color of chocolate sauce. He took a bite with some mashies and felt the swell of comfort warm its way through his body. The food tasted better than his grandmother’s, and that was saying a lot. Having skipped lunch this afternoon, he ate without interruption, barely pausing to come up for air.
“Hey, Bjorny,” Vicky said from behind the counter.
He nodded at the bleached-blond waitress as he forked gravy onto his next bite. She’d been needling him for years about his bachelor status.
“I can make better meat loaf than that, if you’d ever care to find out.”
“It’s actually the gravy that makes it.”
She watched him eat, one hand on supple hip. “Why you always turning down better offers, fella?”
“Once around the mountain might be enough for me.”
“You’re going to die an old bachelor if you keep this up.”
“At least I’ll die with a smile on my face, especially after a meal like this.”
“I can think of a better way to put a smile on your face.”
“Thanks, but I got two missing kids to find. Looks like my personal life’s going to be taking a backseat for a while.”
“When you find them, sweetie, make sure you come back and see me.”
“With meat loaf this good, Vicky, you’re due to see me in here on a regular basis. Just like you have for the past sixteen years.” He stood and tossed down a twenty on the counter, frugal in all things except tipping. “We’re practically husband and wife, you and me.”
“My best work sure ain’t in the kitchen.” She smiled at him.
“Bet you say that to all the guys.”
“That’s because most guys want more than just my meat loaf.” She winked at him.
He put on his cap, waved good-bye, and left the diner. Once in his car, he checked his cell phone and noticed that Isla had not yet contacted him. He felt like a high school kid all over again, waiting for the pretty girl to return his call.
* * *
Isla looked tired when she opened the kitchen door. He took off his cap and nodded politely, clutching his cap over his heart so she wouldn’t notice it beating out of his chest. Her father sat at the kitchen table, fiddling with a butter knife in his arthritic hands. Past that, he could see Raisin sprawled on the floor and watching television. Scout was curled up next to Raisin, and he raised his head momentarily to check Karl out before laying it back down on his paws. Katie reclined on the couch with a wet washcloth over her forehead. The lights had been dimmed, due to her sensitivity to light, he guessed.
“Nice to see you. What’s the occasion?” Isla’s father said.
“Just thought I’d stop by and see how everyone’s doing,” he said, looking at Isla for guidance. “How are you, Mr. Lee?”
“Been better. My memory’s been giving me fits lately.”
“Sorry to hear that.” Karl sat down next to him.
“No sorrier than I am,” he said, turning the knife over in his fingers, as if studying every inch of it. “How’s Sven doing these days? Still own that body shop over on Lincoln?”
The mention of Sven brought back mostly happy memories. Karl’s father had been dead for seven years now. He remembered the funeral and shaking hands with Isla’s father. “He’s fine. Thank you.”
“Good. Give him my best.”
“Will do.”
“I see that you’re an army man now. When did that happen?”
“I’m a police officer.”
“Yup, he’s an officer, all right.” Isla poured him a cup of coffee and set it down in front of him.
“Well, if you’re thinking about taking her out on the town tonight, better think again. She has lots of homework to do tonight.”
The comment made Karl blush, and he stared down at his cup of coffee, as if that might help.
“Dad, why don’t you go to your room and watch one of your shows?” Isla said.
“That’s a good idea. Maybe Gunsmoke’s on.” He stood from the table and made his way to the doorway. “Take care, army man,” he said before disappearing.
“Sorry about that,” she said.
“There’s nothing to be sorry about. He’s very lucky he has a daughter like you to care for him.”
“I feel like Nurse Ratched at times.” She laughed in a way that softened his mood. “Sometimes it feels like I’m living in an insane asylum.”
“You’ve been through a lot lately.”
“I’ll say. I’m just lucky Ray’s mother comes over from time to time and gives me a few minutes to breathe. She’s been an angel through all this.”