Page 290 of Falling Backwards
As I leave her stand, I check the time again—and find I actually have one minute to spare.
I pick up my pace.This is a laughably late start at caring about punctuality, but…well, better late than never, right?
Right.
I turn a peek back at Maggie, knowing that was absolutely true for us in our own way.
—
During my break, I push past the pulse-quickening nerves that have built up.I stand in Mr.Polk’s office and tell him I heard about the open assistant manager position and would like to be considered for it.
He sits back in his desk chair, lifts his chin slightly, blinks at me.
And smiles.
“Well, what a pleasant surprise, Luke,” he says.
I hold my breath and wait for him to reject me with kindness.
He takes his glasses off and gestures at the empty chair on my side of his desk.“You’re on your break, so why don’t you stay a few minutes?I can’t promise you anything about the job right this moment, but let’s talk.”
That held breath wants to leave me in a rush of pleasant surprise of my own.
With my heart thumping in a different way from before, I exhale measuredly instead.Then I smile, too, as I sit.
“Yes, sir,” I say.“I’d like that.”
M A G G I E
On Christmas Eve morning, even while Luke and I listen toDie Hardon his TV and cook the few items we can make ahead of the meals we’ll be going to today and tomorrow, I’m still thinking fondly on yesterday.
Work was very busy, and my parents turned out to be among the guests.I knew they were getting to town yesterday, but I hadn’t been sure of when, so I was surprised into tears when they showed up under a cleverly vague reservation name.I was also thrilled to introduce them to Luke—albeit very quickly—because they wanted to sit in the bar area in order to look out at the patio.It touched my heart so much that they were in their beloved restaurant again, even though I wished it hadn’t been too cold for them to sit outside in their favorite spot.
And Luke….When he told me about his chat with Mr.Polk, his eyes were alight and his cheeks were slightly pink, and my heart was so happy for him.It had been a good talk, he said.We understood that it didn’t set anything in stone, but we were still pleased because Luke had been given a chance to explain why he’s interested in the job and voice some of his concerns, and our boss was as warm and easy to talk to as ever.Really, we thought we might’ve been a little goofy to entertain the idea of him flat-out telling Luke he wasn’t good enough.
I look over at Luke now.He’s alternating between glancing at the TV over the bar counter and mixing cake batter.
Still, like he can sense my attention, he slips a look over to me too.
I smile at him.
He smiles back.
I’m proud of him whether he gets the job or not.
I’m proud of him no matter what happens with his dad’s side of his family.
And I love that I can see he feels the same way about himself.
—
The festivities with our friends were chill and fun.
We all gathered at Paxton’s place and took turns playing video games after we exchanged gifts and ate the food everyone helped make.He gave Luke a good-natured hard time about still having no idea where the What Do You Meme?card game is, which had us laughing because it was true.When he and I searched his place this time, I helped instead of falling asleep in his big chair, but neither of us found that box.It really was funny to think about, because where could it have gone?We may never know.
Now he and I are sitting on his couch on Christmas morning, each of us excited for the other to open their present.I’ve warned him a couple of times that what I got for him isn’t anything expensive or spectacular, just something I thought he’d like, and he has warned me of the same.But that isn’t stopping either of us from hastening into this giftwrap, just like my cramping and general discomfort from starting my time of the month isn’t stopping me from being in a happy mood.
