by Mandy Baggot
Suddenly her cell phone rang. It jolted her out of the daydream and back to reality. She took her phone out of her pocket and looked at the display.
Clive—again.
She should have called him by now. She’d promised to call him as soon as she’d arrived, and it was days now.
‘Who is it?’ Cole asked, watching Robyn just staring at the ringing phone in her hand.
‘Oh… it’s my work… back in England,’ she answered, hiding her eyes from him in case her expression gave her feelings away.
She was saved from having to say anything else when the doorbell rang.
‘I’ll get it. It’s probably one of your neighbors with chicken and rice. That would save you from the pasta!’ Robyn called as she ran up the hallway.
She opened the door to Brad.
‘Hey,’ he greeted sheepishly.
‘Hey.’
‘Look, um, I wanted to apologize for the other night, being a jerk and sounding off,’ Brad began, looking down at his feet.
‘How did you know I was here? And what’s so good about your shoes?’
‘I called over to Bob and Pam’s. She said you were here on Woodhams. I saw the Mustang,’ Brad admitted, raising his head.
‘D’you wanna come in?’ Robyn invited.
‘No, I can’t really. I’m about to go on duty and…’
‘Come in. Come and eat some pasta with us. I made it, it looks terrible, but Cole’s trying to fix it,’ Robyn said, ushering him in.
‘I don’t want to put anyone to any trouble,’ he said, reluctantly stepping in.
‘Cole! Get another plate out, Brad’s here! And don’t worry, he basically had an olive branch between his teeth,’ Robyn called as they made their way into the dining room.
‘Look, about the way I reacted last night. I care about you, Robyn, I always have and I just…’ Brad began, taking off his hat.
‘I overreacted, too. Of course I eat dinners—you surprised me, that’s all. We’ll have dinner, I promise, just as soon as I have the roadhouse up and running.’
‘Hey,’ Cole greeted, entering the dining room with the food.
‘Hey, Cole. Listen, I apologize for last night. I acted like a tool. Can we put it behind us?’ Brad asked, offering him his hand.
Cole looked at the offering but made no move.
‘Cole, come on. I promise, he’s not usually a fruitcake like he was last night,’ Robyn said.
‘I mean it, man, sincere apology. I was out of line,’ Brad told him.
Cole took his hand and shook it.
‘She looks like a great car, by the way. Does she run good?’ Brad asked as they all sat down at the table.
‘Don’t ask him, I haven’t let him drive it! She runs just fine. She needs a tune-up, but I intend to sort that out this weekend,’ Robyn informed him.
‘Wow, pasta looks… interesting,’ Brad remarked, observing the gray-colored sauce.
‘Yeah, what is in the sauce?’ Cole asked Robyn, preparing to take a mouthful.
‘Not telling. It’s a secret recipe,’ Robyn said, spooning some into her mouth.
Brad looked at Cole and Cole looked back at Brad. Both waited to see who was going to sample the food first.
Cole opened his mouth and put in a large forkful. As if not to be outdone, Brad followed his lead.
‘It’s anchovy, pepper, mushroom, dill pickle, and Bud Light,’ Robyn informed them.
‘I think I’m gonna be sick,’ Brad announced, leaping up from the table and hurrying to the kitchen.
‘What’s his problem?’ Robyn asked with a shrug.
‘Damned if I know,’ Cole replied, piling up his fork.
Seventeen
‘Good morning, Max, raisins for you. They’re full of goodness and taste like sweets, remember,’ Robyn announced the next day, depositing a large packet on the old man’s bed.
‘Huh! You said that about the grapes and I’ve been on the bedpan all night long,’ Max grunted, picking up the packet and putting it on his locker.
‘Cinnamon doughnut, Dad? Or a nice bag of low-sugar popcorn? I’ll let you choose. Doughnut or popcorn? Popcorn or doughnut?’ Robyn asked, swinging both items in front of Eddie’s face.
‘Take the doughnut, Eddie, we can share it,’ Max called gruffly.
‘I promised Nancy a wedding when I get out of here, gimme the popcorn,’ Eddie said, grabbing the bag from his daughter.
‘Ah ha! I knew there was a reason she’s being nice to me. You’re really going to marry her. You’ve set a date?’ Robyn asked.
