Page 55 of Spiritwarrior

“Oh.”

Jody could tell she was at a loss for words. Fortunately, he didn’t have the same problem. Swinging the kitchen door open, he moved toward the counter.

“Hey, Joel. Good to see you.”

“Jody. How are you doing?”

“Doing good. What can we get you?”

“Sophie’s taking care of me. I don’t have time to eat. I’m driving my sister to Louisville. My grandmother isn’t feeling well, so Sherree will be staying with her until she feels better.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope she feels better soon.”

Jody had to restrain himself from leaping over the counter at the triumphant look he gave him. He had made his move, and Joel had countered him.

“Thanks. How much do I owe you, Sophie?”

“The coffee is on the house, Joel.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it. Jody, see you around.”

Jody nodded, letting Joel almost reach the door.

“Oh … Joel. Game on.”

Joel lifted two fingers to his forehead and gave him a sarcastic salute.

When he turned around, he saw Sophie staring at him curiously.

“What did that mean?”

“Joel plays games with Jacob and me. I was just reminding him that we have a game coming up.”

“I don’t know how guys get so into games.”

“Some more than others.”

He went back into the kitchen to start filling the orders for the large tables. After lunch, Jody saw the restaurant had emptied out. After washing his hands, he went to the front of the restaurant, where Sophie and Logan were cleaning tables.

“Sophie, where do you keep the light bulbs?”

“I’ll show you.”

Taking the dishes to the busing station, she went to the kitchen and showed him.

Reaching for them on the top shelf of the metal unit that held the restaurant supplies, he grabbed one of the bulbs then looked around the kitchen. “Where’s the step ladder?”

Sophie looked up at the ceiling where the bulb was out then went back to the metal unit.

“It was here yesterday, behind the paper cup box.”

Jody moved the box so they could clearly look behind it. “Could Ginny or Fynn have moved it?”

“Possibly, but I don’t see where.”

Sophie texted Fynn, Ginny, and asked Logan. None of them were aware of where it was.

“I suppose I could climb up on a chair,” she said.

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