“It is,” I reply.“They’re closing after lunch for some remodeling.”
“Great.Then you’re free for dinner?”
“Dinner?”I stare back at her like she just asked me to walk on the moon.
“Yeah.My mom does this weekly dinner, and there’s alwayssomuch.Think you and your son can join us?”
“Oh, I?—”
“I insist,” Anastasia replies.“Jack was going to come, but since he’s not going to be there, you can be my plus two.”She beams at me.“I think she’s making enchiladas, and they are seriously the best.”
“I don’t?—”
“I won’t take no for an answer.”She withdraws her phone and pushes it at me.“Put your number in, and I’ll text you the address.We’re eating at six, but you can show up anytime after five.”
I stare down at her phone, trying to decide what a legitimate excuse is not to go.I’ve worked hard to keep all attachments to a minimum.That way, should I need to cut and run, no one remembers me well enough to care that I’m gone.
But when no excuse comes to mind, I enter my phone number, save the contact, then hand it back to Anastasia, who shoves it into her pocket with a smile.
“Can we bring anything?”
“Just yourselves,” Anastasia replies.
The bell dings overhead as three women walk into the café, all of them talking happily.
“I’ll see you later, okay?”
“Yeah, okay.”
Anastasia offers me a wave before taking the new orders, so I grab my stack of papers, purse, sweater, and head out the door, my mind reeling on all that’s happened already.I mean, it’s not even ten in the morning, and I have a job and a family dinner invitation.
A slow smile spreads over my face as I start toward the diner to help with a quick, short shift before they close the doors for the day.The sun is bright overhead, and the salty sea air hits my lungs just as it does every time I step outside.Somehow, though, today feels different—happier.
Hopeful.
Like maybe, just maybe, this could be a turning point for my life.