Ada looked like she’d died and gone to heaven. Cloud nine a distant memory, she was on cloud twelve and sitting next to God. “That would be grand,” she breathed.
Wonderful.
Now Eddie was doing favors for my friends. I’d never be able to pay him back and get him out of my life.
“Ada’s addicted to those cop shows,” Mom explained.
Eddie smiled just as the buzzer rang.
“I’l get it,” I said because Mom was transfixed watching Eddie smile.
Trixie was at the door, “Hey Jet. Sorry I’m late.” I was just relieved there was no overnight bag.
“We’ve already started eating,” I told her.
She wasn’t listening, she was walking into the dining area and beaming at Eddie.
“Eddie! Great to see you again. Hey Ada.” She sat down, poured herself some iced tea and, without further ado, started to pile food on her plate.
“Eddie’s going to arrange a tour of a police station for me,” Ada announced. “They’re gonna take my prints and everything!”
“That’s fantastic,” Trixie replied, then turned to Mom,
“Have you packed?”
I looked from one to the other as Mom nodded.
“Packed?” I asked.
Trixie looked at me.
“Yeah, your Mom’s spending the night with me.” I closed my eyes and silently asked God, Why me?
God had no reply.
The table was created for four, five was a tight fit.
Eddie’s arm slid along the back of my chair, even as he continued to eat. I looked at him and realized he was having the time of his life.
He met my gaze.
“I really don’t like you,” I whispered.
His dimple came out.
“What was that?” Mom asked.
“Nothing,” I muttered and started to shovel food into my mouth.
“Jet, this meal is wonderful,” Trixie said, digging in. Then she looked at Eddie, “Jet’s an excel ent cook.”
“The best,” Mom chimed in.
“You should taste her meatloaf. Never had meatloaf as good as Jet’s,” Ada added.
Dear Lord.
Meatloaf was meatloaf.