Page 75 of Stained Hearts
“Actually, I’m here to see my mom.”
“Oh, then grab a booth. Make sure she gets a good view.” He turned his attention to Katy. “Take care of his mom. I love her more than my own.”
Lincoln had been out to see her once, and she’d taken a shine to him. Though he’d been invited to several dinners, he’d always declined because he had no one to watch the diner. Still, whenever she came downtown, she would stop in and said hello.
When the door opened, we all looked to see who had entered. Mom strode in, wearing jeans and a brown bomber jacket. She had her hair done up in a bun and somehow managed to pull off the cool, hip older woman on the prowl. She saw me and her eyes lit up. She came over and pulled me into an embrace.
“Thank you for coming.”
She chuckled. “I can count on one hand the number of times you’ve called and said you needed me. I’d come just for curiosity’s sake, if nothing else.”
We took a seat, and Katy came over with menus. “It’s good to see you, Rachel. How’ve you been?”
“Not too bad. How about you? Meg keeping you on the straight and narrow?”
Katy snickered. “Not much straight about it.” With a flourish, she handed out the laminated sheets of paper. “Lincoln’s made some french toast that’s to die for. I heartily recommend it.”
Mom gave her back the menu. “Sold.” She peered at me, then snatched mine from my hand. “Tom will have it as well.”
I guessed I was having french toast. “Can we get some coffee too?”
“Coming right up.” She walked away with a spring in her step. Katy was the heart of the diner, and I couldn’t imagine the place without her.
“So, what’s up, kid?”
The moment was at hand, and I found myself tongue-tied. I wasneverat a loss for words.
Mom reached for my hand. “Let me help you start. It’s about Aiden.”
Yeah, that helped. “You know we’ve been together now for a while. Aiden’s… I don’t even know how to describe him. He makes my heart beat faster when I look at him. He can get me to laugh when nothing else will.” I looked at her, hoping to convey what I was trying to say.
She steepled her fingers and stared at me. “Go on.”
Damn it. I should have known she wouldn’t make this easy on me. “Mom, I….” I took a deep breath. “I love him.”
She clapped her hands together. “Finally!”
I opened my eyes wide. “What do you mean?”
“Oh, Tom. None of us are blind. It’s not like you were hiding it. Your heart was always on your sleeve.” She squeezed my hand. “So what’s the problem?”
Noel stepped through the kitchen door and waved. Mom nodded at him, and he gave her a smile, then disappeared once more.
“I haven’t told him.” That sounded pathetic. “I’ve wanted to, so many times, but I just couldn’t get the words out.”
Even more pathetic.
She folded her hands in front of her. I felt like I was on a psychiatrist’s couch.
“Why does this bother you?”
The only real answer was the truth. “Because he deserves to know.”
“You’re right. He does. So why are you having trouble saying it? Does it have to do with Brian?”
“What? No.” Did it? Now that she brought it up, the house we were living in was filled with his memory. I didn’t feel like I was cheating anymore, but…. “Maybe?”
Noel came back into the dining room and headed for the table. I wasn’t in the mood to talk right now, but he went to Mom and handed her an envelope.
