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ALEX WOKE HER SISTER and explained that she wanted some “sister time” and that instead of taking the school bus later, they’d take the city bus so they could stop off at Stavro’s and have breakfast. In reality, the last thing she wanted to do was see Stavro’s again. She felt as if she’d just left there and spent entirely too much time there. But Carly had loved the idea so after she’d brushed her teeth and hair and dressed, they slipped out the front door. All without seeing Kevin, thankfully.
“This is so exciting,” Carly said as they rode the bus all the way to the stop just a few blocks from the diner.
Alex winked at her sister and smiled.
The roads had been cleared and sidewalks that had been pristine last night were now stained black, brown and gray.
When the bus stopped, they stepped off and hurried to Lou’s. Inside the restaurant, they were greeted by the warm smell of breakfast foods. Maple syrup, bacon, pancakes, coffee and toast—the scents mingled to form a single, mouth-watering aroma.
“I’m starving,” Carly turned to her and said.
“Me, too.” Alex’s stomach growled. She couldn’t remember when she’d eaten last. “I think I’ll order the whole left side of the breakfast menu.”
“And if anyone knows the left side of the breakfast menu, it’s this girl.” Darla, a heavyset, older woman with the kind eyes and caramel skin that looked like it would feel like satin despite her age, pointed to Alex.
“Darla!” Carly squealed.
“Look how tall and beautiful you are.” Darla grabbed both of Carly’s hands, holding her at arm’s length to admire her before bringing her in for a big hug. “My goodness it’s like yesterday you were just in kindergarten and you sister had just started here!”
Alex smiled and nodded.
“What grade are you in now? Fifth? Sixth?” Darla pulled Carly back to look at her again, studying her features as if she were divining the answers. “I’m going to say fifth. But you’re the oldest in your class.”
“That’s right! How’d you know?” Carly’s entire face lit up. “I’m a December baby, so I’m one of the oldest.”
“Yup,” Alex agreed. “December twentieth. I got a sister for Christmas.” She shrugged. “Best Christmas gift ever.”
Carly smiled broadly.
“I’m going to put you in my section, okay, pretty girl?” Darla cupped a hand around Carly’s cheek. “Get you fed and off to school, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you.”
Pinching Carly’s cheek, Darla said, “Oh you’re just as sweet as honey!” Then to Alex she said, “You need to start bringing her around more. But only when I’m working!” she laughed. It was a rich, deep sound.
Once Alex and Carly were seated and given menus, Darla disappeared.
“That Darla is so so nice!” Carly exclaimed as she perused the breakfast selection.
“I know. She’s a doll,” Alex agreed.
“Imagine how lucky her kids are.” Carly’s face was hidden by the menu. “How loved they feel.”
Alex paused, sensing there was more to what her sister was saying than what was on the surface, “Yeah, they’re lucky for sure. I’m sure she’s very loving.”
“Yeah, not like our mom.” The words, spoken so softly they were barely perceptible, trailed off.
Alex took a deep breath against the sharp pang that struck her chest at her sister’s words. “Mom loves you.” Even as the words left her lips, she knew they would be a hard sell. Their mother seldom showed love. And when she did, it was either difficult to recognize or too little too late.
Carly looked over the menu at Alex. “Even you don’t believe that.”
“No, no. I do. I believe she loves you. She’s just not the typical mom. She shows it in ways that may be harder to see.” Alex grasped to find the positive in their mother’s parenting style. Or lack thereof.
Dropping her gaze to the table, Carly fiddled with the frayed edge of a seam on the menu. “She was drunk again last night. She came home really late and was loud. And she wasn’t alone.”
Alex placed her elbows on the table and took her head in her hands. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m so very sorry.” She didn’t know why she was so shocked. Their mother didn’t hide her behavior from either of them. She didn’t shield Carly from it and she certainly hadn’t shielded Alex from it when she was Carly’s age. Still it bothered her that Carly saw it. She wanted her to know that wasn’t an example to follow.
“It’s not your fault.” Carly bobbed one shoulder.
“I told her a long time ago to stop her crap, that it’s dangerous. I’ve been saying it for years,” Alex mumbled to herself. “What she does and how she acts isn’t how you should be.” She fumbled for the right words.
“I know. I don’t want to be like her. I want to be like you,” Carly surprised her further by saying. “Mom is a mess. But you...you go to school all day then work all evening. I’ve never seen you drunk or with a guy at the house. You’re responsible.”