‘Three months’ time. Did you give her a job?’ Eddie wanted to know, pouring popcorn into his mouth.
‘Did I have a choice?’ Robyn replied, sinking her teeth into the doughnut.
‘She’s not like you think, Buttercup,’ Eddie insisted, popcorn tumbling out of his mouth as he spoke.
‘You called me Buttercup,’ Robyn remarked, stopping chewing.
‘Yeah, so? What of it?’
‘I forgot you used to call me that.’
‘Don’t go getting all sentimental. I thought we weren’t talking about feelings. How are the Panthers going? You talked tactics with them yet?’
‘Tonight. We’re going out to Taboo,’ Robyn informed them.
‘Jeez! Taboo! That takes me back! Haven’t been there for years. I can’t believe it’s still going.’
‘Thought it would be a good distraction from tomorrow’s game. Give them some bonding time, let them kick back a bit,’ Robyn told him.
‘What’s Taboo?’ Max questioned, leaning forward in his bed and peering over at them.
‘What’s Taboo? Max! Shame on you, old man! You never been?’ Eddie called.
‘What the hell is it? A bar or something?’
‘A strip club. You wanna see the girls they got there, Max!’ Eddie remarked excitedly.
‘Apparently, they have a room for ladies now, with men on stage,’ Robyn informed him.
‘Hell no! That’s all wrong!’ Eddie exclaimed.
‘Why?’
‘It just ain’t natural.’
‘Women like men appreciating them,’ Max added.
‘Leering at them more like,’ Robyn commented.
‘They earn good money, we like looking at them, everyone’s a winner,’ Eddie told them both.
‘So when we going?’ Max asked with a chuckle as he opened the bag of raisins and sprayed them across the bed.
‘Never, unless you get your blood pressure down. I’ll give you a blow by blow account when I come in next,’ Robyn said.
‘Not of the men’s room though… we don’t wanna hear nothing about that,’ Eddie answered.
‘Roadhouse opens next week. It’s almost decorated and I have plates coming today,’ Robyn informed her dad, finishing the doughnut.
‘Plates? We had plates. Why do we need new plates?’ Eddie questioned.
‘Dad, it doesn’t look like you’ve served food for years. I’ve had to get a company in to steam clean everything. New plates have a motif on them,’ Robyn told him.
‘What sort of motif?’
‘It matches the sign. “Eddie’s Roadhouse” written on a huge burgundy baseball cap,’ Robyn informed him.
‘Sounds great,’ Max replied, chewing up raisins.
‘Sounds expensive,’ Eddie said grumpily.
‘I’ve paid. I’ve paid for everything,’ Robyn assured him.
‘On a mechanic’s wage? You’re still a mechanic, right?’
‘Sometimes. I work in the office mainly.’
‘In the office! Did you hear that, Max? My daughter works in an office!’ Eddie exclaimed proudly.
‘Punches holes in things and does filing, I bet,’ Max muttered.
‘Must pay well, though,’ Eddie said.
‘Something like that. Listen, I’ve spoken to the doctor, and he’s really pleased with your latest tests. He reckons you might be able to have the operation next week,’ Robyn told him.
‘
And that’s a good thing?’ Eddie moaned.
‘Dad, do you want to be stuck in this bed with him next to you forever?’ Robyn asked.
Max was now doubled up having another coughing fit.
‘Hey, what d’you mean? I’m good company. Tell her, Eddie,’ Max spoke through the coughing.
‘I guess you have a point, Buttercup,’ Eddie agreed.
‘So, what’s on the menu today?’ Robyn asked, picking up a menu card.
‘Dunno. Some godawful shit, I expect.’
‘Baked fish with tomato and basil, new potatoes and green beans. That sounds nice,’ Robyn said, smacking her lips together.
‘You were never a good liar, you hate that shit,’ Eddie reminded her.
‘It’s good for you,’ Robyn retorted.
‘Yeah, unlike chips and dips, which is probably what you got on your menu,’ Eddie replied.
‘Actually, I had pasta last night,’ Robyn informed him.
‘Ugh! Like worms, that is, Italian worms. Gives me the heebie-jeebies,’ Max announced, shivering.
