Page 42 of Tangled Emotions

“On it!”

“I love the old diner lingo.” I took a drink of my coffee and smiled at Edie.

“That’s all Big E. Since he was a kid, he knew he wanted to be in a kitchen and with the diner? He’s home.”

“You seem at home, too.”

“I am. I used to think I wanted to do something else.” She looked around. “But I can’t see being anywhere but here.”

“I’ve been a lot of places.” I took a drink of my coffee. “Never been anywhere where it all feels homey.”

“It can be.” She took a drink. “Where you from?”

“Wisconsin. Born and raised. Joined the Marines right from high school.”

“Are you on leave?”

“Nope, got my walkin’ papers after I did twenty in.”

She looked up at me, her hazel eyes filled with nerves. “Wow. A lifer.”

“The Corp was good to me. I learned a lot.” I gave her an easy shrug.

“That where you learned to be patient?”

I chuckled. “Nah, my dad taught me that. He was a good man. Patient, caring, teaching.”

Her voice softened. “How long has he been gone?”

Scratching my beard, I count back. “Been about six years.”

“Both?”

Nodding, I held on to my mug. “Drunk driver after Christmas midnight mass.”

“Damn, Frank. That … sucks.”

“Yep.” I nodded. “I don’t mind alcohol; I just don’t drive impaired. Never have. I will be a DD for those who need it.”

The door rang and Miss Cora came in with a couple of other ladies and they took a seat a few booths away. Evelyn swung by, dropping off the nachos, a side of sour cream and some plates.

“It’ll be out soon.” She smiled and went to take care of the ladies.

We dug in and ate in comfortable silence. Evie was a hell of a server. She kept our drinks full and brought out water and extra napkins.

“She’s damn good.” I nodded towards the younger sister.

Edie sighed. “Don’t say that too loud. She’ll get a big head and we’ll have to grease her up to get her out of here.”

I laughed and watched as she picked up a chip, making sure to have a bit of everything on it.

“So what brought you here?” She wiped her mouth.

“Romeo said it would be a good landing place to start.” I shrugged. “He wasn’t wrong.”

The new kid came out from the back with a coffee pot of water and walked over to one of the plants in the diner, watering it. Then he moved to the next plant and watered it.

Edith pressed her lips together tight.