Page 54 of Forgotten Path
Craig watched her go. “Stinks about her dad.”
Judith bit her tongue. Craig had no idea what a load that young woman was carrying. He’d never sacrificed a blessed thing for a single person. But she’d resolved not to argue with him. Not today. Not when she’d already accused him of being a thief, and not when he’d offered to come to the food distribution.
“Did the oatmeal bath give you any relief?” she asked instead.
He made a puzzled face.
“The rash?” she prompted.
“Oh, right. Uh, yeah. It helped some.”
“Good. When we leave here, we’ll swing by the pharmacy before we go to the food pantry and pick up your ointment.”
They lapsed into silence. Judith checked out the surrounding tables. Everyone was eating one of Lou’s seafood specials. She smiled to herself. Good. Louisa never complained or talked about how the business was doing, but Judith knew the diner was operating on a shoestring. If it weren’t for Lou’s thriftiness and fantastic cooking, the place would’ve closed ages ago. And then where would the community go? Judith tried to imagine Oyster Point without St. Lou’s, but she simply couldn’t. The diner was an essential part of the town. No, not just part of the town—it was the beating heart, the very center.
Luckily, Marnie chose that moment to arrive with their sandwiches, so Judith didn’t have to contemplate that particular nightmare scenario any longer. She placed their plates on the table along with a new glass of iced tea for Craig.
“Do you need anything else?”
“We’re all set, Marnie.”
“Enjoy your lunch.”
She needn’t have bothered. They already were.
Between bites, Craig craned his neck and looked around. “Wonder if any of your gal pals are here.”
She paused with a potato chip halfway to her mouth. “What gal pals?”
“You know, Patty, Lucinda, Iris … your gals.”
“I wouldn’t say they’re my gals, Craig,” she said with a laugh before popping the chip into her mouth and crunching down on it. “They’re just some of the ladies I know.”
“Yeah, okay. But I thought maybe they’d know more about what that Dr. King guy’s doing here.” He shrugged. “Or they might have an update about what happened to Doc. I dunno.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Why so interested?”
“I’m not. Just making conversation.” He took a huge bite of his sandwich and chewed.
“Hmm.”
Craig wasn’t the most sparkling conversationalist, but even for him, the choice of topic was odd. She decided to let it go and enjoy her sandwich.
As Judith was paying the bill, the bell over the door rang. She glanced up to see a tall, thin stranger in need of a haircut come inside and ask Marnie a question. Marnie turned and pointed directly at Judith. She hurriedly dropped her gaze.
The man walked over and stood right by her elbow. “Excuse me, Ms. Lowell?”
“That’s me. But folks around here just call me Judy. And you are?”
“Bodhi King. I’m a friend of Joel Ashland’s.” He stuck out his hand. “I was told you might be able to help me.”
* * *
Bodhi watchedJudy Lowell’s face as she decided whether to talk to him. She was expressive; the range of emotions she displayed would have made her an outstanding actress—and a terrible poker player. She cycled through surprise, distrust, fear, and worry before landing on curiosity and a decision.
She shook his hand quickly, then said, “Come on, Marnie hasn’t cleared my table yet. We can sit and talk for a minute.” She turned to the young man standing next to her and handed him a bank card. “Craig, run over to Rhoda’s and get your prescription while I talk to Dr. King. Swing back and pick me up.”
“But, Gran. I don’t mind waiting.” He caught Bodhi’s eye. “I’m Craig, Judy’s grandson.”
