Chapter 19
Justin
T he round table at the back of the Main Street Diner is nearly filled with guys close to my age.
Some are older, like Harvey and Galvin, while others are younger, like Nick.
Despite today’s crowd, there’s still one empty chair when I arrive.
As soon as I sit, Joyce, our favorite waitress and the owner of the diner, places a cup of black coffee in front of me. “What can I get you, Justin?”
I look around the table seeing that some of the other guys have food. “The morning platter. Over medium with sausage, potatoes, and an English muffin.”
She grins. “Coming right up.” Next, she points across the table to Cory who’s sitting with Dax, my brother-in-law. “Your food is up. I’ll be right back.” She addresses the entire table. “More coffee?”
Different people nod. Some hold up their cups.
This gathering is a weekday morning ritual.
There can be as many as ten squeezed around the table or as few as four.
No matter who shows, we know we’ll have a few minutes of downtime and conversation with friends.
As I lift my coffee to my lips, I listen to Ricky talking about the summer softball season.
I hate to admit it, but we’ve gotten better since my brother-in-law came back to town.
Of course, I’d deny that statement to most of my friends.
“First game is tonight,” Ricky says.
My stomach drops.
I woke to a text from Devan saying her plan is in motion and to be at her house by six for dinner. “Fuck,” I growl. “I forgot.”
“Like you have plans…” Ricky says.
“Maybe he has a date,” Cory says nonchalantly.
“I just forgot. I might not be able to make it.”
“It doesn’t start until eight thirty,” Dax chimes in. “We’re the late game.”
“Oh yeah,” I say, “I can make the late game.”
Ricky looks at me funny, or I imagine he does.
By the time my food arrives, we’re talking smack about the team from Mitchell. If our predictions go as mapped out, Cory will pitch a no-hitter, and we’re going to smoke those guys so badly that the game will end mercy rule.
“Don’t forget to wear your orange Riverbend shirt.” Nick turns to me. “If it’s still stuffed in your ball bag since the end of last season, do us all a favor and wash it.”
Everyone laughs, including me. Yes, I’ve been known to do that. It is usually only one week but the stink factor is strong. “Hey,” I say, “that’s my secret weapon. Stink the other team out.”
Keeping my eye on Ricky, I try to sense if anything is off. I’m being paranoid, but the truth is that I had a great time with Devan last night. I did take a long, cold shower when I got home, but that doesn’t lessen the enjoyment for the evening. I’m nervous about how dinner will go tonight.
It doesn’t seem as though he even knows I’ve been invited.
I don’t say anything about it because Devan said she has a plan.
“See you tonight,” Dax says, standing. He’s the first to leave.
Since he’s wearing a dress suit and pants, it means he’ll be spending the day doing legal or title work.
Cory too, is dressed nice for work, heading to the middle school, despite the students being out for the summer.
Nick is wearing a shirt with his name over the pocket.
Harvey, Ricky, and I are in jeans and t-shirts, looking as if we have a day of hard labor in our future.
Soon, the table is down to Cory and me. Being the last to arrive, I’m still finishing my breakfast. “I’m good,” I say with a smirk and another bite of potatoes. “You don’t need to wait for me. After this, I’m headed to Terre Haute to pick up some hybrid seed.”
Cory nods, picks up his cup of coffee, and before taking another drink, peers toward the door.
Once the last two guys to get up from the table leave the diner, filling the air with the ringing of the bell over the door, Cory sets his cup down.
“I don’t know what your plans are,” he says softly, “but unless you want Ricky to take you down, be more careful.”
I lower my fork to my plate.
My appetite disappears with Cory’s warning.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, despite the fact I know what he’s saying.
“Last night after the kids went to sleep, I went over to the school to grab something I forgot.” He lifts his eyebrows. “Ringing any bells?”
“Is there some rule against teachers on school grounds after hours?” The small hairs on the back of my neck are standing on end.
“No, teachers can be there. It’s frowned upon for them to be making out in the parking lot.”
My tone lowers to a growl. “If there’s a problem, bring it to me. Devan didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I am, Justin. Shit, I don’t care what my teachers do in their private time as long as it’s legal. Just do it in private. Not in the school parking lot.”
That makes me wonder about the guy Devan is replacing. Before I can ask, Cory goes on.
“I don’t want parents to complain, and if they saw what I saw last night, they would.”
“I fucking kissed her goodbye.” It was hardly an X-rated moment.
“She’s new, and new teachers have to prove themselves, even Riverbend RTSers.”
“She will,” I say, my need to defend Devan fueling my words. “You should see her classroom. One kiss shouldn’t sway anyone’s opinion. Let her work do that.”
“What about her age?” he asks.
“She’s legal.” I use his own word.
Cory sits back and shakes his head. “Does Ricky know?”
