Page 36 of Rules Of Engagement: St. Louis
I walked away, pushing through the coffee shop door and out into the crisp September air. My hands were shaking, and I realized I was angrier than I’d thought. Not just at Gerald, but at myself for giving in to his manipulation one more time.
I stood on the sidewalk, breathing deeply, trying to calm my nerves. This was why I had rules. This was why I kept things simple and uncomplicated. Because the moment you let someone matter, they started making their problems your problems.
I left on my bike and rode hard, letting the wind fly by me at top speed. My thoughts tried to wrestle me down about my encounter with Gerald, but I let those thoughts fly away in the wind as I pedaled.
I rotated the wheels home so I could shower and get ready for lunch with Journey.
Chapter
Seven
NAOMI
The bellabove the door chimed as I stepped into Mel’s Diner. It was a windy September day, but inside the diner, the atmosphere was warm and cozy. Chrome fixtures and vinyl accessories transformed the diner into an era that pulled you back to the seventies. I loved this place for that reason, and they served the best peach cobbler in St. Louis.
I spotted Journey and Frankie immediately in our usual booth by the window, their animated conversation audible even over the clatter of plates and the hiss of the grill. Journey’s natural hair was pulled back in a colorful headwrap that complemented her dark purple sweater, while Frankie’s short-cropped hair cut was fresh from the salon.
“My girl!” Frankie gestured to me as I approached, standing to pull me into one of her church hugs. “Girl, you look like you’ve been putting in work. That cycling is giving you serious athlete vibes.”
I’d changed out of my bike clothes into dark jeans and a cream cashmere sweater, but apparently, I still had the post-workout glow. “I did thirty miles this morning.”
“Thirty miles?” Journey shook her head as I slid into the booth across from them. “Meanwhile, I pulled a muscle reaching for the remote last night.”
“That’s because you need to get your behind up and move,” Frankie said, sliding back into her seat. “I keep telling you, come to my Zumba class. We’ll get you right.”
“Chile, please. Zumba and I do not mix. Remember what happened when you dragged me to that spin class?”
I laughed, remembering Journey’s dramatic retelling of that particular disaster. “Didn’t you fall off the bike?”
“I didn’t fall off. I gracefully dismounted when it became clear that the bike and I had philosophical differences about what constituted appropriate speed.”
“She lasted twelve minutes,” Frankie added with a grin. “Twelve minutes, and then she was in the lobby drinking orange juice and reading a magazine.”
The waitress, Trisha, who’d been working here since before any of us were born, appeared with a coffee pot and her no-nonsense attitude. “The usual, ladies?”
We nodded in unison. Trisha had our orders memorized: chicken and waffles for Frankie, a veggie omelet for Journey, and a Greek salad for me. She poured coffee all around without being asked and disappeared back toward the kitchen.
“So,” I said, wrapping my hands around my mug, “what’s this mysterious news that couldn’t wait?”
Journey’s face lit up. She clasped her hands together and took a deep breath. “Okay, you know how I’ve been teaching fourth grade at Donaldson Elementary for the past eight years?”
“Since you graduated,” Frankie confirmed. “Best teacher those kids ever had, even if you are too soft on them sometimes.”
“I am not too soft. I’m nurturing. There’s a difference.” Journey waved her hand dismissively. “Anyway, you know howI’ve always talked about wanting to make a bigger impact. Maybe move into administration or curriculum development?”
I nodded. Journey had been saying for years that she wanted to do more than just teach—she wanted to help shape educational policy, create programs that would benefit kids throughout the district.
“Well, last month I applied for a position with the district office. Curriculum specialist for elementary literacy programs.” Journey’s voice was getting higher with excitement. “I didn’t tell you all because I didn’t want to jinx it, and honestly, I didn’t think I had a real shot. They had over two hundred applicants.”
“Journey Peterson, if you don’t get to the point,” Frankie threatened, pointing her fork in Journey’s direction.
“They offered me the job!” Journey practically bounced in her seat. “I got the call Friday morning. I start in May, which gives me time to finish out the semester with my kids and transition properly.”
“Oh my God!” I reached across the table to grab her hands. “Journey, that’s wonderful! Congratulations!”
Frankie let out a whoop that turned heads throughout the diner. “That’s my girl! I knew those fools would recognize talent when they saw it.”
“It’s a significant pay increase too,” Journey continued, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “Enough that I can start saving for a house. A real house with a yard and everything.”
