Page 83 of Hard Hat Hottie

Why does that seem ominous?

I reach for the mug with my right hand, tugging on her blonde strands with my left. “Never know what color you’ll be.”

She shrugs. “I don’t like to show favoritism.”

“Do I even know what your real hair color is?”

“Probably not.”

“I barely do.” Ellie giggles as she plates some of the best smelling home fries next to a steaming omelet stuffed with vegetables and cheese.

“Man, I’ve missed your cooking.”

“Well, I’m happy to share as long as I’m here. Plus, you know where to find us.” She picks up an herb covered potato from the skillet and pops it into her mouth. “You haven’t seen the restaurant yet.”

“You’re right.” I leave out, because I couldn’t leave my mother home alone any more than I already had. Somehow, having the funeral behind me has caused me to be a little more surly at how often I’d left her. It may be the stages of grief talking, but I was now having a harder time with the fact she died without me being here than I had before.

“What are your plans?” Matt asks.

“For what?” Today, tomorrow, next year? Where is he going with this? “Hang out with you until I have to bring you back to the?—"

“You know what I mean, dipshit. Are you planning to stay here?”

I look about the place, confused. “What’s wrong with it?” I love my home. Sure, it was full of memories of Mom, but I was okay with that. I’m already feeling dejected. I don’t need to pack up and move somewhere void of any connection to anyone.

“Harry, the place is beautiful. You know that. We just worry about you here.”

“Why?”

Charlene, who is frequently devoid of a filter, comes closer. “Because you’ve been avoiding relationships for long enough. The last thing you need is to wallow in sorrow here.”

What the hell?

“Who’s avoiding relationships?” I ask pointedly, my eyes narrowing in her direction. Charlene may have intimated that she was trying to get back out there, but I’ve yet to see it. And why am I suddenly in the hot seat this morning?

“What happened to your girl?” Matt asks as steam rises from his cup, making his visage blurred.

“What girl? I don’t have a girl.”

“Yes, you did,” the three of them answer simultaneously.

“It didn’t work out.”

“Why? Because you didn’t make room for her? You pushed her away before she could do the same to you?” Matt barks.

“All right, all right. I don’t need an intervention. I know I suck at relationships. Do we really have to do this now?”

“Yes!” Ellie blurts. “You aren’t getting any younger, old man. You can’t keep pushing everyone away.”

“I don’t pusheveryoneaway. I’ve got Char.”

Charlene rolls her eyes at me. “I’m a convenient plus one. A wing woman. I deserve better.” She snorts. “And so do you.”

“You’re better than this,” Ellie says. “Sometimes, I wonder if you didn’t prefer it that way. Too busy to take a chance.”

“Yes. I’ve wondered the same thing.” Matthew steps behind Ellie, pulling her back to his chest before draping his armsaround her. Seeing them together only reminds me of how alone I’ll be soon. “It’s an insult to our mother.”

I hop up from my seat abruptly, incensed that anyone would accuse me of doing anything to degrade her. My stool topples to the ground, only magnifying how tense I feel.

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