Who You Say I Am (A Jai Courtney Fanfic)

Chapter 60-Meg

Meg

My mom calls us up to dinner and we climb the stairs. I see she has the dining table set with our nicest dishes and a tablecloth. She even has a lovely centerpiece she arranged. I'm moved that she went to so much trouble. We usually just eat in the kitchen except for holidays.
"What's the occasion, Mom?" Mikey asks sitting down. I direct Jai to sit beside me, where Spencer sat for Christmas dinner not long ago.
"Megan is finally home and we have a guest. I thought it an appropriate occasion to have a nice gathering," she explains.
We grasp hands and bow our heads before my father leads us in a prayer. We separate but I feel Jai's hand linger a little longer on mine. He smiles at me before we start on the meal. I pass Jai the plate with the latkas and he takes one. I take two before setting the dish down. My father gives Jai a really nice sized steak. I take the smallest one. I get a helping of salad and a slice of challah. I pass Jai the bread plate and he takes a slice as well.
"Did you get the yarn you wanted, Mom?" I ask.
"I did. They had the prettiest cream color. I was thinking of making a throw for the living room," she says.
I overhear my father talking with Jai but I can't hear what they're saying. I feel a kick to my foot and I look up to Mikey questioningly. He motions to Jai and Dad. He notices, too. My father never really spoke much to Spencer. It looks like they're getting along well. I nod to my brother.
"So, Daddy?" I ask him when they're done talking.
"Yes, sweetheart," he replies.
"Could we go to the range sometime soon?" I ask.
He blinks in surprise and I see a smile grow on his face. "Sure. You want to practice with your bow or guns?" he asks.
"I was thinking both. Jai said he's never shot a real gun before," I tell him.
"Would you like to join us?" my father asks him.
"Sure," Jai easily agrees.
"Can I come, too?" Mikey requests.
My father chuckles. "Of course, you're always welcome," he grins. "Do you want to go tomorrow?"
"After church?" I confirm.
"Of course," he nods.
"That sounds nice," Jai agrees.
"Jai's coming to church with us tomorrow," Mikey says between bites.
"Oh?" my mom questions happily.
"If it's not too much trouble," Jai adds.
"No. No trouble," my mom smiles. "Megan doesn't have to be in early so you could join us for breakfast. I'm making a blueberry clafoutis."
"What's that?" Jai asks intrigued.
"It's sort of like a fancy baked pancake," I try to explain.
"Pretty much," my mom agrees.
"Thank you," Jai smiles. He glances at me.
"I'm making matzoh ball soup if you all want that before you go to the range," my mom says.
"That sounds lovely, dear," my dad replies.
"You won't be joining us?" Jai questions.
"No, it's definitely not my thing. I'll probably go quilting at one of my friend's homes," she replies.
"How's Mrs Johnson, by the way?" I inquire.
"Oh, she's better. It was only like a twenty four hour bug. She was over it fast," she tells me.
"So, just enough to keep her from traveling," I nod.
Jai shares a look with me and I smile at him. We finish up and thank my mother for the meal. I decide to take Jai out for dessert. He drives of course.
"So, where are we going again?" he questions.
"It's a local place. They serve food. It's kind of a dive but they have really good pie," I say.
"What kind of pie?" he asks intrigued.
"I guess we'll see what's left," I grin. "There are usually like ten to twenty kinds available."
"That's a lot of pie," he laughs.
"It is," I agree. "They're so popular, though, that they often run out of some."
"That sounds like it must be good," he grins.
"It'll change your life," I tease.
"I thought the only thing in this city was family?" he jokes.
"There's a few things," I smile.
I direct him to the restaurant and he sees more of the city.  I realize how run down it's become in my lifetime and it makes me sad.  We pull into the lot and he points to the sign.  "Is their food any good?" he asks grinning.  Their sign says Good Food, not the restaurant's name. 
"It's like a homemade meal," I nod smiling.  "I don't think I've had anything I didn't like."
We step into the little restaurant and it's fairly packed.  There's one booth that's just getting wiped down. 
"I guess that's our table," I say. 
We're seated and the waitress lists off the remaining options of pie. 
"They all sound good," Jai smiles. 
"Pick any two and we'll share," I tell him. 
"What's your favorite?" he asks. 
"It's out of season," I tell him. 
He frowns.  "Second favorite?" he questions. 
"Dutch cherry with whipped cream," I request. 
"Chocolate or chocolate peanut butter?" he asks me. 
"The peanut butter," I tell him. 
"I've got it," the waitress says writing it down.  "Any drinks?"
"Hot chocolate, please," I request. 
"Hot tea?" Jai asks. 
"I've got it," she smiles. 
"Can I get a menu?" Jai asks. 
"Oh, I'm sorry.  Do you want a meal, too?" the waitress apologizes. 
"No, it's just my first time here and I'm curious," he explains. 
"Of course, hun," she says pulling a menu out of her apron.  "It'll just be a minute for everything."
I thank her and watch as Jai peruses the menu.  "This place looks pretty good," he comments.  He leans forward and whispers, "I thought you said food in your town was no good."
"I was talking about takeout," I clarify.  "Like fast food.  Some restaurants aren't so good but this place is."
"So, you have to be a local to know?" he questions. 
"Trial and error," I tell him. 
He nods, "So far you've been spot on."
"So you enjoyed lunch?" I inquire. 
"Everything was good," he nods.  "I'd get their onion rings next time."
"What?  You didn't like the fries?" I question.  "I always thought they were the best."
"I didn't say that.  Just next time I'd try the other," he explains.  I nod in understanding.  "They have that lake perch here, too.  Is it good?"
"I like it," I nod. 
"Maybe I'll have to try that sometime," he says still looking over the menu. 
"What's this pie?" he asks pointing to a picture. 
"That's what you ordered," I smile. 
"I've got good taste," he grins.  I chuckle at that.  He looks at me a moment and our eyes meet.  I feel as if he wants to say something to me but our waitress returns with our drinks and pie. 
"Thank you," I tell her. 
"You're welcome, sweetheart.  Wave me down if there's anything you need," she says. 
"Will do," I smile.
"She's not coming back?" Jai asks surprised. 
"It's a small place," I shrug.  "Do you need something else?"
"No, I'm just surprised is all.  Usually there's like a rule with restaurants.  They have to come back so many times," he says. 
"Yeah, but do you like the constant interruption?" I inquire. 
"Not really," he admits. 
"See.  No problem," I grin.  "So are you going to try that pie?"
"Oh, yeah," he nods.  He tries a bite and chews smiling.  "This is good."
"It is," I agree.  I cut into mine.  It's good. 
"Do I get a bite?" he asks. 
"Sure," I say sliding it closer to him. 
"I like this one just as much," he tells me.  "So... what's your favorite here?"
"Strawberry rhubarb," I say. 
"I've never had that," he tells me. 
"Come back in the summer and you can," I say putting another bite in my mouth. 
I look up to see him smiling at me.  I smile back and have a sip of my cocoa.