For you, Lucy. (On Hold)

Chapter 7. Memories and Chicken Ribs.

"It was a pleasure  to meet you guys." said Sandra as she helped them take down the tent and load it into the back of the Robbie's car.
"Oh, the pleasure was all ours." Robbie replied, smiling.
Packing all done, Robbie and Janis parted ways with Sandra as they went off to jump from the sky, and Sandra went back to her life of adventure.
"This one's gonna be so exciting!!!" yelled Janis, seeing that the next item on the list was skydiving.
Smiling at her enthusiasm, Robbie drove on, wondering if his arthritis would peacefully allow him to complete this item.
"You know what, Robbie Albert?" asked Janis suddenly and Robbie glanced at her.
Taking that as an indication for her to continue, Janis continued.
"I've always wanted to go on a trip like this. And, skydiving has always been this huge dream for me."
"Well it's a good thing that I agreed to take you along then, isn't it?" he asked in return and Janis nodded enthusiastically.
Her mind went back to when she was six and she played the memory in her head.

"Turn off the TV, you little brat!" yelled a harsh voice as Janis sat in front of the cubical box, her clear green eyes fixated on the group of tattooed daredevils who laughed and teased each other as they drove along an empty road in a caravan.

On hearing the voice, the little girl cringed and immediately got up to switch the television off. She did it reluctantly though, they were going to go skydiving after the commercial break and now, she would miss it.

"I switched it off, mommy." said little Janis, looking up at the thin woman, hoping for some praise or appreciation or even a smile. She got neither. But instead got a sneer.

"Go to your room, you worthless piece of shit!" yelled her mom and Janis's clear green eyes widened.
"Mommy! That's a bad word! Miss Liam made Nathan stand in the corner for saying that!" she protested and her mother threw down the pan she was cooking on, making Janis look up at her in fear.
"Go. To. Your. Room." she hissed and Janis scampered away.

Jumping on the small unmade bed in a tiny room with paint peeling off the walls, Janis began to cry. Then, she began to pray.

"Kid?" heard Janis and she snapped out of the unpleasant memory.
"Sorry, I kinda zoned out." she said hastily and Robbie looked at her, concern evident in his eyes.
"Yes, I noticed. So, I was asking if you wanted to stop for brunch. Because I sure am hungry." he said.
"But didn't we just start?" she asked, puzzled.
"No, it's been 2 hours. You zoned out for quite a while."
"Oh."
"What was in your mind? Seemed like something unhappy, judging by your expression." asked Robbie, looking at Janis in concern. He felt strangely protective of her. Like it was his duty to keep her safe. It probably was too. After all, he did let her join him.
"Ah, it was nothing." she said nonchalantly. But she didn't say anything else so Robbie decided not to press her.

They stopped at diner which apparently served the best, and I repeat, THE best chicken ribs ever. (As the waitress assured them.)
"So what's it gonna be, you guys. I'm telling you the chicken ribs are ay-may-zing!" said the young waitress, stressing on the word amazing.
"Um, I'll have the chicken ribs if that's alright." said Janis and the waitress nodded as if to say 'good choice!'
"And you, sir?" she asked turning towards Robbie.
"Same."
"Excellentè! I'll bring them over in about 10 minutes." she said and walked away tapping her pencil on the little notepad she carried.

Janis didn't seem like she wanted to make conversation so Robbie dug into his bag and got out Lucy's bucket list.
The first item now had a small tick next to it. It made him smile. He read on.

"2. Go skydiving.
3. Tell Robbie I love him.
4. Learn how to play an instrument.
5. Meet Kenneth Richards..."

Robbie chuckled.
"Really Lucy?" he said out loud and Janis looked at him questioningly.
"Take a look at this!" he said handing her the paper.
"Kenneth Richards? That old guy?" she asked looking up at Robbie, her nose crinkled.
"Old guy?! He was quite the actor back in our time. He's a bit too old to act now though. Every lady used to swoon at his very name. Made all us mortal guys pretty annoyed. Lucy loved him too. Fortunately for me, she loved me more." he said and smiled as he remembered something.

"Isn't he gorgeous, Robbie?!" Lucy gushed, her clear green eyes twinkling as she barely took her eyes away from the handsome man on the theatre screen. Robbie had brought her to see Kenneth Richards' latest movie for her birthday and by her expression, he guessed she was in love with his little idea for a date.

He snorted in reply but Lucy took no notice.  The movie was a bit too romantic for Robbie but he didn't mind. He watched Lucy more than he watched the movie. Her twinkling eyes, her soft lips that stretched into that heart stopping smile. He seemed to get lost in her. Like she was an entrancing illusion that he could barely take his eyes off. He loved her. And he would for the rest of his life. He would ask her to marry him soon.

The movie ended and the young couple walked out, their arms linked together, talking and laughing to each other as there was no one else in sight. Yes, there definitely was love in the air.

"Your chicken ribs, sir." said the waitress as she placed a plate piled high with red, hot and really great smelling chicken ribs in front of Robbie.
"Theeeere you go!" she said to Janis, placing an identical plate in front of the preoccupied teenager, who hardly noticed. Robbie decided not to comment, instead saying a quick thank you to the waitress on Janis's behalf.

The waitress hadn't been wrong. The chicken ribs were pretty amazing. Even Janis seemed to come out of her trance and dig in. Robbie took that as an invitation to light conversation.

"How're you liking the chicken ribs?" he asked.
"They're pretty good!" she said. Nothing more. The silence dragged on, interrupted by occasional lip-smacking, bone-cracking (of the chicken ribs, of course.) and soda-slurping.

The waitress, Kathy, her name was, got over their bill. Putting a few greens inside the bill booklet, Robbie and Janis left the diner.

Kathy was pleasantly surprised to find a large tip and a scribbled note that said-
"The chicken ribs were amazing and I repeat, ay-may-zing :) ;)"

Thank you for reading the seventh chapter of my book! Please vote and comment if you liked it!
So I have no idea when I'm gonna post again. Haven't had the time to write much lately but I promise I'll try to post as soon as possible!
Thank you once again!