Page 15 of Something Blue

She looked at him sweetly. “Because you were always nice to everyone. Helping out when you could.”

His dad nodded toward him. “You were a lot like that as a kid.”

“And I’m not now?”

His dad shrugged. “Business does that to a man. Makes him hard, keeps him from becoming weak during a transaction. You’re still the same person.”

While everyone’s attention returned to their menus, he couldn’t move past the fact they’d attended the same high school. And had even talked once or twice. What were the odds?

When the waiter came, Sadie rattled off what she wanted while he thought about the past.

“Pineapple fried rice with chicken. Put the green onions and bean sprouts on the side, please. And one order of sweet and sour chicken and massaman curry with extra peanuts.”

Judy glanced at the menu. “Have you been here before? Not many people know about this place.”

She nodded and ducked her head. Maybe her relationship with her mom was strained.

“Would you mind if we shared all the dishes? I’ve never had the pineapple fried rice.” Judy asked.

She lifted her head and seemed to force a smile. “Sure.”

“Perfect,” his dad said, turning to the waitress. “We’ll have an order of spring rolls, Basil stir fry, and mango sticky rice for dessert.”

“Ooo, I love their egg rolls,” Sadie said, her voice softer than before. “Mom and I only splurged on them a couple of times, but . . .” Her smile was labored as she continued. “They’re good enough to eat every time.”

Something was definitely up with her mom. Is that why she said she and her mom used to eat there? Instead of bringing it up now, he made a mental note to ask her about it another time.

Drinks were brought and they chit-chatted about their favorite entrées from the menu while they waited for their food. She seemed to open up more as they talked about the options. He nodded and listened, only moving his arm from around Sadie when their dinner came. It was quiet as they passed the orders around, then soft moans rumbled around the table as they tried the various flavors.

“This is excellent,” his dad said, trying the pineapple fried rice. “I have yet to try something here I haven’t liked.”

Andy thought any questions about their relationship would be finished, but when his dad pushed his plate aside, his fork slid around his sweaty hand.

His dad leaned back in his chair and tapped the side of the table. “So, Sadie, what do you do?”

“I’m a nurse.”

“You’re a nurse?” his mom said, her eyes lighting up. Just as he expected. “How wonderful. What part of the hospital do you work in?”

“Well, I used to work in the pediatric cancer wing,” she said, earning gasps from his parents. “But now I work in the ER.”

“Th-that’s wonderful, honey,” his mom said with emotion.

“Did I say something wrong?” Sadie’s voice was soft and careful.

His mom’s eyes misted over, and she took Sadie’s hand. “Andy’s father had a fight with cancer not long ago, and we are forever grateful for the nurses who served him. You do amazing work.”

“It’s so great he won his battle,” she said.

Andy thought he caught a hint of nostalgia in her voice. Maybe she missed the cancer wing.

“My mom also fought cancer for a long time, but it finally took her life three years ago. My dad moved to California when I was nine, so it was just the two of us.”

Andy’s fork clattered to the table as he instinctively reached for her hand. Showing he hadn’t known until now would be a dead giveaway, but he could at least hold her hand. He squeezed it and gave her a sympathetic look.

“I guess I’m not really over it,” she said, dabbing at her eye. “We used to come here every month, but since she’s been gone, I haven’t had the heart to come without her.”

If she could act through the pain, she was more mature than he’d guessed. The urge to take her in his arms overwhelmed him, and he settled on leaning closer to her. Automatically, she leaned in and their heads touched. Her brief touch shocked him.

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