Page 150 of As They Are
“She’d change the subject when someone was getting a little too close to a painful topic. And if I pressed, she would say she’s fine.” Tammy set her hands on her hips. “How similar are you?”
My stomach fell to the floor. “I-I don’t ... You caught that?”
“Yeah, I did. I notice things, kid. And you”—she pointed at me—“you have something going on. Something you’re really trying to avoid.”
“It’s nothing major.”
“Problems make themselves known. You can run, but they’re always faster. The best thing to do is find someone you trust. Have you told Mollie?”
“No,” I said. “I’m not ruining things for her.”
“Henry?”
“A little, but I don’t wanna go into details with him.”
“Have you toldanyone?”
I paused. My mantra was to pretend it wasn’t happening.
And how had that been going for me lately?
“You know, I’m some woman you barely know. And I bet it’s hard for you to trust. But if you need someone, and you look around and can’t find anyone, I’ll listen.”
“Because I remind you of your daughter?”
“And you just seem like you need someone. Whatever this is, it’s deep. It’s been following you since you got here.”
“I don’t even know where tobegin.”I let out a sigh. “And the party starts soon.”
“Begin with a feeling. The bad ones. When you feel that again, come find me.”
“You’re busy with the diner.”
“The high school girls can handle it for a bit.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I might take you up on that.”
“You can even have your little chat back here,” a deep voice said. “I won’t listen.”
“Ron!” Tammy admonished. “You’re way too quiet.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “It’s a talent.”
I laughed, wondering if this was what life could have been like with Dad if things had been slightly different, if he’d married her when they were young, if Mom had liked us enough to stay.
And if I had been enough for her.
I rubbed my chest. Tammy was right. These thoughts were chasing me.
“Where’s my cake?” I heard from the diner. Mollie had arrived, and she wouldn’t be deterred for long.
“I guess we’re starting.”
“Whoa, when did all of these people get here?” Tammy peered out the door.
“Probably when you were yapping,” Ron said, flipping a page of the newspaper.
“Keep it up and I’ll make you come out with the cake and announce that it’s time to cut it.”