‘How do you put up with this all day? I only come for an hour, and I want to smother him with his pillow by the end of it,’ Robyn said.
‘If I could get out of this bed, I would do it for you,’ Eddie remarked.
*
She had a dirt mark on her cheek. Her sleeves were rolled up and half of her hair was hanging out of its ponytail. He had to put his hands into the pockets of his jeans to stop himself from trying to rub the mark away. Since she had told him about the rape, he found himself wanting to try and look after her. She’d obviously been through it, her mother was gone, her father was in the hospital, and her aunt and uncle had spawned the offspring of Beelzebub. Who did she have? But then again, it was none of his business. He didn’t do involvement any more. Did he?
*
‘See! What do you think of the décor?’ Robyn asked.
It was lunchtime, and she had invited Cole to the roadhouse to see how work was progressing. So far Nancy had proved invaluable. She had completed a stock check, ordered tablecloths and napkins, and phoned back all the beer suppliers, knocking them further down on price.
‘It’s great. Wow, this looks like something out of a Western film,’ Cole said, admiring the surroundings.
‘God, does it?! Don’t say that! I wanted traditional but not old-fashioned. Is it old-fashioned? Milo! Cole thinks it’s old-fashioned. Do you think it’s old-fashioned?’ Robyn called out to her bartender.
‘Robyn, I didn’t mean it like that. It’s homey, you want it to be homey right? It isn’t old-fashioned, it’s retro,’ Cole told her quickly.
‘I want you to be honest with me. Don’t save my feelings, tell me how it is,’ Robyn ordered him.
‘It’s great. It’s homey, it’s smart, it’s comfortable and it’s traditional. It’s everything a good roadhouse should be. It’s… unpretentious,’ Cole said positively.
‘Unpretentious. I like that. Yes, it is unpretentious, isn’t it? Milo, do you think it’s unpretentious?’ Robyn called.
‘Absolutely, ma’am,’ Milo shouted back.
‘He keeps calling me ma’am lately. I’ve told him to call me Robyn, but he can’t get his head round it. So, come on then, get behind the bar,’ Robyn ordered Cole, ushering him forward.
‘I knew it!’
‘You knew what?’
‘I knew this wasn’t an invitation for lunch and a look at the décor. This was a test,’ Cole responded.
‘I don’t know what you mean,’
‘You want to see if I can work a bar before you give me a job here,’ Cole remarked.
‘Absolutely not. I just fancy a nice pitcher of Bud Light with the sandwiches Nancy’s making, and Milo hurt his thumb in the stock room this morning. He needs to rest it,’ Robyn insisted, making big eyes at Milo.
‘Bad thumb, huh?’ Cole said, eyeing the bartender with suspicion.
‘Yeah, I, er, dropped a barrel on it,’ Milo replied.
‘Let me see,’ Cole said, trying to get a good look at his hands.
‘That’s not necessary. I’ve assessed the injury and rest is all that’s required. Milo, go and see what Nancy’s doing with the sandwiches,’ Robyn ordered him.
‘Yes, ma’am,’ Milo replied, hurrying out toward the kitchen.
‘Don’t you think I’ve worked a bar before?’
‘You said you worked somewhere that sounded campier than Jake Shears. I’m not sure it’s a real place,’ Robyn answered.
‘You like Scissor Sisters?’
‘Actually, I Googled it. Your old bar does not exist.’
‘No, not now. It got shut down and they made it into a Chuck E Cheese,’ Cole replied.
‘Oh,’ Robyn said.
‘But if you want me to show you what I can do, fine, bring it on,’ Cole said, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt.
‘I’ll have a pitcher of Bud Light, please, a Jack and Coke, and a glass of red wine,’ Robyn ordered, jumping up onto a bar stool.
‘Yes, ma’am. Would you like ice in the Jack and Coke?’
‘Please.’
‘And a large wine?’
‘Regular, actually, but liking your upselling style.’
Cole began to pour the beer, turned around and grabbed a bottle of whiskey, poured some into a glass, then added ice, a dash of Coke and a squeeze of lemon. He found the red wine and poured that too before the pitcher had reached the top.
