Passing Through

Chapter 6: Tipping the Stars

Sitting alone in the car for the first time with Clyde without distractions or friends saying snarky things, it felt nice but awkward, for the first time you had to rely on carrying on the conversation by yourself, it wasn't like they were much help anyway. Say something, anything.

"I met Clara today." You blurted out. You saw Clyde jump a little from the piercing silence being broken. He looks at you then back to the road, He chuckles.

"Oh yeah, How's my favorite lady?"

Realizing you could easily talk to him about the mysterious 90 days she accidently let out, but still debating internally if it was any of your business. You decided to avoid it for now.
"Pissed, you haven't seen her in a while according to her?" you say with a smile.

"Yeah, I've been meaning to go say hi to her and get one of those famous peach cobblers I dream about." He says with a smirk on his face. "She tends to get antsy if I don't see her as often."

You huff and say, "How many times do you go to this diner to have this waitress begging you to come back? You giggle in hopes he thought you were trying to be lighthearted, but also digging for any info at the same time.

"Well, she's not any ordinary waitress to me." Oh, is this it, is this where he actually tells you he's really into older woman, you knew he was too good to be true. What could he possibly see in a woman in her 70's... money? What if that's why he went to jail, he swindles old ladies to fall for him with his soldier story and waits for them to die to claim the money. "She's technically my godmother."

Well you felt stupid, it actually wasn't that deep, it's fine though, you knew you have always jumped to conclusions, maybe you were even wrong about the 90 day stuff. "Really? How did that happen?' Stupid question you know how it happens, in your hubris to look like you weren't accusing him of being a grandma swindler, you manage to put your foot in your mouth. You try to keep a smile so to not let him know you silently wanted to punch yourself in the face.

"Well, she actually is...was my Ma's best friend, they've known each other since the 2nd grade." He says it looking back and forth towards you and the road. It was super cute the idea that Clyde found it exciting for someone to know each other for that long. You can't help yourself and smile at it.

"Wow, so you've kept in touch with her this whole time, yeah I know the whole small town thing probably helps as well, but it's also easy to get caught up with your own shit. That's great you go out of your way to visit with her."
He smiles and does a huff laugh, "I wasn't always great at it, it wasn't till after I came back..." He said with sadness. You knew what he was talking about it, you didn't have to ask further on what he meant. "We kind of became a support system for each other... my Ma's death was really hard for her; she said a piece of her went missing that day." You don't know if you should have done it, but it felt like it was the right thing to do instinctively. You reached over from the passenger seat and laid your hand over his that was placed on the gear shift. He quickly glanced at your hand on his and then back on the road. "It also happens to work out cause I knew where she was every Tuesday and Thursday" He chuckles to himself, you giggle along with him but continue to keep your hand on his, he gives you another quick glance and a smile.

"Well, she seems to be worried about you, so now I'm gonna get on your case about going and seeing her now as well." You giggle and Clyde smiles.

"Well you did say you were gonna make my life 100% easier, hoping maybe that would go beyond just work." He smiles and you can't help but smile back like it was contagious. Just like that the flutters in your stomach came back and for a little while you decided you were gonna just not fight it and let it happen. Your hand still on his, you felt like there was no rush coming from you or Clyde for that matter.