Page 52 of Take This Heart
She couldn’t have heard my conversation with Bruce. There’s no way she’d be talking to me like this if she had. And why the hell have I kept it quiet anyway? It’s not like I can help who I’m related to. But I’m on such tentative ground with her as it is…
“I need to stop while I’m ahead, don’t I?” She laughs. “Anyway. I just wanted to thank you.”
“It was their idea,” I say, shrugging. “I just suggested the easel.”
“That had to be weeks ago…when things weren’t very…when we weren’t—” She wrinkles her nose again.
“Semi-peaceful?” I suggest, grinning.
She fights a smile. “Is that what we are?”
“I thought we were getting there. Until you started avoiding me.”
“What? Don’t be silly,” she says, biting the inside of her cheek.
This woman. She’s relentless. Determined to bring me to my knees.
“I’m never silly, Mildie.”
She snorts and rolls her eyes. “Okay, Golo.”
I grin and we stare at each other until she starts blinking fast.
“Dad’s got a craving, so I’m trying to make sure he gets what he wants. You in for dinner with all of us tonight?”
“I—” Shit.
Why do I feel like I’m betraying her?
Because in a way, you fucking are.
Fuck me.
“I wish I could. I have plans for tonight. Maybe tomorrow?”
She stares at me for a beat and then nods. “No problem.”
When I walk into The Hungry Walleye, a young girl moves into action without making eye contact. She grabs a menu and only looks up when I say, “I’m meeting someone.”
Her mouth drops and she freezes mid-step. I turn around to see what’s wrong, but there’s no one behind me.
“He might already be here.” I look around and see Bruce at the table in the back. “Spotted him.” I point to the backtable and the girl continues to stare at me. “Should I take that back with me?” I ask, pointing at the menu.
Her mouth moves slightly, but no words come out. Finally, she blinks and motions for me to follow her. She must be painfully shy. I suffered that affliction, especially when I was younger, and it’s no fun. Bruce and I say hello to each other and the girl hands me the menu once I’ve sat down, but she doesn’t leave.
“Cat.” Bruce snaps his fingers and she jumps. “Bring my nephew a Wild Brunette.” He shakes his head, chuckling when she gulps and nods. He shoots me a look when she scurries away, and I glare at him.
“That was rude,” I say.
“You’ve got those Granger good looks. You should use it to your advantage— it comes in handy when you need it.”
I sigh, already wishing I hadn’t come. One of the first things that ever put the nick in my uncle Bruce’s armor was the way I saw him treat servers. I was young, but it bothered me so much, that someone I loved could be so demanding and rude to others.
I open the menu and hear a throat clearing. I look up and see an older woman grinning at me. She smacks her gum and puts her hand on her hip, jutting it out to the side.
“What’ll you be havin’?” she asks.
“What’s good?”
