Page 106 of Someone to Remember
As I imagine what his days must be like juggling so many competing demands, my heart goes out to him. “It’s got to be a lot.”
“It is, but the kids are always so happy to see me at the end of the day. They make it all worth it.”
I want to ask who takes care of him while he’s taking care of countless patients and four motherless children, but I’ve been told to shut up, so I hold that thought. For now, anyway.
A waitress comes by with glasses of ice water and menus. “Can I get you anything else to drink?”
“I’ll have unsweetened tea, please.”
“Same,” he says. “Thank you.”
She smiles at him, because she’s only human. He doesn’t notice. “Coming right up.”
“What looks good to you?” he asks as he peruses the menu.
“Probably a salad.”
“I’m getting a Reuben with french fries that you’ll help me eat.”
“If I must,” I say with a laugh.
“You must.” He takes a sip of water. “So tell me more about Kinsley. We’ve talked about the bad stuff, so tell me something good.”
“Hmmm, well, I work part time while my kids are in school, doing marketing for two local nonprofits.”
“Have you been in that field a long time?”
“Since I graduated from college.”
“Where’d you go?”
“The University of Vermont.”
“Oh, I love it up there. Burlington is such a great city.”
“One of my favorite places ever, except for in the winter.”
“So cold it hurts to breathe.”
“Yes, exactly. What took you up there?”
“My in-laws have a place on Lake Champlain,” he says. “My father-in-law is originally from Vermont.”
“Ah, I see. Do you spend much time there?”
“Only in the summer. I can’t do winter in Vermont with four little kids on my own. Too much equipment required.”
“That’s true. It’s a lot to travel alone with kids. I can barely handle my two, let alone four.”
“I’m sure you’re a pro by now.”
“It gets easier as they get older.”
“That’s a fact. Tell me more about your kids.”
We’re interrupted when the waitress comes to take our order. “Coming right up,” she says with another smile for Luke. Honestly… To his credit, he has no reaction to the pretty young woman.
“You were going to tell me about your kids. I know I met them at Iris’s, but there was a gaggle that night.”