Blinking back tears, Alex’s voice caught in her throat. “Thank you.” She swallowed hard then smiled. “Be better than me, deal?”
Carly looked at her skeptically. “I don’t think that’s possible but deal.”
They shook on it just as Darla returned. They each ordered French toast, bacon and strawberries, washing it down with orange juice.
As they were finishing up, a boy from Alex’s behavioral science class came in. He stopped at the podium, asking Darla a question. She replied and pointed toward their table.
“Hey Alex, who’s your friend?” he asked.
“Hey Brandon. This is my sister, Carly,” she replied, still perplexed by his sudden appearance at the diner when he should be in class.
“Hi Carly, nice to meet you.” Brandon flashed a smile that made Carly blush.
“Hi,” she said shyly.
“What’s up? How was the test?” Alex asked.
“Test?” he looked genuinely confused.
“Yeah, the one I’ll have to make up or fail depending on what kind of mood Professor Soudant is in,” she jogged his memory playfully.
Narrowing his chocolate-colored eyes at her, he said, “Alex, all classes were cancelled this morning because of the weather.” He looked between Alex and her sister. “I stopped by because I remember you telling me you worked here and thought you might have picked up an extra shift.”
Covering her mouth with her hand, Alex said, “Oh my gosh. I’m such an idiot.” She lowered it and shook her head. “I was so tired from working last night and studying and doing a packet for anatomy and physiology that I didn’t even think to check if there were any delays or cancellations.”
Brandon smiled and raked a hand through his spiky light-brown hair. “I guess it’s a good thing I came in here stalking you then, huh?” He laughed.
“Yeah, I guess so,” she mouthed the word “wow”, marveling at how she could overlook something so obvious. “Hey you don’t happen to know if the public schools are open, do you.”
“Two-hour delay. You’re good.” He clipped his chin toward Carly then added conspiratorially, “Plenty of time to hit your sister up for after-breakfast dessert.
Carly arched an eyebrow at Alex. “Excellent suggestion, Brandon. I’ll go wash the syrup off my hands and scope out the desserts on my way back.”
“Good idea.” He winked.
Carly slid out of the booth and practically skipped down the aisle toward the restrooms.
“Thanks a lot,” Alex chided. “After-breakfast desert? What is she, a Hobbit?”
Brandon laughed. “No. She’s a kid. Let her have fun.”
Alex shook her head at him.
Brandon took Carly’s seat opposite Alex. “So, some friends are getting together this weekend and I really don’t want to see them, so I was wondering if you’d like to go out.”
Alex laughed. It was certainly an original way to ask a girl out. “Oh, so you have nothing better to do? The only other option is some friends you don’t want to see and you’re thinking ‘what the hell, I’ll see what Alex is up to?’” she teased. “How romantic.”
Shrugging. “What can I say? I’m all about being smooth and romantic.” He chuckled then slapped a hand to his forehead, “Wow that came out all wrong,” he mumbled.
“Clearly,” she joked.
Alex had met Brandon during her first semester in college. They’d been in an English class together. Studying to be an EMT, he had a witty, sarcastic sense of humor and was a dedicated student. He was also a volunteer firefighter and worked to pay for school. She’d found him attractive when she’d first met him and enjoyed his company in behavioral science.
“I wanted to ask you out when we first met in Professor McGinnis’s class. Took me this long to work up the nerve. That was the best I could do.” He splayed his hands in mock dejection.
“Fine,” she said.
“Fine what?” Brandon leaned in and asked.
“Fine, I’ll go out with you.”
Brandon crinkled his nose. “You don’t really sound enthused.” He grinned impishly.
“Oh Brandon. Yes! Yes, I will go out with you this weekend,” Alex said as theatrically as she could.
“Now that’s more like it.” Brandon clapped his hands together. “I like that enthusiasm.”
Carly, who’d just appeared beside Brandon, said, “You two are going on a date?”
“Uh,” Brandon fumbled, unsure of whether or not it was okay to say yes. He looked at Alex.
“Yep. I’m going to hang out with Brandon this weekend,” Alex said nonchalantly.
“Cool,” Carly said. Then, no longer concerned with Alex’s weekend plans, she asked, “How’s the apple pie here?”
Brandon chuckled. “Guess I was worried for no reason,” he whispered to Alex. He stood and said to Carly, “You can have your seat back. I was just keeping it warm.”