‘There, ma’am, and that will be… I would tell you, but I don’t really work here and I don’t have a card for the cash register,’ Cole said, lining up the drinks in front of Robyn.
‘Hmm,’ Robyn said, eyeing the pitcher and the glasses.
‘What does “hmm” mean?’
‘I don’t think there should be more than half an inch of foam at the top of the pitcher.’
‘There isn’t!’
‘That’s almost an inch, Cole.’
‘I don’t think you know what an inch is.’
‘Excuse me. Who is the boss around here?’
‘The boss you may be—just didn’t realize you were shaping yourself on Stalin.’
‘That’s insubordination.’
‘So fire me.’
‘You don’t have a job yet.’
‘I might decide I don’t want one, given the décor is so old-fashioned.’
‘Whoa! That’s below the belt and you said it wasn’t! Is it? Tell me honestly,’ Robyn urged.
‘I’ll tell you that there’s not more than half an inch of foam on that pitcher, the red wine’s good, and the Jack and Coke will be the best you’ve ever tasted.’
‘You put lemon in it, for Christ’s sake. What if I’d had a lemon allergy?’
‘I’d expect you to be wearing a big sign round your neck. Taste it,’ Cole urged her.
Robyn picked up the glass and took a swig.
‘It’s disgusting,’ she said, downing the rest of the drink in one go.
‘You’re a liar.’
‘You’re full of yourself.’
‘Back’atcha.’
‘Can you make another one?’ Robyn asked, holding the glass out to him.
‘That depends. Do I get the job?’
‘I suppose I could make an allowance for the extra foam just this once—but don’t let it happen again,’ Robyn said, shaking a finger at him.
‘Cheese and dill pickle and sliced pork and apple sauce, just like you asked,’ Nancy announced as she arrived from the kitchen with a tray full of sandwiches.
‘These look great. Did you make these?’
‘No, sugar, I got a biker gang out the back with a liking for sandwich-making. Of course I made ‘em. Hey! Who are you, honey? You’re cute,’ Nancy remarked, looking admiringly at Cole.
‘Cole.’
‘Yeah, yeah, he’s cute. Cole, this is Nancy, Nancy, this is Cole. Apparently, Nancy’s going to be my stepmom in three months’ time. I haven’t had my bridesmaid invitation yet, but we’re
trying to bond,’ Robyn informed him.
‘Nice to meet you. So, you married?’ Nancy asked, getting close to Cole.
‘No, he’s not, but you nearly are. Back off,’ Robyn warned her.
‘So, meeting him’s fast work for someone who’s only been in town this week.’
‘We’re not dating. I’ve got someone in England.’
‘Have you?’ Cole asked.
‘Oh my! Looks like this beautiful relationship is about to hit the skids,’ Nancy remarked.
‘You told me you didn’t have a guy,’ Cole repeated.
‘I don’t, not really,’ Robyn said awkwardly.
‘You said you didn’t do dating.’
‘I don’t. I…’
‘So what is it then?’ Cole wanted to know.
‘God, what is this! Now who’s behaving like Stalin?’
‘You said you weren’t seeing anyone, now you say you are. Which is it?’ Cole asked.
‘Why do you care so much?’
‘I’m just intrigued why you’d hide it.’
‘Well, go and be intrigued by something else. Find a cure for herpes or something. That’s what you do all day, isn’t it? Or are you toying with the idea of taking a diploma in being an ass?’ Robyn asked.
‘Touchy,’ Nancy remarked.
‘And no one asked your opinion on it, either,’ Robyn snapped.
‘Fine. I’m going to help Milo with the delivery. Enjoy your food,’ Nancy said before disappearing out the back.
‘So, who is he?’ Cole pressed.
‘Jeez! There is nobody. I just said that to shut her up. Man! What’s with you?’ Robyn exclaimed.
‘You’re lying to me,’ Cole said, watching her.
‘I’m not! I do not have a boyfriend,’ Robyn insisted, sinking her teeth into a pork roll.
‘Then what do you have?’
‘I have a guy I sleep with now and then, okay?’ Robyn blurted out.
‘I think that’s called a boyfriend.’
‘It isn’t like that. I don’t care about him.’
‘You don’t care about him?’
‘No.’
‘So you sleep with him, but you don’t care about him.’