Page 77 of Gumdrops and Garland

“What were you heartbroken about, Lance? Indie?”

I shook my head and took a breath, forcing my brain to stay on the right path this time. “That you weren’t happy with my work and didn’t want me cooking any longer. Instead, you wanted me to do a job that I knew I couldn’t do and that would expose my secrets to the whole town. It just broke my heart that you would do that to me after all these years.”

“No, Lance, that wasn’t the case at all! I offered you the promotion thinking I was being helpful in terms of your career. That’s what we do here at The Nightingale Diner. We promote from within because everyone here is family, right?”

“Yes, it’s just that some of us have secrets that we don’t want the rest of the world to know.”

“I would say we all have secrets we don’t want the world to know, but I understand yours better now. Not that it needs to be a secret. Not at all. In fact, I think you could help a lot of people by talking about what happened in the accident and how having a TBI all these years has made you who you are.” She waved her hand. “I digress. It was Indie who explained your TBI to me and that’s when I knew I really messed up.”

“It’s okay, Ivy. I really messed up too. I told Indie we don’t belong together when just the opposite is true.”

“I think you need to talk to her.”

I pushed the pie away from me. “I know. I’m just … I don’t know. Insecure?”

“Is that a question? Do you feel insecure around Indie?”

“No, it’s more like I’m insecure about what I can offer her.” The admittance was hard, but the diner was a safe place to say it without worrying about what Ivy would say or think.

“Love, happiness, joy, comfort,” she said but I shook my head.

“I mean as far as being the breadwinner. I know what my limitations are, Ivy. Everyone says the only limitations you have are the ones you put on yourself, but that’s kind of garbage, don’t you think?”

“I’m not sure I follow, Lance,” she said slowly.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is, no inspirational quote or well-intended person can fix my brain. It’s what it is now and science has proven when pathways in the brain die, they don’t grow back. Yes, tools help,” I said, picking up the glasses, “but I can never change the outcome of the accident.”

“You’re saying that means your earning potential is capped?” I just nodded as an answer. “I don’t think Indie cares about how much money you make, Lance. You make a good living here at the diner, and you’d be able to leave here and go work in any kitchen anywhere and be successful. You just have to be honest about your TBI and what accommodations you need. However, that doesn’t matter because you aren’t leaving the diner. Got it?”

I nodded sheepishly. “I don’t want to leave the diner, Ivy. I just want to keep doing what I do in the kitchen. Not because I’m lazy or scared, but because I think I’m good at cooking and that’s where my heart is. Every day when I walk in the door to work, I’m excited to be here. I’m excited to cook for my friends in the town. I’m excited to work with Brittany and watch her be excited about her successes as she learns new things. I don’t work here because I have to. I work here because I want to.”

“Heard and understood,” she said with a nod. She pointed at the glasses. “Those are yours. Wear them outside of work too. They’re under warranty, so don’t be afraid to wear them and make your life a little bit easier.”

I picked up the box and held them to my chest. “Indie was so excited to find out about the glasses and then I ruined everything.”

“She understood how upset you were and why, Lance. She understands you more than you give her credit for when it comes to your injury. Do you even notice how intuitive she is when it comes to how the two of you interact?”

I shrugged. “It feels natural to me. That’s the only way I can explain it.”

Her nod was pointed. “Yes, it feels natural. There’s an incredible rhythm between the two of you that everyone can see. People always said that about Shep and me too. When two soulmates are together, you automatically know how to take care of each other. Indie does that for you and you don’t notice because it feels natural. Do you understand.”

I put the glasses in the inside pocket of my coat and stood, kissing her cheek on my way past her in the booth. “I understand now,” I promised, squeezing her hand. “Thank you for talking it through with me. Sometimes, that’s what I need to help put my brain on the right track again.”

“What about your heart? Is that on the right track again?”

“My heart is always with Indie. It has been since the fifth grade. I’m going to go find her and tell her that before it’s too late.”

“Good idea,” Ivy said with a smile. “She’s still at the bakery. I told her I’d text once we were done talking.”

“No need. I’ll be there before you can type out the message. Thanks, Ivy. For everything.”

“No, thank you, Lance. For your forgiving heart and for teaching me more about friendship than anyone has before. You’re coming to work tomorrow morning?”

“As long as you’ll still have me.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. You know that.”

“Then I’ll be here. Though, I might be a little bit late if Indie accepts my apology too.” I winked, waved, and then hit the door running. I had some making up to do and I couldn’t let another minute go by without telling Gumdrop that we belong together. I’d drop to my knee if I had to. First, to beg for her forgiveness and then to beg her to marry me.

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