Throughout the day, men came to visit James. Leo and Paul entered, complaining about the women that were not looking for long term. She was surprised to hear of the two men looking for forever. They didn’t seem to care that she was there, listening to it all.
Lunch came from Teri, and she walked in carrying two plates. When Suzy glanced at the clock, she saw it was a couple hours past lunch time.
“Here you go. Sorry it’s late, I was experimenting. I’m surprised you haven’t quit.”
“I kind of like a challenge, and this is totally what this is, a complete challenge.” Suzy let out a breath. “I think I’ll be working here until I die.”
“I hope by that time all of this is dealt with,” James said. “I’m not paying
you to fail.”
Suzy chuckled. “I’ll get it done.”
“I got you a veggie burger. I’m experimenting again,” Teri said, flopping down onto the sofa opposite her.
“What was wrong with your last burger?”
“Nothing. I got bored of making it, and when I get bored, I know it’s time to move on and jazz it up a little. Take a bite, and let me know what you think.”
Teri was one amazing cook. The best, actually, and the diner was the best in the world. She didn’t just serve fast diner food. She was constantly changing the menu, and putting her own spin on everything.
Taking a bite, Suzy closed her eyes.
“Now, I didn’t put mayo as a spread, but I put a spicy kind of yogurt sauce thingy,” Teri said.
“That has to be the best way to eat vegetables.”
“You really think so?” she asked, nibbling her lip.
“Teri, you know it’s perfect,” James said. “What I don’t get is why I’m having to eat it. I like meat.”
Teri blew a raspberry. “You know being a man doesn’t have anything to do with the amount of meat you consume.”
“I like meat. Beef, chicken, pork, lamb even. I’ll settle for shrimp, and the occasional fish, but tofu and vegetarian is not going to satisfy me,” James said, dropping the burger onto his plate.
Teri rolled her eyes, and then whistled. A second later Damon came in carrying a plate of steak and potatoes.
“That’s more like it.”
When Damon went to take the burger from him, James slapped his hand.
“I thought you didn’t like it,” Teri said.
“I still need to eat my five meals a day.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re just worried that your rep is going to be ruined because you liked a veggie burger.” Teri chuckled, turning toward Suzy. “I’ve got to head back to the diner. It’s good having you around. There needs to be more women here. I need to balance things out a bit.”
“Please. You know how to handle the men, and you’ve been doing a good job of it for a long time.”
Teri smiled. “I do, don’t I?” She was at the door when she turned around. “I forgot, Cora called. Ryan’s in some trouble again at school, and she wanted me to tell you. She couldn’t get in touch with the club.”
James cursed. “I thought we’d dealt with Ryan.”
“Something’s not right. According to Cora, he just snapped. She saw him this morning, and he wasn’t the same kid.”
“I’ll call Lucy. Thanks, Teri. You’re the best.”
“I try.”