CHAPTER SEVEN
A couple of days later, Misty waited for Susie to pick her up for lunch.
Though she’d made her comfortable at dinner at her house, they still didn’t know each other that well.
But Misty understood how important this was for Susie, and was excited to get to know her better.
She’d even imagined this is what it might be like for other young women—lunch with her mother.
Susie pulled up to the cabin in a blue SUV, and Misty went outside to greet her.
“Hello,” said Susie. “This is such a pretty area with these cabins lining the water. And you look very nice.”
“Thank you,” said Misty. The denim skirt and ruffled pink blouse were the fourth outfit she’d tried on.
She climbed into the car and buckled up.
“I thought we’d go to Chica’s for lunch. Mama Montoya is an old friend, and their food is delicious.”
“Mexican food sounds delicious,” said Misty, relieved she didn’t have to choose.
“You must be excited about school starting soon,” said Susie. “It’s always a bittersweet time, with summer ending.”
“I feel lucky to have the job. There will be some teacher training sessions, and then we begin. Soon after, we have the Labor Day holiday before we start again. That allows all of us to adjust to the new situation.”
“I remember those days,” said Susie, driving with confidence.
She swung into Chica's parking lot. Colorful plastic lanterns lined the perimeter of the lot, giving a sense of what the interior of the restaurant might be like.
Misty got out of the car and waited for Susie to join her.
“I haven’t been here in a long time,” said Misty. “But it smells the same. Delicious.”
Susie smiled. “The food is always incredible. And I like to give them my business.”
When they stepped inside, Mama Montoya, the owner, rushed up to them. “Susie, it’s wonderful to see you, my friend. How are you? I’ve been holding you in my prayers since sweet Lily passed.”
Misty watched the two women embrace. Mama Montoya had dark hair with streaks of gray. But her face was unlined, and her dark eyes revealed her emotions. Dressed in a colorful red skirt and a white blouse with flowers embroidered across the front, she looked the part of a hostess.
“When you called for a reservation, I put together a special little luncheon for you. Do you trust me?” Mama asked Susie.
“Do I trust you? When haven’t I?” said Susie with an easy smile.
Misty followed Mama and Susie to a booth and slid onto the red vinyl-covered bench seat facing Susie.
Mama studied her. “Such a lovely young woman. You remind me of my granddaughter, Pilar. So young and beautiful.” She placed a hand on Susie’s shoulder. “You be sure to ask how Susie helps our Mexican community.”
“Now, Mama, that’s not necessary,” said Susie.
“Oh, but it is,” said Mama, waving away Susie’s concern. “What can I get you to drink? How about a special margarita?”
Susie gave Misty a questioning look.
“That would be nice,” Misty said.
Susie said, “Make that two. This is a celebration of sorts. Me getting out in public again.”
The two older women smiled at one another.
“ Bueno ,” said Mama and left them.
Misty took a moment to look around the restaurant.
As the outdoor lanterns had indicated, the colorful interior had bright turquoise walls and traditional Mexican tile flooring.
A mural showed a woman dancing to music being played by a gentleman wearing a wide sombrero.
Red silk flowers sat in small glass vases at each table.
“I’ve known Mama since she opened this restaurant twenty-some years ago,” said Susie.
“What’s this about you helping the local Mexican community?” asked Misty.
“It’s nothing big. We use Mexican labor in our business, and I’ve taken the opportunity to help families get rooted here and elsewhere in this state.
It can seem overwhelming to some immigrants, especially with language barriers.
I’ve learned to speak some Spanish. Lily helped me before she got sick. ”
“That’s such a kind thing to do,” said Misty, realizing David’s generosity came from his mother’s example.
“People in Lilac Lake are very caring, for the most part. It’s a lesson Rod and I learned from Genie Wittner. She helped Rod and me when we needed it after we first started our business. And we aren’t the only ones she’s assisted,” said Susie.
“She’s been a blessing to my sister and me,” said Misty, reminding herself to visit GG. Grandmother to the Gilford women, GG loved to be part of their lives and those of their friends.
Their margaritas came.
“Here’s to a lovely day,” said Susie, raising her glass.
Misty held up her glass, flattered to be sharing time with Susie.
A waiter brought their food to them—an array of small plates that were placed on the table between them.
“Mama has made samples of her favorite dishes. I love this,” said Susie. “We can have a taste of a lot of different things.”
Misty looked at the food, wondering where to begin. It all looked delicious.
Mama came over to them. “For you, I do special samples. Enjoy.”
“We will,” said Susie. “Thanks so much.”
After eating a fish taco, a sample of a chicken and cheese enchilada, a taste of tamales, and some pozole (hominy soup), Misty was stuffed.
Growing up with Crystal, who was interested in cooking, she’d learned to eat a variety of foods early in her life and was a self-confessed foodie. She was delighted that Susie enjoyed food as much as she did.
Misty leaned back against the bench seat and sighed. “That was delicious. Thank you.”
“I’d forgotten how much food Mama likes to give her customers. These were just small samples,” said Susie.
Mama came over to them. “How was everything?”
“Delicious as usual,” said Susie.
“How about some coffee and churros?” said Mama.
Susie turned to Misty. “Are you game?”
Misty chuckled at the idea. “Sure. Why not? I won’t have to eat until tomorrow after all of this.”
While they waited for dessert to be brought to them, Susie continued to ask Misty questions about her teaching experience in Florida.
“Did you have several students whose first language wasn’t English?” Susie asked.
“Several. But children are quick to learn and can speak English fairly quickly at school. The problem was that many spoke only their native tongue at home, which can make it confusing.”
“I helped set up a program for adults to learn English in Concord. Our population in the state is slowly changing. Perhaps you can help in some way.”
“Maybe eventually,” said Misty. “I need to get established in my job here before I over-commit myself. I’m going to help out at the café for certain events. I’m just not sure how much time I’ll have outside of school.”
“That’s fair. If you find it’s something you might be interested in doing, just let me know.
” Susie smiled at her. “It’s satisfying for me to talk about things I used to do.
Rod has been after me to get out of the house and be active again.
Meeting you has been very helpful. You have the same sort of energy about you that Lily had. ”
“I’m flattered,” said Misty, not willing to tell Susie about her past trauma in Florida. She hoped Lily had never experienced anything like it.
Their dessert came, and though Misty had thought she might be too full to eat anything more, she dug in after the first bite of her churro, which was like a cinnamon doughnut.
When Susie asked for the check, the waiter shook his head firmly. “Mama says it’s all taken care of.”
Susie sighed. “Please thank her for me. I’ll be sure to send people her way.”
He bobbed his head and grinned when Susie handed him some folded-up bills for a tip.
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As they left the restaurant, Susie placed an arm around Misty and quickly let it drop when Misty stiffened and turned to her.
“I’m sorry,” said Misty. “I was surprised. It’s fine … I …”
“No problem,” said Susie. “I like you. I think you know that.”
“Yes, I do, and it makes me happy,” said Misty. “I realize no one can take the place of Lily, but I do want us to be friends.”
“Me, too,” said Susie, giving her a knowing look. “We haven’t mentioned David, but I’m sure he’d like the idea.”
Misty didn’t respond, and Susie seemed to understand and talked instead of the Labor Day holiday coming up.
As she climbed into Susie’s car, Misty’s mind spun. She liked the idea that she and Susie were forming a friendship that wasn’t all about David but was more about two women who wanted to support one another.