Page 32 of We Thought We Were Invincible
“I'm sorry, Cal. I know how much that truck means to you.”
I shrugged, doing my best to look nonchalant. “This summer the mechanic said I probably shouldn't be driving her so I knew it was coming.”
Kat set a steaming plate of pancakes and bacon in front of me as if she had it ready the moment I walked in the door.
“No hash browns?” I asked through a mouthful, raising one eyebrow.
“Sometimes I still forget you eat as much as Colby's entire soccer team.” She laughed, placing my order for hash browns on the pass-through window.
“That,” I said, waving a piece of bacon in front of my face. “Is an exaggeration. Oh, and I'm buying douchebag's breakfast.”
“That'd be me,” Jamie cut in, eyeing my bacon.
“So, he'll have eggs with mushrooms and onions.”
Jamie was gagging beside me. There were no three foods he hated more. I didn't get how anyone hated eggs.
“French toast with extra bacon coming up.” Kat winked at him, and a smug smile appeared on his face.
“Ooo, and I want coffee.” I said.
“Since when?” Jay asked.
“Now.”
Kat set a mug down in front of me, and I turned the sugar container upside-down over it, a single long stream of sugar dropping into the coffee. Jay and Jamie both stared at me, their mouths hanging open as I put the sugar down, stirred, and took a sip.
“Soooo much better.” I sighed.
Jay chuckled as Jamie snorted and Kat shook her head.
“Callie, when you're done eating, can you meet me in the back?”
“Sure thing. Just giving me a minute.”
I shoveled food into my mouth, not talking to the boys much. They didn't say a word to each other either. I finished my food and hopped off the stool.
Kat was in the back, waiting for me, a small box in hand.
“Kat, you didn't have to get me anything,” I said.
“This isn't from me.”
“Then who…” My mouth went dry. “Mom?”
She smiled. “Open it.”
I took the box gingerly in my hands, flipping it over, letting the softness brush against my skin. Did she hold this very box? The edges were fraying, but other than that it was perfect. Perfect because what was inside was hers.
I pulled it open slowly, revealing a gold chain on which hung a locket shaped like a surfboard. Hesitating, I used my fingernails to pry it open. Nestled inside was a picture of Mom, the diner in the background, and a baby in each arm.
Kat wiped a tear from my cheek. “Only happy thoughts today, okay? Your mom loved you and that's what matters. Remember that, and it isn't like she's gone at all.”
“Thanks, Aunt Kat. Just… thank you.”
“Happy eighteenth, California.”
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