Page 85 of Save the Drama for your Mama
Cooper checked his watch. “Just after eight.”
“Huh, that’s weird,” I said, looking around. “Listen . . .”
He turned his head to the side, squishing his eyebrows together, trying to pay close attention. “I don’t hear anything. Just the birds in the backyard.”
“That’s my point,” I said. “Where is everybody? Chip and the crew should have already started working.”
“I was thinking the same thing a few minutes ago,” Cooper replied. “Maybe Chip has been trying to get a hold of you. Your phone has been vibrating more than my apartment in San Francisco.”
“Why does your apartment vibrate?” I asked.
“I live right next to train tracks. Amtrak comes by at all hours and shakes the building,” Cooper said.
Just then, my cell phone buzzed again on the counter.
“Okay, I should check to see if that’s Chip,” I said. “Maybe there’s an issue with something and that’s why they’re not here yet.”
Cooper gestured down the hallway. “AndI’ll use the restroom while you do that.”
I walked over to the kitchen counter and grabbed my phone. I had two missed calls and a text message, all from Chip.
Something was going on.
Hopefully, everything was okay.
Chip:I tried calling you. Me and the crew went out drinking last night, then ate way too many gas station nachos. Big mistake! We all got wicked sick, and nobody’s coming into work today. That means you get the day off. I’ll hit you up later tonight to let you know if we’re back in action tomorrow. Food poisoning sucks Donkey Kong.
Me:No problem. Sorry to hear you all got sick. Feel better soon!
I relayed the news to Cooper after he came back from the bathroom.
“That explains why it’s so quiet around here,” he said. “What are you going to do with your day off?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea.”
“I wish I could hang out with you, but I need to keep writing,” Cooper said. “You in the mood for some cheesy eggs, toast, and coffee?”
“Is that a legitimate offer?”
“I never joke about food,” he said.
“Cooking for me again?” I said with a smile. “This is getting serious.”
Cooper grinned. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
I loved his playfulness and confidence.
I also loved the way he was looking at me.
A girl could get used to that.
Twenty minutes later, we were sharing breakfast. I might add, a breakfast that was fabulous. Although, I’m sure the company helped.
After breakfast, Cooper and I strolled over to the cemetery next door. He mentioned he still needed to tell Alfredo he knew about James, and that he had met his birth father in person.
As we entered the cemetery grounds, we spotted Alfredo ahead, bending down near one of the tombstones. He removed some wilting flowers from a vase and tossed them into a bucket in his golf cart. A warm smile crossed his weathered face when he spotted us.
“Good morning!” he called out.
