Summer Girl

Summer Girl - Chapter 7

Chapter SEVEN 

I didn't see Cay until we were already seated, at a table in the far corner. Out the window, I saw a bunch of kids climbing on the play structure, a young couple making out in front of the ice cream shop. I was so used to these scenes, this life.

  Carter Peterson, the son of the owner of the Burger Hut, was our server. He was a couple years old than me, and sort of a quiet on-looker. I only worked him with once a week and I'd never seen him when I wasn't working.

  "I'm Carter, I'll be serving you this afternoon. Izzie, nice to see you," he began, nodding at me. I had just seen him a few days before that. "Can I get you started with some drinks?"

  "I'll have a draft beer," Max began, then added, "Har, will you drive us back?"

  Harley laughed, then nodded. "I'll have a Coke."

  "Diet Coke for you, Izzie?" Carter asked. I nodded, then he walked away from our table.

  "You know that guy?" Harley asked, curious.

  "Uh, yeah. I mean, I come here a lot, I guess," I told him. Max kept a straight face.

  But then I saw Cay, who was walking towards me, from the server's station. She looked shocked, then sort of impressed. She had a huge smile on her face.

  "What the hell are you doing here?" she yelled, as she got closer.

  I blinked hard, hoping she didn't embarrass me further. "Hey, Cay."

  "Uh, hey," she said, looking at Max, then Harley.

  "Uh, so, these are my friends... Max, Harley," I told her, waiting for her reaction. "Guys, this is Cay."

  "Nice to meet you," Max said, holding out his hand. She shook it, smiling at him.

  "Hey," Harley said, mostly ignoring her. He looked back down at the menu. "Which burger is the best? I mean, I've had a couple of them already-"

  "Ask Izzie," Cay interrupted.

  I shot her a look. She shook her head and walked away. Max looked surprised. Harley was confused, for sure.

  "I actually work here," I blurted out. "That's my friend... my co-worker."

  "You work here? While you are on vacation?" Harley asked. I nodded, not wanting to say anything else. "Lame. No one should work on vacation."

  The food was good, but I couldn't wait to get out of there. Cay didn't show her face again. It was late afternoon when we left, after Max insisted on paying. He had had three beers and was in a great mood. Harley was looking irritated.

  I sat beside him in the passenger seat, driving the five minutes down the back road to their cottage. I watched out the window as the familiar cottages passed by. Max was laughing at himself behind me. This all felt weird, new. But I liked it so much.

  "I can walk back from here," I said, as Harley slowed down in front of their cottage.

  "No!" Max yelled. "Har, take the girl home."

  "Really, I'm fine. It's close," I said, opening the door to get out.

  Max stumbled over to me, putting his arms around me a moment later. "I had such a fun day," he said in my ear.

  "Me too," I told him. "Thanks."

  "I will call you later, girl," he went on, kissed my cheek and then turned to walk towards the cottage.