Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Current Day
The walk to The Honeysuckle Cafe was about an hour and there were no footpaths, so Matilda caught an Uber there. Set in the heart of Covington, the place was clearly an institution. Locals thronged to buy coffee, pastries, burgers and fries, or to sit in the vine-covered enclosed patio to eat a meal.
The cafe was almost full, but Matilda managed to find a single table where she could sit. She set up her laptop and pulled up the US immigration website while a young woman with a guitar sang folk songs quietly in the background. She was mining for information on visas. Surely, she could find some way to stay in the country. She had six months on her current visa but couldn’t work. And she’d have to find some kind of job if she was going to stay much longer, or she’d use up all her savings and put herself in a bind.
“Matilda, honey! It’s good to see you again. Can I get you something?” Rita was dressed in a cornflower blue apron over a white shirt and jeans. She had a cornflower blue ribbon tied up in her hair, and the colour matched her eyes perfectly.
“I’d love a burger with fries and a cherry coke please.”
“Coming right up. And I’ll join you. I haven’t eaten a thing all day.”
After her order was ready, Rita sat at the table and ate a chicken caesar salad while Matilda enjoyed her delicious hamburger.
“I don’t know what sauce you use on these, but I can’t get enough,” she said around a mouthful.
Rita nodded. “Family secret.”
Matilda liked the idea of a family’s secret recipe, especially when she might be part of that family. But was she? No matter what Rita said, Matilda couldn’t shake the feeling that she was connected to this family. The more time that passed, the harder it was to deny. It felt strange to have such an intimate tie to someone she barely knew. But it also felt good. She could see the similarities between herself and Rita the more she got to know her. They shared mannerisms, a nose and even had the same posture. Likely, Rita’s hair had been blonde when she was younger, now it was a sandy grey colour. And her eyes were blue, just like Matilda’s. Rita might deny it, but they were related. She was sure of it.
“What are you working on?” Rita asked.
Matilda had put the laptop away in her bag. She waved a hand towards it. “Oh, I was looking up immigration visas. I thought I might try to find some work so I don’t empty my bank account while I’m here.”
“How long will you stay?”
“I don’t know. I’d like to get to know you and the rest of the family a little bit. I really do think there’s a connection between us. I know you aren’t sure about it, but it’s got to be you. You’re Tyler’s mother. And I can see a family resemblance. Don’t you think?”
“You may be right about that, honey.”
“So, I thought I might stay for a while, see how I go. But I need to be able to make some money.” She felt shy, vulnerable opening up that way.
“I’m so glad you’re stayin’. I’d love to spend more time together. Lord knows, I’m not likely to ever fly all the way to Australia.” She cackled loudly. “That flight is far too long for these old bones. And I’ve never left the country before.”
Matilda couldn’t argue with that. The flight had been awful, and she was dreading the return trip. “I don’t blame you. It’s about twenty-four hours of travel. It wreaks havoc on your REM cycle.”
“I’ll bet it does. I might have a solution for you, though. Why don’t you work here at the cafe? We’re always looking for waiters and kitchen staff. You could help me out and I could pay you. It’s a win, win.”
“Really? Wow, that would be amazing. Although, I don’t have a work visa yet.”
“Oh pish, we can figure that-all out. In the meantime, I’ll bet you could get a social security card over at the office across town. They’re not real picky about the details. And I can pay you in cash, you just report that income when you’re set up with your number.”
“That would work. Thank you so much, Rita. I really appreciate it. And I’ll have to find a place to stay as well. The Bed and Breakfast is too expensive long term.”
“You can stay with me, honey. That’s if you don’t mind being in close quarters. I don’t want to make you feel as though you have to say yes. It’s up to you, and I won’t be offended if you’d rather not.”
“I would love that. It would be a godsend. You have no idea. Wow, thank you again. I’ll pay rent.”
“Never mind. We can figure those details once you’re all moved in. Maybe you can help me keep the place going. I haven’t been up to doing much physical labor lately.”
“I’m happy to help in any way I can.”
“Good, it’s settled.”
They ate in silence for a few moments, but Matilda had been dying to ask about the rest of the family. She still didn’t quite know how she fit in, but she wanted to find out all about each of them. Who were they? What did they do? Where was she connected? All she knew was that Rita’s son was her cousin, which meant that Rita was her aunt. But how that was possible, they still hadn’t figured out.
“Can you tell me about your sister?”
Rita hesitated. “She died a while back. Her heart.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.” Matilda’s stomach fell.
“She had a rough trot for a while there. But I’m hoping you’ll get a chance to meet Julie, her daughter. She’s away at college right now in Athens. Attends the University of Georgia. Gooooo Dawgs!” Rita’s eyes lit up, and she shouted the last two words.
“Sic ‘em. Woof, woof!” The crowd in the cafe erupted in response, their chant in unison.
Rita chuckled, and Matilda gazed around in awe, enjoying the spontaneous camaraderie of the locals.
“What was that?” she asked, laughing.
“The Bulldogs are the college football team. We take our college football seriously ‘round here.”
Matilda shook her head. “Wow, I love that. I can’t wait to meet Julie. And what about Tyler and Sophie?”
“As I said, Tyler’s in the army. Last I spoke to him, he was in Germany. But he’s due back stateside in a couple of months. If you’re still around, you might could meet him then. Sophie’s busy in Colorado. She doesn’t get back here real often.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting Tyler.”
“He won’t know anything, mind you.”
“What do you mean?”
“About your connection. He won’t be able to answer any questions, because he doesn’t know. I’m still not sure why he loaded his DNA onto that website. But I’m sure he had his reasons.”
“Who would know? I need to find out how I’m connected to your family.”
“I would be the most likely person to know how that works. And I ain’t got a clue.” She scratched her head. “That’s the darnedest thing I ever heard. And I’m still in shock over it.”
“I’m with you on that one,” Matilda replied. “But I’m glad we can be in shock together. At least I’m not alone in it any longer.”