Swanson Farms

Chapter 9

A couple days later I was working the bakery alone and Zach and Dad walked in around lunch time, Dad was carrying Bailey.

"Hey y'all," I said, taking off the apron and taking Bailey from my dad,

"Hey. Can you join us for lunch? Your mother is in the car waiting." He said, and I sighed,

"I'm just waiting for Hannah to show up, I told her around twelve and she called me saying she would be a few minutes late. I really don't want to have to close the bakery down, lately business is booming."

Zach grinned, "That's amazing Charlie!"

I smiled and saw Hannah's blue car pull into the space in front of the bakery and I smiled warmly at her when she came in,

"Hey Char! Heading out for lunch?" I nodded and my Dad smiled at her,

"Hello Hannah, we're going over to Bernie's. Did you want anything?" Hannah smiled warmly,

"I'm okay Mr. Swanson, I'm still trying to lose the baby weight from when I had Simon..." She said, raising her eyebrow.

Her son, Simon, was almost five now, as she had him in our senior year of high school. She's been one of my closest friends and now she was able to help me through the toughest times of being a mother.

I rolled my eyes, knowing that was her excuse when she didn't want people to be putting themselves out for her. Since her high school sweetheart, Adam, was over seas Hannah didn't have very much money to spare.

I'll just bring her back a poutine and a cheeseburger, I said mentally knowing that my parents would foot the cost of my food, the least I could do was give her some left overs.  Like

"Alright well I'll see you in an hour or two okay?" Hannah nodded and smiled, and I went out and got in the back seat of my parent's car. Since both Jackie and I have trucks my parents had decided to down grade and change to a more eco-friendly hybrid vehicle.

"Hello Charlie!" My mom said, smiling at me from the passenger seat as I secured Bailey into the car seat,

"Hey mom," I smiled and we drove across town to Bernie's Diner. He had the absolute best burgers in the county and the prices were extremely affordable. It was almost five dollars for a cheeseburger, with a large helping of fries, and an unlimited refillable beverage.

Mrs. Jackson (Bernie's wife) greeted us when we walked in with a big smile,

"Hey guys! Oh Charlie she's absolutely beautiful!" She said, her plump frame rushing over to get a better look at my sleeping daughter. She looked around and put a hand on my shoulder, leaning in to whisper, "You're doing the right thing. I'm very proud of you." I smiled and hugged her before she lead us back to a booth.

"It's on the house tonight okay guys?" She said smiling, "Now, I'm guessing you guys don't want a menu." She said smiling and my dad grinned,

"You know us too well Mrs. Jackson. I'll have the bacon cheeseburger with fries on the side, and a beer."

"Two bacon cheeseburgers with a caesar salad and one back bacon cheeseburger with onion rings." Zach said, knowing the orders off by heart. I got the same thing as my mom and Jackie usually got the same thing as dad did.

"Drinks?" She asked and I smiled,

"One water, and two Pepsi's please." She nodded and smiled,

"Sounds good loves. If you need to warm up her formula don't be afraid to ask okay?" I nodded smiling,

"Thank you Mrs. Jackson." I said, rubbing Bailey's back. She smiled and walked away and Zach cleared his throat,

"So you're probably wondering why I asked that we go out to lunch without Jackie... Yet I think you probably know by now."