Steph smiled. “Any reason why I shouldn’t hire you?”
Nora gave her a smile back. “Absolutely none.”
“When can you start?”
One of the waitresses popped her head in the door. “Hey Steph, who’s covering my shift this afternoon?”
Steph gave the waitress a blank look. “Where are you going?”
“Doctor’s appointment, remember?”
“I really need to get organized,” Steph mumbled. Shaking her head, she let out a tight laugh. “Go on to your appointment, we’ll figure it out.”
“I could put in some time before I have to get my nephew,” Nora offered. She could get her feet wet and pick up a few hours of pay.
“Welcome to On The Rocks,” Steph said, extending her hand.
An hour and a half later, Nora had memorized the full menu and was holding her own with the other waitresses. She liked the employees at OTR. They called themselves misfits, but they seemed to be a tightknit group who had each other’s backs. She was also enjoying chitchatting with the customers. The only drawback, she thought, as she placed another order for a cheeseburger and fries, was that she had to serve meat. And the place sold a lot of burgers.
Everyone has the right to make their own choice, she reminded herself. Just because she was a vegan, it didn’t mean everyone else had to be. She mentally walked through the Zen stuff she listened to while she jogged. Allow others to be that which they are. Practice acceptance. And her favorite Dalai Lama quote: “Don’t let the behaviors of others destroy your inner peace.”
But the reminders did little to lessen her growing agitation.
She was open-minded about most things, but not animals. She was passionate in her conviction that animals were beautiful souls who had the right to live their lives in peace.
Annoyance flared again when she took the next order for a Philly cheesesteak. She tamped down her irritation, even knowing it was a bad idea. She should take a break instead, maybe jog around the building. Inevitably, after she’d buried enough negative emotion, it would simmer, heat, and rise until it eventually erupted like a vengeful volcano.
But this was her job, and her and Ben’s livelihood, so she wouldn’t let it happen here.
She told herself that through the next two food deliveries, even as irritation spiked and gurgled in her stomach. When she picked up the next order—a double-cheeseburger with fries—she glowered at the plate, thinking about the poor cow who had been killed so the yahoo at Table 5 could gorge on beef. Had it been a mama cow who had been tragically taken from her family and sent to slaughter? Or perhaps the cow had been born and lived his entire life in a factory, in conditions so grim that an icy chill ran up her spine.
Snatching the plate, she told herself she could do it.
Only she couldn’t.
She wasn’t a fraud, nor was she a good actress. As she marched toward Table 5, her blood boiled and the lava inside her could no longer be suppressed. By the time she reached the table, a red hot burning sensation churned in her gut. She slammed the plate down in front of the bearded man and slapped a hand on her hip. “You know a cow was murdered so you could eat this burger.”
The man gaped at her wide-eyed.
“Enjoy,” she barked. “If you can.”
All eyes were on her as she stalked back to the bar. Along the way, an unwelcome heat crept into her cheeks as embarrassment coursed through her. She allowed herself a slight sense of satisfaction for letting her authentic self shine through and for being the voice for poor, innocent creatures. But in her zeal to defend the cow, she hadn’t taken time to think through the consequences. She would either have to quit or she’d be fired. And, damn it, she needed this job.
When she reached the bar, she removed her apron and handed it to Steph. “I’m sorry. I really wanted this job, but I’m not sure I can do it.”
Steph gave her a look that was more understanding than she deserved. “Don’t go anywhere,” Steph said, patting a bar stool, then she waved Jenna over. “Pour Nora a Coke, okay? She’s on break.”
On break? What was going on, Nora wondered, as Steph made her way to Table 5. Why hadn’t Steph fired her? Maybe Steph wanted to chastise her in private after she conversed with the man Nora had just accosted.
As Steph chatted with the man at Table 5, reality poked at Nora. She pressed two fingers to her temple. What was wrong with her? She’d seen people eat meat. Ella sometimes ate fish, and Ben’s best friend ate all kinds of meat.
She glanced up when Jenna delivered her soda. “Thanks,” she managed, then put her head in her hands. She really needed this job.
