communications. I don’t know. It might take me a while to
find a job that I’d be somewhat qualified for, but I could find
something to keep busy at in the meantime.
Our server comes back bearing a kids’ placemat to
color, complete with a brand new box of three crayons, and the
biggest shake I’ve ever seen. Tildy gasps. Her eyes get huge.
“Wow,” she whispers to me. “That’s awesome!”
It’s awesome for me who has to keep you for dinner
while you’re riding that massive sugar high. “Maybe we can
share it,” I volunteer, even though birthday cake shake sounds
awful first thing in the morning.
“No way! I’m going to drink it all.” Tildy giggles, tries
her shake, and immediately becomes so absorbed in it that we
might as well not even be here.
“I just feel bad about all of this. I feel like I—”
“It’s okay. Really. Don’t feel bad.”
I don’t know what else to say and I don’t want to get
stuck repeating that in a big circle, so I wait for Steph to take
the lead. She changes the subject, which I’m perfectly fine
with.
“Did you find any books at the coffee shop?”
“I found several. I read one of them. It was great. I
haven’t read anything in that genre in a while.”
“I should have stopped back, but I haven’t found time
yet.”
“I’m sure you will. There’s always time for reading.”
“Can I ask you something personal?” Steph asks all of
a sudden. Her eyes wander over to Tildy, who is enjoying her
shake and coloring her placemat. She’s completely tuned us
out.