“Got it.” I grin.
“Don’t worry, S. They’ll warm up to you eventually. Once they see you aren’t like the others,” Victoria interjects.
“I don’t need them to warm up to me. I only want them to leave me alone.”
“I’ll talk to them,” Tinsley says.
“That will only make it worse. I can handle it.”
They both nod but seem unsure.
“I’ll meet up with you later,” I tell them with a smile. “I think I’m going to go to the library.”
As they say their goodbyes, I watch them walk away.
Will I ever belong in this world?
And why do I care?
∞∞∞
“Hey, Elijah! You want your usual?”
“Hello, sweetheart. I would, but surprise me with pie today.” He winks at me, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Can do!”
I grab a slice of pie along with a water and coffee for him.
“How have you been?” I ask as I set everything on his table, then lean against the other booth during a lull in customers.
“Oh, aside from having to go out of town for a few days, it’s been okay. I met up with my sons last night for dinner along with their families. That was nice.”
“You have kids?”
He smiles. “I do. I have two sons and a daughter.”
“Is she a daddy’s girl?” I tease.
His face falls for a moment, and he starts to tap the table with his index finger.
“She was never given the chance, unfortunately. I never got to be a part of her life,” he tells me with a sad smile and tears in his eyes.
I reach out and grab his hand. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right, dear. It is what it is. I can only hope someday she’ll accept me into her life and understand it was all out of her mother’s and my control.” He pats the back of my hand.
I hear someone yell my name from the back and can’t help but sigh.
“Ugh, back to work. Let me know if you need anything else,” I tell him, offering him one last hand squeeze.
“Will do. Don’t work too hard, sweetheart,” he replies earnestly.
Long after Elijah leaves, his words stick with me. He was never able to raise his daughter for reasons unknown to me, but it makes me wonder, is that why I never knew about my father? Was there some sort of outside force that kept him and my mom apart?
All the questions surrounding my parents are starting to bubble over. A talk with Aunt Alice is coming soon.
Chapter Ten
“How was work today, Sage?” Richard asks over dinner.
“Good. One of my regulars came in, which is always a good time.”
“You have regulars?” V teases.
“Shut up.” I laugh and kick her chair. “It’s not like that. He’s a sweet old man. Gives me total grandpa vibes, and he tips well. I think he’s lonely.”
“Well, that’s nice that he talks to you, sweetheart. What’s his name?” Alice asks.
“His name is Elijah. It’s going to be weird. He usually comes in every shift, but he told me today that he has to go out of town for a week for business,” I tell her with a shrug.
“Did you say Elijah?” Richard asks me while looking at Alice.
“Yeah, why?” I ask.
They seem to be having a silent conversation until V interrupts. “You two okay?”
“Yes, of course. Sorry. Anyways, anything new with you, Victoria?” Alice asks, abruptly changing the subject.
∞∞∞
I look up and see Tinsley rushing towards the table with crazy eyes.
“Heads up,” I murmur to V right before Tins sets her bag down on the table.
“Hello, ladies,” she singsongs.
“Hey,” V and I respond.
“What has you in such a good mood?” V teases.
“I convinced the boys to let me go on a date,” she gushes.
“With who?” V leans forward, completely interested.
“Do you remember that guy I met at the back-to-school bash?”
“The public school kid?” V asks.
“Yes. I gave him my number, and we’ve talked a little. He asked me out, and I convinced the guys to let me go.”
“That’s awesome! Good for you,” I tell her honestly.
“There’s one small problem,” she says hesitantly.
“What’s that?” V and I ask in unison.
“I don’t know what to wear. I’ve never gone on a date before.”
V looks at me with a raised brow, and I can’t help but sigh. “When is your date?”
“Friday,” she says while chewing on her lip.
“How about I come over and help you get ready?” I offer.
“Would you?” Tinsley asks with hope in her eyes.
“Of course.” I give her a soft smile.
“I would love that. Come over Friday after school?”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“I can’t wait!” Tinsley kisses each of Victoria’s cheeks before turning to me. She pauses but then leans in and kisses both of my cheeks as well. I’m caught off guard by her actions and turn to watch her walk away.
“She likes you,” Victoria says. “She doesn’t do that with just anyone.”
Tinsley sits down at a table with four males, two of whom I’m very familiar with.
“She doesn’t really know me. How could she like me?” I look back to Victoria.
She shrugs. “She’s particular about the girls she hangs with. Usually she’s only with the guys. Keaton and Reed try to keep the pettiness of the other girls away from her. Finley and Sterling back them up. They have their own little twisted family going on.”
“She seems to like you, V.”
She chuckles. “Tinsley is a sweet girl. We grew up in the same circles. She’s younger, which means girls would use her to try and get close to the boys. After a couple of rounds of that, the boys put an end to it. They don’t mind our relationship because I know the score.”
“So, you’re pretty much her only friend?”
“I guess so. I don’t think of it that way though. I would rather have four quarters than one hundred pennies, you know.”
I’m surprised by her answer, not having expected Victoria to have any depth; I figured she would be a rich bitch who only cared about her image. I’m starting to realize I might’ve been wrong about her.
Chapter Eleven
I don’t know how I allowed myself to be talked into it, but here I am on a Friday afternoon helping Tinsley pick out an outfit for her first date.
“What about this one?” She pulls out a pink lacey dress that looks as if it belongs in a Disney movie.
“What look are you going for?”
She shrugs and looks bashful. “This is my first date. I’m surprised they even agreed to it. Now I’m nervous. I want to look sexy and desirable but not slutty or trashy.” She gives me a hopeless look. “Maybe I should cancel.”
“Absolutely not. You’re going on this date. Where are you going?” I ask, going into mom mode.