Page 94 of Memories By the Shore
Easton: Avery is having dinner next door with Helen.
As if best friend telepathy, he knew I’d be wondering where she was at.
Me: At Marv’s?
Easton: Yeah. Shouldn’t she still be holed up with you instead of eating pasta?
I roll my eyes.
Me: She hasn’t seen Helen in years. They’re just catching dinner together.
Easton: You two are done with your little weekend trip down memory lane?
Me: First of all, the weekend isn’t over, my friend. Second of all, I’m headed to meet them now.
A lie.But his words get to me. This weekend can’t end yet. I need more time with her. I don’t know if that makes a difference, but right now, I’m obsessed with soaking up as much time with her as possible. Once she gets hit with a reminder of reality, my fantasy is over. She’ll still be in need of a divorce and back to another man. Fuck, that makes me ill.
Easton: Okay. If you say so. Don’t forget, we’re meeting Bodhi and Riley for a beer later.
Me: I forgot that rich fucker is back in town.
Easton: YEP. See you later.
I slip my phone back into my pocket, swipe my keys off the counter, and head out the door. My stomach is in knots the entire ride over to the restaurant. Not because I’m showing up but because I fear my time with her is running out.
I pull into the back parking lot at Marv’s Italian restaurant ashort time later.
“Hey, Jasper.” One of the cooks greets me with a cigarette dangling off his bottom lip.
“What’s up, man?” I return, extending an arm to open the black wrought-iron door into the kitchen.
“Do you want me to have them pack up your usual to-go order?” he asks.
“That’d be great. Thanks,” I toss over my shoulder as the heavy metal slams behind me.
The kitchen is busy with people in black-and-white uniforms scurrying around. Classic rock plays in the background, lightly overshadowed by the line cooks calling out orders. As I walk toward the front of the restaurant, I get a few hellos from the staff.
“Jasper!” Standing at least a foot shorter than me, Marv comes barreling out of the office. “I didn’t know you were coming! Did you already call in your order? I didn’t see it yet. Annette!”
“No, I didn’t call in an order,” I interrupt his frantic spiral. “No one forgot anything, don’t worry.”
Marv nods his head vigorously. “Okay, okay. That’s good.”
“Busy tonight?” I comment, scanning the room for Avery and Helen.
“Yes.” He smiles, calmer now. “Can I get you anything?”
“No, I’m good, Marv.” I pat his shoulder. “I’m here looking for a few friends.”
“Lady friends?” His mouth curls into a high smile.
“Sort of.” I laugh, glancing behind me to sweep the dining room again. “It’s Helen and her niece Avery.”
“Oh yes. They have the table in the corner.” He points to the opposite end of the restaurant. “I’ll take you over.”
“No, I don’t want to interrupt them. I just wanted to see if they were here,” I tell him.
Hearing those words reminds me I had no plan for after I got here.What was I going to say once I saw them?I would never want to intrude on Avery’s dinner with her aunt—they haven’t seen each other in years.
