Page 14 of Chasing Fireflies

“Yep. I love this town, couldn’t imagine living anywhere else,” she says. “Now, let me show you how our computer system works.”

*

“Hey.” I hear and look up from the computer.

“Hey,” I reply, smiling at my husband.

“Good day?” he asks as he walks closer to me.

“Better than I thought.” He kisses me quickly, and I look up when Maci comes around the corner.

“Hello.” She smiles. “You must be Sara’s husband.”

“Nice to meet you. Maci, is it?”

“Yes.”

“I’m Cash.” He reaches for her hand to shake.

“I heard you’re working with the chief. I was telling Sara I’m glad to see Chief Rogers has some more help over there,” she says, taking my husband’s hand. Cash smiles. “Sara, I’ll close up. You two can head on home. Enjoy your evening.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” she asks.

“I’ll be here.”

*

“So, do you think you’re going to like it?”

“I think so. It’s quiet, which is a plus.”

“I’m happy you’re happy.” He smiles at me. “What do you wanna do for supper? Wanna try Billy’s Barbeque Pit? I’ve heard they have the best ribs.”

“Okay,” I reply as we pull up to our house.

“I’ll get changed and we can leave,” he says, walking up the stairs.

*

Cash

I open the door and let my wife walk in first. She links our fingers, and I see it when people look our way. Sara is a beauty, but she doesn’t like the attention. And because she is a beauty, that’s all she gets. She goes without makeup most of the time even though that doesn’t matter. She looks good with or without it.

“How many?” the hostess asks.

“Two,” I tell her. I look over the crowded room. “You got anything outside?” She looks at me like I’m crazy. Although it’s warm today, I want my wife to be comfortable while she eats, and I know she won’t be if she thinks people are looking at her.

“Right this way.”

We take our seats, and I sigh happily when I notice a small fan rotating not too far from us.

“Your waitress will be over soon.”

We look over the menu, and I decide on the rib plate while Sara says she wants the same.

“Thanks for asking for a seat outside,” she says.

---