from school.”

The door chimes, and a man, I’m sure is a tourist, walks in. He’s sporting a bright Tommy Bahama button-up and the look of surprise most wear once they’ve discovered the inside of Salty Jo’s doesn’t match the outside. The dichotomy of this part of town has never felt more evident than today. ‘The Have’s’ stop in and try not to get their hands dirty while ‘The Have Not’s’ find ways to help their neighbor in a jam. As if the universe wants to make the division even more clear, the doorbell rings once more as haughty Jennifer Jones Hamilton strolls in on four-inch heels and places her well-manicured hand on the forearm of ‘Tommy Bahama’ who walked in before her.

My gaze drops to my now chipped nails, and I sigh at the memory of having them painted at The Mistletoe Spa before my date. Matt hasn’t even left, and my heart hurts already.

“Hi. The credit card machine isn’t working on pump number nine. Do I need to move to another one, or can I get fifty dollars worth of premium?”

“Sorry about that. I’ll take care of it here,” Jo says, reaching for the man’s platinum American Express card. “That one’s been giving me a fit lately.”

“Thank you. Oh, and where’s your coffee?” The tall gentleman with the big shiny Movado on his arm asks Jo.

We both start to point in the direction of the coffee station when Jennifer interrupts. “Oh, you don’t want coffee from here, Nathan. I’ll take you somewhere for that.” She sneers in my direction as if I should be offended. It’s no skin off my nose.I don’t drink the coffee from here either, bitch.

The two of them walk away just before Jo places his hand on my arm. “So, what’s with the long face? I would’ve thought you’d be buzzing like a bee over moving into the new place.”

“Oh, I am. It’s just…” I bite the inside of my cheek to contain my emotions. Why am I letting this get to me? “Matt’s leaving on Saturday.”

A solemn look invades Jo’s previously rosy expression. He knows me so well. It’s rare I let anyone in.

“I’m kicking myself that I let my guard down. That I hoped someone might stay this time. Everyone I care about always leaves. One way or another. Why should he be any different?”

His warm hand gives mine a squeeze, and I look away to avoid letting him see me get emotional, just for my gaze to land on Jennifer’s smug face.

“Oh, please. Did you really think someone like Matthew Hightower would want trailer trash like you?”

My eyes fly around the convenience store, shocked she’d show her true colors in front of Mr. Richy Rich, when I notice him outside, fueling up his Range Rover.

“He might’ve decided to go slumming while he’s here. Desperate women probably go out of their way to give good head.” She scoffs. “But they’re only a diversion until guys like him go back to a real woman.”

The stool topples to the ground behind me in my haste to get to her. Jo squeezes his fist tightly around my arm, pulling me back behind him.

“Young lady. If you ever so much as set one toe back on my property, I’ll call the police and have you arrested for harassment.” Jo points to the sign hanging over the cigarettes behind him.

We have the right to refuse service to idiots.

“And Ellie is too polite to say it. But if anyone is slumming around here, it’s that guy,” Jo says, moving his wrinkly pointer finger toward Tommy Bahama. “Now get out!”

Jennifer spins on her heel, wobbling as if she’s lost her balance momentarily, before stomping out the front door.

“Good riddance.”

“Thank you. You know I don’t need anyone fighting my battles for me. I’ll never let her or anyone like her get under my skin again. That girl is long gone.” I lift my chin and watch as Jennifer parades around her companion as if nothing ever happened. “But I appreciate it just the same.”

I need to focus on what’s important. I have good people in my life. Neighbors who’ve helped us to secure this new place to live, Salty Jo, and Pops, for as long as I have him. And Matt is and will always be special to me. I’m sad to see him go, but there was never the promise of more. He’s been clear from the start that his visit is temporary.

Jo looks about the space, ensuring we’re alone. “You listen to me, Ellie girl. The problem here is you.”

My mouth falls agape. Did I hear him right? Jo has never spoken to me like this.

“You may think you’ve grown, but you’re still a work in progress. Hell, we all are. But growth is more than not letting some shallow smart ass get the best of you. Deep down, I don’t think you believe you deserve someone like Matthew Hightower to stick around. You still think it’s us versus them. And in the case of Little Miss Tight Ass, you’re right.” Jo shakes his head and takes a step closer, pushing his index finger into my chest. “But until you believe you’re worth staying for, no one will.”

I splutter, attempting to defend myself, but Jo walks away before any coherent words can escape my mouth. Walking back to the industrial oven to check on the cornbread, I let his words of tough love replay in my head. Maybe he’s right. I thought I’d come a long way from the girl who let people trample her. But perhaps I haven’t done enough. I need to start believing I’m truly worth sticking around for.

Then, maybe someone else will too.

Chapter 27

---