Jenna pulled her hands away from her face and made eye contact with her. “Hang in there,” she said with a smile. “Steph’s understanding.”
Nora returned Jenna’s smile, even though disappointment swam in her veins. “Thanks.” Throughout the day, Nora had watched Steph nurture and encourage her employees like a loving mother. It was a foreign concept, but one she could quickly get used to. Except now she wouldn’t have the opportunity. Frustration whipped around in her belly as she took a gulp of her Coke. The fizzy drink settled her insides and gave her a slight lift.
An elderly woman shuffled up to the bar and sat next to her.
“Hi, Maggie.” Jenna greeted. “What can I get you?”
“How about an El Presidente?” The older woman looked as though the sand in her hourglass was almost gone with her heavily wrinkled face and frail body. But her voice was spirited and the gleam in her eye indicated she still had plenty of spunk left.
Jenna huffed. “Do you look stuff up just to give me a hard time?”
The elderly woman grinned. “I just need a change of pace.” She brushed back a strand of silver hair. “You gonna make it or not?”
“Bartending sucks,” Jenna muttered. She grabbed her cell phone and tapped the screen, presumably looking up the ingredients of an El Presidente.
Nora rose and slipped behind the bar. “May I?”
Jenna gawked at her, then gestured toward the glasses. “Be my guest.”
Nora searched for the right ingredients, then poured just the right amount of rum, lime juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine into a tumbler. She mixed it up, transferred it to a tall glass, and garnished it with pineapple, lime, and orange. After adding a straw and an umbrella, she slid it across the bar.
Maggie took a sip, then lifted her glass. “Now this is a real drink.”
Jenna pointed a finger at Nora. “You have bartending experience!”
Nora laughed at the accusatory tone in Jenna’s statement. “I bartended my way through community college.”
Steph returned and sat on a bar stool next to Maggie.
“Can Nora and I trade jobs?” Jenna asked, leaning across the bar toward Steph. “I wanna go back to waitressing more than I want a hot date.” She flashed a grin, then waved a hand toward Nora. “And she’s a bartender.”
Maggie took a noisy slurp of her drink. “Amen to that!”
It was nice of Jenna to make the suggestion, but surely Steph would decline considering Nora had just waylaid one of the customers.
“Why didn’t you tell me you had bartending experience?” Steph asked her. Nora had expected Steph to be mad, but her tone was nothing but kind.
“You advertised for a waitress.” Nora lifted a shoulder. “I didn’t think it was applicable.”
Steph let out a dry laugh. “I advertised for a waitress ‘cause I thought it would be easier to find a waitress than a bartender.”
“Yeah, so she stuck me back here.” Jenna theatrically lifted her hands in the air. “With no bartending experience.”
Steph turned to Nora. “How about we make you the bartender slash office helper and we’ll let Jenna go back to waitressing?”
Nora had fully expected to get fired. Instead, Steph was offering her the chance to bartend, which she enjoyed, and to do office work, which she loved. Relieved, she nodded in agreement. “Deal. Thanks for bein
g so kind.” She glanced to her right at Jenna, then behind the kitchen counter at Hud. All of the OTR employees had supported her today.
“Kindness is a choice,” Steph said. “We choose to practice it here.”
Nora had never thought about it like that, but it made sense. She made a vow to choose kindness too, so she could contribute to the positive energy.
“Besides, I understand your outlook.” Steph put a hand over Nora’s. “I’m a vegetarian.”
Nothing Steph could have said would have surprised Nora more. She’d felt inexplicably drawn to Steph from the moment she had met her. This explained some of it. But if Steph was a vegetarian, why did she serve burgers and meat-based dishes? Perplexed, Nora lifted her gaze to Steph’s. “Really? But—”
“I serve meat and meatless dishes so I can cater to all of my customer’s requests.” Steph ran a hand down her wavy, shoulder length hair. “I understand your perspective even though I became a vegetarian for different reasons.” An intense emotion flashed through Steph’s bright blue eyes, but it came and went so quickly that Nora couldn’t decipher it.
