Page 19 of As They Are
I glanced down at the menu. “Probably an omelet with some toast.”
“Protein heavy,” Tammy said. “Is that how you got so tall?”
“That was all genetics, I’m afraid. My dad was six foot five.”
“Was?” Kerry asked.“Ow!”
“‘Was’hints at something you don’t ask a near stranger about,” Tammy hissed.
“Did you justkickme?”
“It got your attention, didn’t it? Should’ve done that a lot sooner.”
“It’s fine,” I said. “My dad passed a few years ago because of a heart attack. I miss him, but I can talk about it.”
“I’m so sorry, though,” Kerry said. “If it makes you feel any better, we’re all like a family here.”
“One big, gross, dysfunctional family,” Tammy added, looking at Hugh.
“Don’t make me think about Hugh while I’m also thinking of food. I’ll never be able to look at him the same way after what he posted in the Facebook group.”
“I’d show you, but you’d leave and never come back,” Tammy said to me. “Now, what’s gonna be your usual? First meal is on the house.”
“Are you sure about that?” I asked.
“You didn’t do that for me,” Kerry protested with a frown.
“You were a kid when you first came here. And I was a teenager.”
Kerry sniffed. “You could have pulled some strings.”
“Well, you weren’t as cute as she is. I mean, look at her! She and Mollie could break hearts!”
“Ooh, I bet they did.”
Both women giggled.
I looked down at my outfit. My long hair was braided and I wore overalls. Most of the time, when people looked at me, they told me I could be cuter if I dressed up.
Madison had. I was sure she was going to angle to give me some glow-up in season two.
A warmth spread through me, making me feel a little more like myself.
“Thanks,” I said quietly. “I needed to hear that.”
“Any time, kid.” Tammy patted my shoulder and stood. “Now, tell me what you’re drinking and what to put on that omelet, and then I’ll come back and chat some more.”
I told her my toppings and drink just before a loud voice interrupted us.
“Tammy!” Hugh called. “I need a refill.”
Her smile fell in the blink of an eye.
She turned to Hugh. “That’s the fourth one! I’m cutting you off!”
“Don’t make me leave a goggle review!”
“Once again, it’s called Google!” Tammy yelled over her shoulder before disappearing into the kitchen.
