Love Always (NG4)

45 - Diner

Sam returned to Nonna's house after the Ohio State game. He would stay until he left to drive to Michigan. On his first trip, he kept to himself except for a visit to Dee's house to see his cousins. They were in middle school, and Sam felt old. Dee didn't bother to ask how he was.

She said, "Let me know when your head gets screwed on straight."

He didn't fault her. She was a no nonsense girl and had no interest in putting up with his moping or crying. Bryan and his sister were opposites. Nonna was the same. Except with food, there was no coddling in Ohio.

Sam met Dee for lunch at the diner. Once again he drove past the fire station. He found a parking spot in front of the old iconic building. Dee was waiting for him in a booth and he waved. Tina saw him and jumped up and down.

"Here he is Sam Keller, our local star!"

She put her arms out, and he hugged her. "I'm not a star. I like it behind the camera."

"Welcome home, sweet thing."

"Thanks."

He didn't tell her he didn't think of Turner as home. He really needed to take a trip home.

Dee frowned at him as he made his way to the table. "No crying in the diner."

"I know better than to cry around you." He sat down and looked around. "This place hasn't changed. I should bring my camera."

"You and your camera sure paid off. Sam, you're making us proud."

He smirked. "Don't go soft on me."

"Speaking of hard women, how's your Nonna?"

Sam thought for a moment. "She's good. She still feeds me all the time, but she doesn't eat much."

"Too busy waiting on you, I'm sure."

He shrugged. "What's new with the boys?"

Sam listened to her talk, but it made him miss Emma and JP and Keira. He had been jealous when Rory went home. He tortured himself wondering if Dan missed her. She still texted him, but not as many times throughout the day. In weak moments, he read her text messages. She updated him on snippets of her life. Much of it was what she would have told him if he called her from the road. She never mentioned Finn or his father.

Tina walked over with his Coke and Dee's diet. "What are you having?"

He looked at the menu. He used to order hamburgers or chicken tenders. "How about a grilled cheese and tomato on sour dough?"

"You got it, honey. Extra crispy fries with it?"

How did she remember? "Yes. Thank you." She took his menu.

Tina said, "Dee?"

"Chicken salad on whole wheat. Bring the fries, Sam'll help me eat them."

He shook his head. "I have to save room for dinner."

"Tell me where you're going next."

He talked about his schedule and admitted he needed to go home. "You might see a lot of me. Turner's a central place to crash.

"You won't see me complaining." Dee waved and Sam looked. "That's Jake, the cop."

Sam said, "I don't remember him. Anna likes him."

Dee called. "Hey Jake! Come over."

He wore plain clothes. "Hey, Darlene. You okay?"

"Yeah. This is my nephew, Sam."

Jake looked at him. "Little Sam. I saw you on the news. Great video."

He nodded. "I made sure I edited Anna out of the beach footage. So is the guy around here?"