Page 11 of The Erion Triad

She scurried into the bathroom without looking at him.

“I… won’t be long.” She closed the door and sank behind it.

What was wrong with her? Her blood usually heated the moment he looked at her. She couldn’t help thinking there was something she was missing—something very important—but her mind was slippery and the thought was elusive. Maybe she really was coming down with the flu. She made a mental note to stop at the drugstore and pick up some vitamins.

“Come on, Luce. I don’t have all day.” Grant called from behind the door.

She’d better be quick. He wasn’t the most patient man, and besides, he was only busy because of her. He was the one who was going to get her career off the ground. He was the one who would help her climb the ladder. He’d already met Donald Stephenson, and he was the person to get to know. If anyone could help her, it was Grant.

Trying to ignore the overwhelming need for sleep, she turned on the shower, only the water refused to warm up. She remembered Grant in the towel. He’d already showered, and the hot water tank wasn’t that big.

She stepped beneath the cool stream and made short work of washing her body and her hair. At least the cool water might help her wake up properly.

* * *

They drew up to Flips’n’Burgers. For a Sunday, the breakfast crowd was thick and steady.

She turned to Grant, squinting. “What are we doing here?”

Grant stunned her with his hundred-watt smile. “We’re here for breakfast. Surprise!”

“But… but I work here.” She wasn’t due for three more hours. Her shift started at twelve until nine or ten that night. Depending on customers.

“Right. Now you won’t have to drive here after breakfast—and I’ve secured you another couple of hours extra on top of your regular shift. Just for the extra cash.”

He reached behind and grabbed something on the back seat, placing it on her lap. “See? I even brought your uniform so you won’t have to go back to the apartment.”

The uniform was retro red-and-white check to fit in with the fifties style burger diner popular with teens and families. She’d worked here for years. Why did she remember that, and everything else was white noise?

Before she could stutter a reply, Grant opened his door and stepped out. The silence in the car was stifling. He walked to the front of the restaurant, seemingly oblivious to the fact she was still in the car until just before he entered. He turned, sending her a ‘what’s up’ gesture.

She shouldn’t complain. He was taking her out for breakfast. She just should have asked about the location. Sighing, she grabbed the uniform and her bag, stepped out of the car, and followed him into the familiar restaurant.

Elvis warbled over the loudspeakers and she was enveloped in the aromas of fries and fat.

Grant sat in one of the stalls and before she could sit next to him, he said, “Grab me a coffee, babe? And while you’re up, might as well order something to eat. I’ll have the Beatle Burger and fries. And put me down for the Supremes apple pie. Love that pie.”

Lucie sighed and made her way to the counter.

Janie, her friend and fellow waitress, looked up, surprised, her smile welcoming, but confused. “Hey. You’re three hours early!”

“Hey, Luce!” Luke waved from inside the kitchen and sent her a friendly way.

Lucie smiled and waved back. This place might be hard on her feet, but the people she worked with more than made up for it.

“Oh, yeah, we’ve come for breakfast. Grant thought it would be handy if I came here and started early. Might as well, you know. Makes it easier to start my shift and I can earn an extra couple hours work,” she said.

Janie scowled, her eyes sliding to Grant slouched in the seat. “Could have taken you anywhere. Why not to the five-star place just down the road?”

“He just thought it would be easier for me, that’s all.” Lucie felt her face heating. It would have been nice to sit down and have someone else wait on her for a change, but she shouldn’t be angry. The extra pay would come in handy for the recording she was going to make later in the week. She remembered that now. “Professional recordings are expensive and I need the best choice we can make.”

Janie put her hand over Lucie’s and squeezed. “Yes, but—are you sure he’s making the best one for you?”

Lucie’s gaze shot to her friends. “Of course. Why wouldn’t he? It’s expensive to start up and producers only want to hear professional recordings.”

Grant saw her talent. He’d been the only person to believe in her dream. The only person to actually take on her career and help her without wanting anything back.

“It’s just that…” Janie bit her lip.

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