Steph rose. “Let me show you around before you have to leave.” Moving behind the bar, she called out to the tall, dark-haired cook. “Hud, you’re on food delivery at the bar, at least for meat orders.”
Hud winked at Nora and gave Steph a thumbs-up.
Steph started at the far end of the bar and worked down the long expanse, showing Nora where they kept glasses, supplies, and the beer, wine, and liquor. When they reached the other end of the bar where the wait staff placed their drink orders, Steph turned to her. “There you have it. Tomorrow I’ll show you around my office.”
“Thanks.” Nora smiled at Steph. “I appreciate you giving me a second chance. I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t.” Steph smiled easily. “I have a good sense about people.” She filled a drink order as Nora gathered her things. “By the way, do you know anyone who’s looking for a place to rent?” Steph asked. “I live in the duplex next door and half of it’s been empty since our last bartender moved to California.”
Nora could hardly believe her ears. A job in a warm and loving environment that included office work, and now the potential for a place for her and Ben to live. It would be ideal if she could afford it. Not only was it next door to her new job, but it was also close to Ben’s school and his best friend’s house.
Before she could respond, a thud sounded, followed by shattering glass.
Steph sprinted toward the other side of the bar. Nora followed her to the NASCAR wall. It appeared that Maggie had bumped into the wall and knocked down two pictures.
As Maggie stooped over, Steph called out to her.
“Maggie, no!” Steph rushed to the older woman’s side and took her arm. “We’ll get that.”
Maggie straightened.
“Are you okay?” Steph asked.
Maggie smoothed down her short cap of silver hair. “Of course,” she snapped, snatching her arm back. “But I gotta run,” she said, and then hustled out of the bar.
Hud appeared with a broom and swept up the broken glass.
As Steph thanked Hud, Nora bent down and picked up the pictures. Carrying them to the bar, she stole a glance at the top photo. She registered a handsome young man holding a trophy aloft and grinning, then her gaze was drawn to the thin, brunette standing just behind him. “Oh. My. God.” Nora’s heart raced as she did a double-take. It was Lynn standing next to the man holding the trophy.
Steph rushed to her side. “You’re shaking.” She took the pictures and placed them on the bar. “What’s wrong?”
Nora leaned against a stool. “My sister,” she said, her voice a rough whisper.
“What about your sister?” Steph asked, gently rubbing her arm.
Mind reeling, Nora picked up the picture again. Her sister looked to be about sixteen, the age when she had gotten pregnant. Lynn had been so young, so full of life back then. Sighing wistfully, Nora took in every detail, only half aware of Steph waiting for more information.
As she studied the shirt her sister was wearing, Nora sucked in a sharp breath. It was a cute smiley-face T-shirt that Lynn had later turned into a sleeveless belly shirt. Nora remembered it well, because she’d taken the shirt away from Lynn when she’d been six months pregnant and still wearing it. Could this man be Ben’s father, she wondered, and how could she find out who he was? An eager anticipation fluttered inside her.
Moving her index finger to the girl in the picture, Nora caught Steph’s gaze. “This is my sister.”
Steph’s eyes widened as Nora slid her finger to the young man. “Do you know who he is?”
“Davey Johnson.” Steph pressed a hand to her chest. “My son.”
Chapter Three
Steph stared at the picture in disbelief. Nora’s sister had dated her son?
Nora’s mouth dropped open. “This is your son?”
Steph forced her head to bob up and down. She wondered if Nora was thinking the same thing as she was—Could Davey be Ben’s father? Earlier, Nora had mentioned that she was searching for Ben’s dad. Nora’s arrival at OTR and the connection between Davey and Lynn were surely more than mere coincidence.
Steph glanced at the picture again, even though looking at her son caused sadness to well inside her chest. He appeared to be about seventeen, a boy on the verge of manhood, a time in his life when he could have used his mama.
But she and Davey had been estranged for the last eleven years. Her high school friend, Cruz Santiago, who was also Davey’s NASCAR Crew Chief had kept in touch with her over the years. Cruz had sent the framed photos that lined her racing wall as a way to ease her suffering. The wall followed Davey’s career, with photos from his short-track circuit races at the top to the more current NASCAR pictures mid-way down.
