Page 54 of Just Add Friendship

“It’s a couple of miles,” Cal said. “These town houses are at the edge of the new development that surrounds the town.”

She slipped into the car, noting again how he kept things clean and organized. When he settled in the car next to her, Steph asked, “How long have you been neighbors with Diane’s family?”

Cal put the car into reverse. “Maybe a year? There are new transplants coming to Grandin, and they’re one of them.”

Steph settled into the coziness of the car, and they drove in silence until they neared town, and Cal began to narrate the different locations.

They slowed on Main Street and parked in front of the post office. “Come on, we’ll walk the rest of the way to the diner.”

“Is it still open this time of night?”

“Yeah,” he said.

Steph walked alongside him, wondering what it might have felt like to be teenaged Cal on the run. Not having a plan or knowing where he’d sleep or eat next. Soon the diner came into view. The large windows in front showed that it was nearly empty.

“The high school kids come to the place after sport games,” Cal said, “so that might be pretty soon.” He opened the door for Steph and ushered her in.

The first thing she noticed was the smell of hot food. The diner was spotless, with gleaming floors and scrubbed tables and booths. Framed black-and-white pictures of an older Grandin lined the walls above the booths.

A short, balding man came out of the kitchen and spotted Cal. “My man, you’re here.” The man’s hazel eyes zeroed in on Steph. “Who’s your lady?”

“Bruce, this is Steph,” Cal said. “We go way back to high school.”

Bruce’s bushy brows lifted. “You mean before you came here?”

“Yep.”

He wiped his hands on his black apron and shook Steph’s hand. “Great to meet you.”

She grasped his thick, sturdy hand. “You as well.”

Bruce nodded toward the row of booths. “Have a seat anywhere. The meal is on the house.”

“Oh, we’re not here to eat,” Cal said, then looked at Steph. “Unless you’re hungry?”

“No, I’m good.”

Cal nodded, then shifted his attention back to Bruce. “I’m showing Steph around the town, so we’re just stopping in.”

Bruce flashed a smile. “Want to see the back storage room where you used to sleep?”

“No,” he said at the same time Steph said, “Sure.”

Cal groaned. “It’s nothing like it was.”

Bruce smirked, motioning them to follow him. “It’s at least interesting … This way.”

Steph and Cal followed him past the kitchen area. Bruce stopped before a plain brown door and opened it, then tugged at an overhead string to turn on the dangling light bulb.

The small room, lined with metal shelves, contained bins and boxes of foodstuff. Even if everything was cleared out, there wouldn’t be much room for a mattress, especially for a tall teenager.

“This is it, huh?” Steph said, feeling huge in the small space.

“The harbor where I finally got my head in the right place.”

“That’s right, and we were happy to have you.” Bruce stepped back. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you change your minds about eating.”

“Thanks, man,” Cal said.

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