warm cookies off at Marvin Jones's apartment. It was just down Bank Street, above the boxing gym, and Billy said that Marvin would love getting the cookies.
Marvin Jones was a boxing legend from way back, about fifty years ago. Drew had heard of him and knew he was Billy's coach and had owned the gym before Billy took it over. Marvin did some kind of shuffling shadowboxing move back in the day. Drew's dad used to do it when Drew was a little boy.
They delivered the cookies, and Marvin was excited to get them. He was a nice man, and Drew enjoyed meeting him. Drew introduced himself as 'Lucy's friend', and Marvin told him he needed to come to the gym to work out sometime. Billy had already told him the same thing. Drew thanked Marvin for the invitation and promised that he would come back to the gym soon.
Drew and Mac were walking from the gym to the car when Mac said, "They got milkshakes in there." He pointed to the diner on the corner.
Carson's.
Drew gestured to it. "Did you want to go there and get a milkshake?"
"Sure!" Mac said, like it was all Drew's idea.
The two of them walked down the sidewalk and into Carson's Diner. It was almost dinner time, but it was Sunday, so they weren't busy. There were empty stools at the counter, and Drew and Mac took a seat there.
Mac knew just what to do, and Drew followed him. He was too short for the stool, but easily climbed up onto it without help, and he made quick work of getting settled at the counter.
"Well, hey, Mister Mac," said the cook who could see them through the window. "I didn't even recognize you at first, with your new friend."
"Yeah," Mac said, his feet swinging under the counter.
Drew glanced at the cook. "I'm Drew."
"Patrick," the cook replied with a nod. "Betty will be with you in a minute."
Within seconds, a waitress walked up to them. "How's my favorite little boy?" she said.
Drew glanced at Mac, who was looking shy, gently kicking his feet under the counter.
"Who did you bring with you today," Betty continued, still talking to Mac.
He took a deep breath. "Aw, just my mom's friend from the boat dock," Mac said.
"Oh, do you work over at the port?" Betty asked Drew, not quite understanding.
"No ma'am, we met at the park. On a dock. I'm Drew."
"He used to be a pirate," Mac said.
"A pirate," Betty said in an amazed tone. "What kind of pirate?" She looked intrigued and gave Drew a more thorough inspection for Mac's enjoyment.
"A nice one," Mac said reassuringly.
"Oh, okay, thank the Lord," Betty said, sounding relieved. "What can I get the nice pirate and his first mate to eat or drink?"
"Two milkshakes, please," Drew said.
"Two milkshakes, coming up. I know Mac King wants chocolate, but what about you, Mister Drew the pirate from the boat dock?"
"Chocolate for me, too, please," Drew said.
After Betty walked away, Drew raised his eyebrows comically saying he couldn't wait for the milkshake. This caused Mac to laugh and kick under the counter again.
"Should we get some food for dinner and take it home to your mama? It's almost dinnertime. What's your mom's favorite thing from here? We could order it and take it home."
"Well, my mom does love chicken nuggets."
"Is that her favorite or your favorite?" Drew asked.
"She likes them too."
"What does she like the most?" Drew asked. "If I get you the chicken nuggets and her something else."
"Lucy gets a club sandwich like her mama," Betty said, overhearing them. "If it's cold out, she'll switch to meatloaf and mashed potatoes or soup, but I'd go with the club today."
Drew looked up at Betty, smiling at the fact that she knew Lucy's order. "How about two of those club sandwiches and some chicken nuggets for little man." Drew paused and glanced down at Mac. "Is that right? You wanna go with the chicken nuggets?"
"I'd be shocked if he didn't," Betty said.
Mac nodded, agreeing that he wanted the nuggets.
"Lucy gets a substitution on her sandwich," Betty said. "Do you want Patrick to make yours that way, or do you want the regular club?"
Drew didn't care what the substitution was. "He can just make them both the same, that's fine," Drew said.
Betty smiled and gave him a nod as she went to get started on their orders. She spoke to Patrick for a second through the window and she went to make their milkshakes.
Moments later, she put