Yeah, we hada lotof fun in thatJeep.
Ryan pulls off exit 105 in the direction ofShrewsbury, another inland shore town closer to Neptune than ColtsNeck. We pull into a large parking lot sprinkled with cars. TheAmericana is an iconical New Jersey diner located on a busyhighway; it’s a quintessential eating establishment with mirroreddoors, a stainless steel exterior and neon lights. It’s where highschool kids meet late night and elderly couples come earlymorning.
Ryan finds a parking space in front. “Ready?”he asks as he turns off the car.
“Are you ready?”
“No, but fuck it. You have to meet her.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s time.”
“Time for who?”
“Time for all of us.”
“Okay.”
I step out of the car and smooth out mysweater. I decided casual was the way to go; a chunky cable knitsweater, brown leggings and cognac riding boots. My hair is downand my makeup is light. Ryan is wearing loose-fitting jeans, a longsleeved t-shirt and black leather jacket. I love it when he wearsthat jacket, it makes him look all sexy and smooth and urbancool.
He takes my hand and we walk up the frontsteps together. The inside of the diner is flashy with teal boothsand reflective walls, typical diner décor. There’s a large counterdirectly in front of us with two women dressed in pink button upshirts, aprons and black pants. One has silver hair and dark skin,the other looks much younger with long brown hair, smile lines andRyan’s blue eyes. My heart starts to hammer when she looks at me.She’s standing perfectly still with an apprehensive expression onher face as Ryan and I approach, like two serial killers arewalking towards her.
There’s an uncomfortable silence at first,and I know this isn’t easy for Ryan. He finally clears his throatand says, “Hey mom.”
“Hey son,” she responds uneasily.
“This is Alana,” he says, and she does a onceover on me; she doesn’t seem impressed.
I step forward and put my hand out over thecounter, “Mrs. Pierce, it’s nice to finally meet you.”
She shakes my hand lightly; as if she’safraid she’ll muddy me or something.
“You too, honey,” she replies, and it soundslike she has an accent. Brooklyn maybe?
Ryan sits down and I follow suit.
“Coffee?” she asks, as she flips over thewhite cups sitting in front of us.
“Yes, please.”
She pours two cups and slides over some creamand sugar to me. “Just black,” I say politely before I pass themover to Ryan.
Is it hot in here or is it just me?Ipull on the collar of my sweater.
I tuck some hair behind my ear before I takea sip, and Ryan’s mom stops short when she sees one of my mother’searrings sticking out of my earlobe.
“Those are very beautiful,” she says coolly,stealing a glance at Ryan.
“Thank you, they were my mother’s,” I saygraciously, but I suddenly feel uncomfortable.
Ryan and his mother exchange some small talkas I quietly sip my coffee, feeling very much like andoutsider.
“Have you seen Sean lately?” Mrs. Pierce askshim.
“Yes, last week,” Ryan answers annoyed.
She gives him some kind of secret look andRyan gives her one in return. I try to interpret the facialexpressions; but I’m not versed in Ryan’s family well enough tounderstand what they’re implying.