“We’re telling him tonight.”
Cory snorts and tips his face down. “Well, there goes our team unity.”
“I forgot about the game. Devan has a plan, and it includes me going to dinner at the Dunns’ home tonight.”
“Well, if you show up tonight with a shiner, I’ll know where it came from—or who.”
“ARE YOU STILL EXPECTING ME?”
I ask in a text to Devan later in the day as I head toward my house. I have an hour to clean up. Waiting for her response makes me realize how Cory’s confrontation this morning has fucked with me.
I thought our only obstacles would be Jack and Ricky. Maybe I didn’t think the whole thing through enough.
‘What about her age?’ His question has been eating at me all day.
What the fuck difference does it make about her age or mine?
My phone dings as I step onto the porch. The text is from Devan.
“YES. COME BY A LITTLE BEFORE SIX. MOM SAID DINNER IS EARLIER BECAUSE RICKY HAS A GAME. ARE YOU GOING TO PLAY?”
I text back, her question reminding me of my orange shirt.
“I FORGOT ABOUT IT UNTIL THIS MORNING AT brEAKFAST. IF RICKY DOESN’T KILL ME FIRST, I’LL PLAY.”
She responds with a heart and then a text message.
“I WILL PLAN ON WATCHING.”
Fuck.
I wipe my palm over my face as I enter the kitchen, my thoughts torn between wanting to make things official and ready to hide us forever from judgy people—like the entire population of Riverbend.
“Justin,” Mom says as I turn to go up the back stairs.
“Hey, Mom.” I furrow my brow. “Do you remember seeing my softball shirt?”
“Not for a couple weeks.”
“Tonight is the first game of the new season. I’m worried it’s in the bottom of my bag.”
“Oh Lord. If it is, it may be beyond repair.”
I scoff. “Thanks for the support.”
“What time is the game? I could wash it. You better check.”
Standing on the bottom step, I meet my mom’s gaze. “Where’s Dad?”
“Today is Thursday. After working, he went to Washington to bowl.”
Yeah. I forgot.
To say I’ve been distracted would be an understatement.
“Honey,” Mom asks, “is everything all right? I mean about more than your shirt.”
Letting out a breath, I step back down to the kitchen floor. “What if I told you something about me?”
Mom pulls out a chair at the table and sits. “Justin Mathew, there is nothing you can tell me that will make me love you less.”
“It’s not that big,” I say as I take the seat at the end of the table. “In a way, it might be…”
She lays her hand on the table toward me. “What is it?”
I shrug. “I’m dating someone.”
Mom’s eyes open wide. “You are? Do I know this person?”
“Kind of. She just moved back to Riverbend.”
Mom’s smile broadens. “Do you like her?”
“I do.”
“Does she like you?”
“I think she does. I asked her last night to be exclusive.”
“And she isn’t ready for that?” Mom asks with her forehead furrowed.
“No, she said yes. I guess I’m worried. I don’t want the fact she’s dating me to fuck up her job or anything.” Opening my eyes wide, I add, “Sorry.”
“I’ve heard the word fuck before. What would make you think that dating you would be an issue with her job. What does she do?”
“She’s a teacher. The new seventh-grade science teacher.”
Mom tilts her head. “I thought little Devan Dunn was hired for that position—” Her eyes widen to the size of saucers. “Devan Dunn?”
I nod.
“Oh, Justin. What about Ricky?”
“He doesn’t know yet. He will. Devan has a plan to tell her family tonight.”
“I still don’t understand how dating you and Devan’s job are connected.”
For the next few minutes, I recount my earlier conversation with Cory. “Do you think our age difference is too much? Will parents of her students judge her?”
My mom smiles as she leans back against the chair. “The fact that you’re concerned about her and how people will perceive your relationship tells me all I need to know. You care about her.”
“I do.”
“What is your gut telling you?” Mom asks.
“To suck it up, go over to the Dunns’, and take whatever Ricky and Jack want to give me.”
“And at the game tonight?”
“I want to hold her hand and kiss her lips. I want the world to know she’s mine.”
“Because that makes you special?”
I think about her question. “No, because she is special.”
Mom’s grin returns. “Justin, people will judge. It’s wrong and goes against what we’ve been taught, but it’s human nature. I’m sure that despite giving Devan the job, Cory sees her as Ricky’s little sister. You don’t. Your view will either change others’ views or their views won’t matter.”
“What if they matter to Devan?”
“I think that’s a conversation for the two of you to discuss.”
“What about you?” I ask.
“Me. I want nothing more in life than for my children to be happy. If Devan is your person, your one…then I’m thrilled you found one another.”
Sighing, I push the chair back with my feet and stand. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Justin, tell Devan I said I’m happy, and I hope to get to know her.”
“I will.”