3. Heath
One thing’s for certain—Gabby is avoiding me. I’ve been home for three months, and every time I stop by the diner, she is too busy to take my order, or hiding in the back. Ms. Daisy shakes her head and pats my hand. “Give her time,” she says.
Time? Time for what? She can’t seriously be this upset still. Can she?
I’ve considered just driving to her house and trying to see her, but that seems like crossing a line. I’m not a stalker, just a man hoping to reconnect with an old . . . friend. So, I’ll settle for eating at the diner once a week in hopes that she will stop avoiding me.
I give up on my burger and fries when I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Mom was resting this afternoon, so I figured I’d try—again—to get Gabby to talk to me.
Sliding my thumb across the screensaver of Zade smiling in front of the Wallaroo exhibit at the Louisville Zoo, I press the app notification that shows I’ve got a text.
Evan:Karlee’s going to the Curly Pig with her friends tonight. Want to hang out?
Heath:Sure. You tell me when and where.
I close the text app and shove the phone back in my pocket. Picking up the check Patty left by my plate, I head to the hostess stand to pay for my lunch.
“Looking good, Ms. Daisy. I swear you haven’t aged a bit since I left here.” I wink at her. Ms. Daisy’s been in this town longer than most of us have been alive. She’s a central figure in Piney Brook. Most people consider her family—not by blood, but love.
“I see you’re just as much a charmer as ever,” she says, handing me my change, which I drop in the tip jar. “You know, some hurts never heal. Some do. Either way, it takes time, and a bit of trust.” She nods her head and smiles.
“Thanks for the advice, Ms. Daisy, but I’m not the one who has trouble with trust,” I say, tipping my head to her. “Oh, and thanks for lunch.”
“Don’t be a stranger, now,” Patty calls out.
As I walk out, I glance to where Gabby is standing at another table, taking their order. Her pen freezes on her pad, and she goes stiff as a board. Why’s that? I’d like to think it’s because she’s still as affected by me as I am by her. Especially since Mom told me Gabby hasn’t dated in over a year.
A few hours later, I’m sitting across from Evan at the Curly Pig. I shake my head as the waitress drops off another Coke and a basket of fries. “Really?” I ask, sitting back in my chair and looking around. “Isn’t this weird?”
Evan shakes his head. “I can’t help it—the Curly Pig is the only place to go out in this town.” He shrugs. “Besides, she’s on the other side of the room with her friends. I’m not bothering her.”
I glance around again at Karlee chatting with the other women I met the last time we went out. Right after I came home. That was a mistake. I somehow thought going out and having a few beers would help it not sting so much that Gabby wouldn’t give me the time of day. Turns out, all it did was irritate Evan, and leave me with a headache the next day. No thanks.
“All right, but I’m eating some of these fries.” I put some on the little plate the waitress left, and squeeze ketchup over the top, then I pop one into my mouth.
“That’s gross,” Evan says, staring at the plate of drenched fries in disgust. “Who eats their fries like that?”
I laugh and snag another fry. “Good thing you didn’t enlist. The food they give you . . . let’s just say it’s not the best looking.”
He shudders before dipping a fry into a puddle of ketchup. “Again, gross.”
Thankfully, our table faces the wall of TVs, and the Outlaws game is on. “Think they have a shot at the series?”
Evan grins. “I think it’s a real possibility. The new pitcher they have is doing great things this season.”
When the game ends, I finish the rest of my Coke and throw some money on the table. “I’m going to head out. I’ve got a job interview tomorrow.”
Evan nods his head. “That construction company in Lost Creek?”
“Yeah, I enjoyed working construction in the Army, and I can’t imagine working a desk job and being stuck inside all day. I’ve already run out of things to do at Mom’s house. I’m going stir crazy sitting still.”
“I feel that,” Evan says, tossing money onto the table. “I’m headed out too.”
“You’re not going to go over and tell Karlee bye?”
Evan grins and tucks his phone into his pocket. “No, I texted her. I don’t want to interrupt her night.”
I’m surprised. Since Evan and Karlee agreed to be a thing last month, they’ve been nearly inseparable. “Wow, that’s mature,” I say, as we head for the door.
“I’m learning,” he says. “Thanks for hanging out tonight. It’s been too long.”
I nod in agreement. “Yeah, but it’s life, right?”
Evan stops when we reach my truck. “It’s weird. Before Karlee, I didn’t mind doing my own thing at home alone. Now, though . . . it seems weird to not be having dinner with her, ya know?”
I shake my head. “Nah, can’t say that I do. I’m happy for you, though. Karlee’s a great girl.”
“I guess you haven’t had much time to date since you’ve been home, have you?” Evan asks. “How’s your mom feeling now?”
“Better. She’s slowly regaining her strength, and her hair is starting to grow back. It’s crazy soft, and a bit curly.” I laugh. “She said she’s always wanted curly hair. Maybe now she’ll have it.”
Evan chuckles. “That sounds like the Rosie I know.”
Opening my truck door, I slide inside and turn the key. “Thanks for the fries, and the company.”
Evan steps away from the truck. “Good luck tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” I call before closing the door and putting the truck in reverse. With Mom doing better, it’s time to settle in and decide if I’m staying in Piney Brook, or finding a new place to put down roots.
If I stay in Piney Brook, I know that would make Mom happy. She’s not asked me directly what my plans are, but she’s made it clear she hopes I’ll stay. Piney Brook has always been where I saw myself growing old. Of course, I always imagined a certain blonde-haired beauty beside me. Now, though, I wonder if it wouldn’t be better to move on. Being in the same town as Gabby and not being able to speak to her . . . that hurts.
The door creaks when I push it open. I hold my breath, hoping I didn’t wake Mom up. She’s taken to sleeping in the recliner lately.
“Heath, is that you?” Her tired voice almost brings me to my knees.
“Yeah, Ma. It’s me,” I call quietly. I slip my shoes off and put them in the cubby by the door. “How are you feeling?” I ask, turning on the low-light lamp in the corner of the living room. “Need anything?”
Mom shakes her head no, but points to the couch. “Sit with me a while?” she asks.
I sink down into the sofa cushions. “Of course,” I say, resting my feet on the coffee table in front of me. I close my eyes and let the moments pass quietly.
“I haven’t heard you say anything about Gabby since you’ve been back. Do you two talk when you’re up at the diner?” Mom asks, breaking the silence.
“No, and I don’t expect to. It’s been five years. Why would she talk to me now?” I don’t mention that every time I step foot in Beats and Eats, I hope this will be the time she acknowledges me.
“I know. Give her some time. Maybe now that you’re home for good,” Mom says, giving me a pointed look, “she’ll come around.”
“It’s been five years, Mom. Things change. People change.”
I sigh. It’s been a long time since Mom brought up Gabby. After she blocked me everywhere, I sent her a letter explaining the mess with Olivia. I may have decided we should break up, but I didn’t want her to think I’d cheated on her.
When I didn’t hear back from her, I asked Mom to make sure she knew the whole story. After that, the ball was in her court. I had to leave her be. I’d been the one to break things off, so I didn’t feel like I had the right to push her. I still don’t. But I miss having her in my life. If we could just talk again, be friends—even sort of friends—I’d be happy. Well, happier anyway.