Page 69 of The Sky in Summer
Barbra follows me as I snake through the tables at Eggcellent, the popular breakfast diner tucked in a nondescript strip mall.
“Layla, Barbra!”
Scarlett’s voice rises above the diners crowding every table. She waves us forward. Welcoming smiles are on the two faces. I didn’t expect Dove to be here. Van says she goes out incognito sometimes, but this place doesn’t seem like the best choice to test how good a disguise she has put together. Too many people, too close.
“Morning!” I say, reaching one empty chair.
“Hi!” Barbra adds, taking the other.
“Can you believe this place? It’s packed!”
Aurora always has a relaxed vibe, kind of like nothing can bother her. There is a calmness about the woman. She is genuinely happy. No mystery. She is with the love of her life and her children are still around her healthy and thriving.
“Barbra, I’m glad you could come. Layla said you had an appointment.”
“I changed it. Got it done earlier. I didn’t want to miss girls’ breakfast.”
The waitress approaches and breaks into the conversation. She hands out the menus.
“We are out of Eggs Benedict, and we just ran out of Canadian bacon. Otherwise, we’re good. I’ll give you a few minutes.”
And she’s gone before any of us can respond.
“Damn. I was going to get the Benedict,” Scarlett says with a scowl.
Aurora ignores her daughter and turns toward me.
“So how are you feeling about Van moving to Paris?”
Scarlett hides behind her menu and Barbra stops reading hers.
Shit. No easing up to the subject. I answer her as truthfully as I can without saying too much.
“I feel sad for me. Happy for him. That’s how I feel.”
She doesn’t know exactly how to take my answer. Either it makes me blasé about the whole thing or insulted by the fact he is going. It is definitelynotthe first one. She tilts her head and meets my gaze.
“I know you will understand this. You are a mother after all, and we are prone to sticking our noses in our children’s business.”
“My boys remind me of that on a continual basis.” I return the smile.
“I hate to tell you, but it doesn’t change when they grow up. Gaston tells me I butt in too much, but I can’t help it when I see my children ignoring their own feelings. I always think that’s a mistake. We end up being unhappy when we don’t listen to our heart.”
Now I am confused, and it shows up on my face.
“This whole “just friends” thing he is trying to sell doesn’t match what I see.”
“I think so too!” Barbra jumps in.
It makes Aurora a little excited because she grabs Barbra’s hand and squeezes it in solidarity.
I don’t know what to say.
“Me as well, Layla. I think it’s much deeper than that,” Scarlett adds.
Now it is unanimous.
“But it’s a moot point if friendship is your aim. If so, I will butt out right now and we won’t speak of it again. By the way, if Van knew what I was saying to you, he would hate it, and there would be a blowout. But I don’t care. I’m willing to take the chance. For the sake of his happiness.”