“Thanks.” She gave him a thumbs up.
“Okay then, I’ll let you guys pick out what after-breakfast desert you’re having.” He pulled his phone from his front pocket and said, “What’s your number?”
Alex rattled off her cellphone number to him. “Call or text me later.”
Brandon smiled. To Carly, he said, “It was nice meeting you. Have a good day at school.”
“Nice to meet you, too,” Carly replied. “And apple pie a la mode after a big, delicious breakfast means my day is great no matter what happens at school.”
Her comment drew a wide grin from Brandon. “I like her. She’s a girl after my own heart.”
“I like her, too,” Alex agreed. “Talk later.”
“I can’t wait,” Brandon said before he left their table and walked out of Stavro’s diner.
Darla returned to check on Alex and Carly. Her gaze trailed after Brandon. “He’s a cutie pie. Who is he?”
“Brandon. I go to school with him,” Alex answered offhandedly.
“And she’s going on a date with him this weekend,” Carly added.
Darla’s head whipped from Alex to Carly then back to her. “Oh really.” A lovely smile rounded her cheeks. “I’m so happy for you, honey. I hope he’s as nice on the inside as he is on the outside.” She laughed.
“He seems nice enough in class,” Alex thought aloud.
“They all do. See what he’s like after a drink or two, then you’ll know.” Darla looked stern as she nodded. “I want to see you happy, but be careful. Sixty four years on this planet has shown me a lot. Taught me to be wary of everyone.” She slid Alex a knowing glance.
Alex understood, perhaps even more so than Darla. Living with her mother had wizened her. It had opened her eyes and dispelled any fairytale hopes she’d had or happy endings delusions. Each of her mother’s knights in shining armor had been idiots in tin foil. She certainly didn’t regard Brandon—or any other man—with wide-eyed, romantic optimism. She hoped for good conversation, things in common and a few laughs. If those factors weren’t present she’d politely excuse herself from the date. If things went really poorly, she carried pepper spray.
“So, are you two ready for the check or can I get you something else?” Darla asked.
“I’d like apple pie a la mode, please,” Carly asked.
Darla’s eyes widened. “You would?” She looked at Alex next.
Alex nodded. “Yes, she would.”
“Good choice. I’ll be back with your apple pie a la mode.” Darla walked away, leaving Carly and Alex alone.
“Brandon’s cute.” Carly looked out the window, her eyes distant and unfocused. She looked at Alex, turning suddenly and drilling her with an intense gaze. “Don’t let him drink, like Darla suggested. And you don’t drink either. At all.” She was wringing her hands worriedly.
“I won’t. I promise.” Alex wasn’t a big fan of alcohol. The taste wasn’t good and the sensation of not being in control of herself was unsettling. She’d said she’d pass on it and she meant it.
“Good.” Carly’s features relaxed and before long, her dessert arrived.
Alex watched as her sister scooped forkful after forkful into her mouth and delighted in each bite. Once it was finished, Alex paid the bill and they rode the bus to Carly’s school. She walked her sister to the front door, hugging her and kissing the top of her head before she went inside. With Carly in school and her morning classes canceled, Alex found herself with something she rarely had: free time. She couldn’t go home. Her mother and Kevin would be there. Who knew what she might walk into? She didn’t want to go to work, either. Her shift didn’t start until four. She settled, instead, on the public library. There, she could study and review for the quiz she’d thought she missed this morning.
Waiting for the bus once again, the morning replayed in Alex’s mind. Her mother’s behavior and refusal to accept its potential impact on Carly, along with what Carly had said, swirled and eddied about in her mind. Then Brandon showing up and asking her out. She wasn’t sure how to feel about all of it. Feeling her heart rate ratchet up and heat creeping up from her collar, she breathed deeply to keep the rise of panic at bay. She reminded herself that while issues rarely arose one at a time, she could only tackle them one at a time. She’d study, then work, then deal with her mother when her mother didn’t have an overnight guest and when she wasn’t still drunk from the night before. Worrying and stressing out wouldn’t help her in the least. As for Brandon asking her out, she decided not to overthink it. Being asked out wasn’t the worst thing that could happen. Not even close. It might actually be fun. Fun, as it turned out, was a luxury Alex hadn’t been able to afford in recent months. And if Brandon ended up being a complete jerk or anything like some of her mother’s friends had been, she always had her pepper spray.