Page 17 of Goodbye Paradise
The other man’s eyebrows lifted, so Caleb tried to explain. “We grew up not too far from here, in a religious type of place.”
“A cult,” the man said.
I didn’t know that word, but Caleb nodded.
“Polygamist?” he asked with a sour look on his face.
“Yeah,” Caleb confirmed.
“Peachy,” the man snorted. “The name’s Washington.” He held out a hand.
“Nice to meet you, Washington,” Caleb said, shaking, “I’m Caleb and my brother is Josh.”
“Your brother?” Washington asked, shaking my hand. “You two don’t look alike.”
“We get that a lot,” Caleb said.
“Well, Caleb and Josh. I’m going to Albany. That’s real close to Massachusetts. But before we get started, we’re going to eat dinner.”
* * *
Ihad never beeninside a restaurant.
The place was oddly bright, but it smelled wonderful. I hadn’t eaten a real meal in forty-eight hours. Miriam’s cornbread was great, but we’d finished it eight hours ago.
A woman led us over to a table which had two bench seats facing inward. It was like sitting in a small room within a bigger room. I liked it immediately. Even better, she slid a glossy card onto the table in front of me, which listed everything under the sun. There was a whole section just for soups, and one beneath that for sandwiches. On the second page, there were “dinners.” Just reading the card, I thought I’d expire from hunger. I wanted one of everything.
Then I noticed the prices, and scaled back my expectations. The steak was $19.99. Wow. And why didn’t they just write $20? It wasn’t like I was fooled.
When the waitress came back, Washington ordered a hamburger with French fries. Then she turned to me.
“A cup of chicken noodle soup,” I said. Because it was only $1.99. And the menu promised crackers.
Caleb eyed me over the top of his menu. “Really?”
I nodded.
“Fine. I’ll have two hamburgers with fries. And two Cokes.”
The waitress took our menus and went away. “Two?” I had to ask.
Caleb rolled his eyes. “One is for you, genius. You haven’t eaten in two days, and I didn’t feel like arguing with you.”
Oh. “I was trying to save money.”
“I get that. But if you pass out, I have to carry your ass. Which I’ve done recently. And you’re heavier than you look.”
Wellthatwas mortifying.
Washington didn’t say anything, but his eyes laughed. He was sitting by himself on the opposite side of our table. I studied him, because it was either that or pinch Caleb, who had embarrassed me. (Pinching was our favorite form of silent retribution. Unlike a slap, a pinch could be accomplished without gaining unwanted attention from teachers, pastors, etc.)
Our new friend was interesting looking. There weren’t any black men at Paradise. I’d met a few people with brown skin when we were little and went to school. But none of the elders ever had anything nice to say about black people. (Or aboutme, come to think of it.) This man had a trustworthy face, and kind eyes. I couldn’t pin down his age, though. His skin was unwrinkled, but there was gray in his hair.
“What?” he asked me after a minute. “Do I have spinach in my teeth?”
“Sorry,” I said. “I was just trying to figure out how old you are.”
He grinned. “Fifty-seven. Got no children of my own, but I have nephews about your age.” He paused while the waitress put two glasses and a cup of coffee on the table. “They’re in college now,” he said when she left.
