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The first was to Millie’s Diner.
The manager greeted him by name.
“Good to see you, Nate.”
Nathan shrugged when I looked at him.
“I used to work here.”
A waitress brought Nathan coffee without asking what he wanted.
We sat in a corner booth.
A waitress brought Nathan coffee without asking what he wanted.
He ordered two slices of apple pie.
“Expecting company?” I asked.
“I dislike making decisions.”
The second outing was to the ocean.
People sometimes assumed I was his daughter.
I helped him across the sand. He removed his shoes, pressed his feet down, and closed his eyes.
“Worth it?” I asked.
“Ask me when I can’t stand.”
People sometimes assumed I was his daughter.
Nathan always answered before I could.
Still, after years of caring for my mother and being needed by everyone, I liked being chosen.
“She is.”
Every time he said it, warmth moved through me, followed by guilt.
I knew we were pretending.
Still, after years of caring for my mother and being needed by everyone, I liked being chosen.
Nathan weakened quickly.