Page 17 of Missing Pieces

Chapter Eleven

I have been living in White Creek for two weeks. Yes, I just said living. I finally got used to it. The small town vibe was helping clear my head of all the shit that was filling it. I knew a few of the regulars at the diner by name. I also ate dinner with Trace and Ivy a couple times a week. Ivy said it was good for me to interact with other people. I told her I do it every day I work at the diner. She just stared at me and then told me to go seat the table that just walked in.

Luckily in the last two weeks, I had almost zero interactions with Easton. We saw each other a few times, but there was no flirting at all. I was glad he finally got over it. Maybe he thought I would be in and out of town faster than I was and didn’t want to start anything with someone who was sticking around. But none of that mattered because he was the last thing I needed. And not just him but love. At this point, I am sure I’m swearing off it for good.

* * *

Ten minutes before I need to open the door of the diner, my cell rings. I fish it out of a pocket of my purse and see it’s my dad calling. I haven’t talked to my parents in over a week and I am hoping they have some good news for me.

“Hi, Daddy!” I answer.

“Hello, sweetheart. How are you doing? I hope I’m not calling too early.”

I pull out a chair at one of the tables and sit down. “No, you’re fine. It’s about seven and I was just getting ready to open the diner.”

“Oh well then I won’t keep you long if you have to work. You sound happy. Are you happy?”

I sigh into the phone. “I’m getting there, Dad. I’m nowhere near a hundred percent. Hell, I am not even at fifty percent but some days are better than others.”

“Good sweetheart. Improvement is good.”

“How’s your trip going?”

“It’s fantastic. We’re in Paris now. We’re headed home tomorrow. I really would like to sleep in my own bed.” I hear him say something I can only presume is to my mother and then hear the sound of footsteps. “I need a break from your mother,” he whispers into the phone.

I hear her yell something about hearing him over the phone. The sound of a door shutting is heard, the soft murmur of traffic and people is in the background. “I had to step outside so your mother wouldn’t hear. I can’t wait ‘til her calendar is filled with social events so I can tolerate her more.”

I laugh into the phone and glance at the clock. Five more minutes is all I can spare. “So, what’s up Dad?

“I wanted to let you know I’ve talked to your mother a lot about the money and helping you out and she won’t budge. I even tried when she was drunk, and she was relentless. I don’t understand why she is so upset about your marriage.”

“Dad do we really have to talk about this?” I groan.

“No, we don’t. That was why I stepped outside. I just transferred over some money to you.” I squeal on the inside. “It won’t be enough to cover everything, but I hope it will help. I sent over three thousand.”

“Dad that is more than enough. It’s pretty cheap to live around here and I haven’t been attending many social activities.” Okay, none. “And I am working enough to save a good chunk of money.”

“I know you’re working hard honey and I am very proud of you. Not everyone can do what you’re doing.” I hear the door open in the background and hope it’s because my father decided to go back inside. But I hear a rustle like the phone is being grabbed from him.

“Harper, honey, how are you?” My mom has the fakest sounding voice and I know she’s about to lay into me. I look at the clock on the wall and it’s already a few minutes past seven. Trace and Ivy went out of town for the weekend and Ivy entrusted me with running the diner for the next three days.

“I’m great Mom, but I really need to go.”

“Not so fast Harper. Why don’t I get to talk to you? You talked to your father,” she says sharply.

“I know Mom, but it isn’t a good time. I have to open the diner.” Shit. I told my mom I was working, but I didn’t tell her I succumbed to working at a diner. She thought I was doing something intellectual, not service work.

“Diner? What do you mean you have to open the diner?”

I guess that means Dad kept my secret on that front. “A diner. You know one of those quick service food places that people eat at sometimes.”

“Don’t get sarcastic with me Harper. I can’t believe you would stoop so low. I thought maybe you found an office job or something for the time being. You know so you could make real money to fix your car.”

This woman pisses me off. I look at the clock. It is now 7:07 and a few people are standing outside. I look at Luke who is walking out of the kitchen tapping his watch. I point to the phone and he points to the door.

Duh, I see the people, Luke.

“Mom, there are approximately eight hundred forty-two people who live in this town, well eight hundred forty-three if you include me, there aren’t exactly options for office jobs. But seriously, I need to go I have a line of people outside that want breakfast.”