After years of therapy and extended study with her sister Julia’s pastor, whom she affectionately called Guru Bob, Steph realized that her estrangement with Davey wasn’t her fault. Sure, she’d made mistakes, but her ex-husband Tuck had too. She had learned that she couldn’t change the past, she could only focus on the now.
Still, it was hard for her to talk about Davey because she desperately yearned for a real mother-son relationship. Her employees knew about Davey and about the illness that had caused her to move away. They also knew that her relationship with Davey was a sensitive subject so they never mentioned him, not even when NASCAR races streamed on the large screen TV’s above the bar.
But she needed to talk about him now. She glanced at the picture again, taking a closer look at Nora’s sister. The young brunette didn’t appear to be pregnant. Steph had no way of knowing whether Davey was Ben’s father, but she’d noticed a resemblance in the picture of Ben that Nora had shown her earlier. A maternal wave swept through her at the idea that she might be a grandma and a blissful warmth circled and settled in her heart.
Lifting her head, she met Nora’s gaze. Nora’s expression was filled with wide-eyed shock, but underneath was the same hope that had made its way inside Steph’s chest. “Do you have time to talk?”
Nora glanced at her watch. “I have twenty minutes.”
“Let’s go to my office.” Steph tucked the picture under one arm, then she and Nora made their way to her office.
After they had settled on the loveseat, Nora turned to her. “I’m pretty sure your son is Ben’s dad.”
Steph had no idea how Nora could know that for sure. But she had made the statement with such certainty that Steph’s entire body quivered with hope.
“Ben’s dad’s name is Davey,” Nora said. “It’s a unique name. Not Dave or David, but Davey.”
That couldn’t be a coincidence. Excitement mounting, Steph nodded. “He’s a junior—Tucker David Johnson, Junior. Everyone called his dad Tuck, so I wanted something different and unique for Davey.”
“I never knew his last name.” Nora twisted a finger through a strand of her hair. “Lynn said it didn’t
matter because Davey had to move and that he’d never wanted kids.”
Steph clasped her hands together. She hoped Davey hadn’t neglected his responsibilities as a father. “Did Davey know about Ben?” she asked, even though she was half afraid of the answer.
Nora shook her head. “Lynn never told him.”
Steph sagged in relief.
“She wouldn’t give me his last name. I think she was afraid I’d find him and tell him about Ben and that he might try to take Ben away.” A flash of grief moved through Nora’s eyes. “Despite Lynn’s addictions, she really loved Ben.”
Nora reached over and retrieved the picture from Steph’s desk. She pointed at the T-shirt her sister had on. “I got Lynn that shirt for Christmas the year before Ben was born.” Nora turned quiet for a long moment. “She didn’t show until she was five or six months along. By then, she’d turned the tee into a belly shirt. I took it away with a promise that I’d return it after she delivered.” Nora pointed at the small print on the bottom of the picture.
Steph took the picture and ran a finger over the date. Ben was nine going on ten…the timing was right. She jiggled her foot to release her excess energy. It didn’t prove that Davey was Ben’s father, but it put him and Lynn together in the right timeframe.
Nora twisted her fingers on her lap. “There’s one more thing,” she said, her voice small and tinged with uncertainty.
Steph leaned toward her. “What is it?”
“I’m not sure I should share this.” Nora bit her lower lip, then looked away. “You’ll probably think I’m a crackpot.”
Steph put a hand over Nora’s. “You can tell me,” she said, in a soft, encouraging voice. “I don’t judge.”
“Okay, but I hope you don’t think I’m crazy.” Nora let out a tight laugh. “Because what I’m about to tell you is a little crazy.” She drew in a long breath and let it out. “I’m at On The Rocks because my deceased grandfather appeared and gave me your newspaper ad. He said there was a purpose for me to be here.” Nora lifted her chin and looked Steph in the eye. “I think I’m here because you can help me connect with Ben’s father.”
Nora's Promise Page 3