Page 21 of Ten Hours

“Okay, you’ve got me here. Now what?” I rub my hands together nervously under the table.

“Now, we eat.” He smiles at me, reaching over to a small caddy next to the wall that houses the menus along with a few condiments. Sliding one of the plastic menus in front of me, I’ve only just looked down when our waitress approaches.

“Now there’s a face I haven’t seen in a while.” I look up to see the middle aged woman’s gaze locked on Abel, a wide smile on her tired looking face.

“Hi, Claudia.” Abel returns her smile. “How have you been?”

“Oh you know.” She shrugs. “Living the life.” She gestures around the diner.

“I didn’t expect you to be here so late,” he tells her.

“Our third shift waitress called off.”

“You left Jack at home all alone?” There’s a hint of humor to his voice.

“Oh no, he’s here, too. Our cook called off also.”

“You really need to find more reliable staff. You know, you and Jack can’t run a twenty-four hour diner all by yourselves. You need to make time for other things, like, I don’t know,sleep.”

“I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” She waves her hand dismissively. “So, how’s that oldest brother of yours? Is he behaving himself in California?”

“You know Adam.” He chuckles. “He’s incapable of anything else.”

If I had to guess, I’d say I pick up a slight hint of resentment in his voice but his expression shows nothing of the sort. He seems comfortable and happy, exchanging polite conversation with someone who clearly knows him and at least one of his brothers.

“Is he still working on that research project of his? I haven’t talked to your mother in what feels like ages.”

“As far as I know.” Abel’s gaze slides to mine, causing the woman to look at me for the first time since approaching our table.

“Oh, how rude of me. Hi love, I’m Claudia, Abel’s aunt.” She extends her hand to me and I take it, giving it a light shake.

“Finley,” I reply, a little taken aback that Abel didn’t mention this was a family introduction.

“Finley. Such a pretty name.” Her eyes bounce back and forth between the two of us.

“I was telling Finley here how Jack has the best hamburgers in all of Chicago.”

“Is it that they’re the best or that they’re free?” His aunt gives him a knowing look.

“If I say both will you make me pay?” he jokes.

“What do you think?” She crosses her arms in front of herself, giving him a pointed look.

“In that case, we will take two burgers and two fries.” He grins up at her.

“And to drink?”

“Water for me,” he says before both sets of eyes come to me.

“Water is good for me as well.”

“Two waters, burgers, and fries. Coming right up.” She quickly turns and walks away without another word.

“You didn’t tell me your aunt works here. Does she own the place?” I take a guess based on the information I picked up from their conversation.

“She does. Well, Uncle Jack and her do.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever met an owner who actually works the floor,” I say.

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