Page 15 of Falling Backwards
“I just don’t know,” she moans, smacking her hands to the sides of her hair.“Do I wanna eat at this place, where they have loaded fries and beer?Or do I wantpizzaand beer?Or tacos and margaritas?Or Merritt’s because Merritt’s has the best margaritas even though they don’t have tacos?”
Emma asks, “And do you wanna party on the day of or the weekend following?”
“I don’t knowwww.”
One thing worth considering is whether any of those places have Wednesday-night specials she’s interested in.We do a bit of research on our phones to learn about that, and it seems to help.She narrows it down to either the bar or one of the pizza places in town.She starts another decision dance in her seat while she thinks out loud about which menu items she likes.
I suddenly realize I want to wash my hands before our food is ready.I stand from my chair and wiggle my fingers at the girls when they glance at me.They nod in understanding and go on ruminating, and I hasten to the bathroom.I don’t want either of them to have to carry my food back along with theirs.
While I lather up my hands, I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror and smile again about my outfit.I’ll have to go with some less flashy jewelry when it’s time for work, though.
I ponder my options as I go back to the table.Then renewed hunger takes over because I find our lunch spread out there.But even as I slip back into my seat with my mouth watering, I feel bad that I didn’t get my handwashing done quickly enough after all.
Joy and Emma pause their ongoing party conversation to take bites of their breakfast burgers, which gives me time to say, “Thank you guys for grabbing my food for me.I’m sorry I wasn’t here to get it myself.”
Joy raises her eyebrows and one pointer finger.After she chews enough to swallow her bite, she nods at the front counter.“Actually, someone who works here brought everything over to us.We didn’t have to get up like usual!”
My eyebrows lift, too, at this happy surprise.“Oh, really?”
Emma nods.“Yeah, he didn’t even bother calling our numbers.Just came right over.”
I pick up my first spicy fry victim.“Well, what a nice—”
“Hi again,” a male voice cuts in.
I glance up to the figure beside me, take in his Mellow Burger shirt and cap and the eyes fixed on me…and my hand stills just shy of my mouth.
“‘Again’?”Emma repeats curiously.“Y’all know each other?”
Although she gets a nod and a smile from the guy I collided with at Merritt’s, I’m the one he’s looking at.“Yeah, I sort of made your friend’s acquaintance last night at the bar, after she spilled her drink.She was on her way to the restroom and we bumped into each other.”
Emma hums her understanding while Joy says, “Aw!”
“You remember me, don’t you?”he asks me.
My brain is hung on his comment about me spilling my drink.I thought he only started paying me attention while he was at his tall tableafterour collision, but it sounds like he was watching me for longer than that.Like, way longer.
Between this information and his current direct question, I’m left feeling awkward.
I should respond somehow, though.
It dawns on me that I’m still holding my fry in the air, so I lower my hand to my lap.“Mmhmm.”
“What’s that?”he asks, leaning a little closer.
And I lean back that much, clearing my throat to speak a little more loudly.“Yes, I remember you.Of course.”After a beat, I gesture half-heartedly with my other hand.“How are—?Oh, um—”
He has grabbed my hand and started shaking it.
“I’m awesome,” he says with another smile.“And I’m really happy to finally meet you.My name is Kyle.Kyle Danfords.Are you Maggie?I think I heard your friends mention that a minute ago.”
I’m not sure if I’m more uncomfortable or confused.
I look to the girls for help and see they, quite unlike me, seem to be intrigued.
“Ooh,” Joy is saying, “isthatwhy you brought our food out to us?So you could talk to her?”
Emma chortles around her bite of sweet potato fries.“Aha.”
