Page 13 of War

She chuckled. “You're not winning the bet.”

“Don't count me out. I have two weeks. I'm winning.”

“You can try. Good luck. You'll need it,” she teased back.

You can try.Did that mean her last name was complicated? “Is that a hint?”

She smiled. “You’ll get no hints from me.”

Chapter 7

When we arrived at the restaurant, I asked Amantha to stay in the truck while I pulled out her chair. Once it was in position, I opened the passenger door. I lifted her from the seat and sat her in the chair.

This time, she wrapped her arms around my neck during the transfer.

Siblings,I had to remind myself.Treat her like a sibling.

I shut the passenger door.

I asked, “Do you want me to help push you inside or do you have it?”

She smiled. “I'm okay. Thank you for asking.”

I nodded and walked alongside her as we made our way to the building. Quite a few cars were already in the parking lot, especially for a Wednesday night. The restaurant was popular, to say the least.

When we got to the front door, there was an automatic door button marked with a blue wheelchair for disabled use. I pressed it. We waited... And nothing happened.

“Must be broken,” Amantha said. “That's okay. Would you mind getting the door?”

“Got it.”

There was a small entryway to keep the wind from blowing inside so there were two doors.

I stepped forward and pulled the first door open. I held it open while Amantha wheeled through.

There was another button inside, which she tried. This one opened the second door.

Amantha wheeled through.

I followed her into the building. A counter with a wall behind it stood at the entrance, blocking the view inside. Patrons were supposed to wait to be seated. No one waited ahead of us.

A small Asian male server smiled as we approached. “How many?” he asked.

“Two,” I answered.

He grabbed two bundles of utensils. “Please follow me.”

He walked around the counter and led us to the left.

Tables and booths lined the sides as we went through. People ate and talked at several places. At the end, the aisle turned right and led into a buffet.

The server put the utensils down and removed a chair at one of the tables. He placed it at an unused table.

“What would you like to drink?” he asked.

Amantha wheeled into the open spot to clear a walkway in the aisle. “Thank you. Sweet tea, please,” she said with a smile.

He nodded. “And you, sir?”