Some I collected around the lake, some I bought in town at the garden shop.
And how did you get them back here?
I carried them, he said, looking at me like it was a crazy question.
So you don't drive? I asked. You walk everywhere?
Yes, he answered, shrugging.
Okay, enough with the twenty questions, he said. What about you? What are you doing in Pelion?
I studied him for a second before answering, his golden brown eyes trained on me, waiting for what I was going to say. I'm sort of on a road trip–I started, but then I stopped. No, you know what? I ran away, I said. My dad… passed away and… some other stuff happened that I had a hard time handling, and I freaked out and I ran away. I sighed. That's the truth of it. I'm not sure why I just told you that, but that's the truth of it.
He studied me for a little longer than I was comfortable with, feeling exposed, so I looked away. When I saw his hands move in my peripheral vision, I looked back at him. Is it working? He asked.
"Is what working?" I whispered.
Running away, he said. Is it helping?
I stared at him. Mostly, no, I finally answered.
He nodded, staring at me thoughtfully before looking away.
I was glad he didn't try to come up with something encouraging to say. Sometimes an understanding silence was better than a bunch of meaningless words.
I looked around the immaculate yard, to the small house, compact but well kept. I wanted to ask him how he had the money to live out here, but I didn't think that was polite. He probably lived off of some insurance policy his uncle had left him… or maybe his parents. God, he had had so many losses.
So Archer, I finally said, moving the conversation in another direction, that cooking lesson I mentioned… Are you free this Saturday? Your place. Five o'clock? I raised an eyebrow.
He smiled slightly. I don't know. I'll have to check with my social secretary.
I snorted. You being funny?
He raised an eyebrow.
Better, I said.
He smiled bigger. Thank you, I've been working on it.
I laughed. His eyes twinkled and moved to my mouth. Those butterflies took flight again and we both looked away.
After a little bit, I gathered up my stuff and my little dog, said goodbye to Archer, and started walking up the driveway.
When I got to the gate, I paused, looking back at the small house behind me. It suddenly occurred to me that Archer Hale had taught himself an entire language, but hadn't had a single person to talk to.
Until me.
**********
The next day, as I was carrying a reuben with a side of fries to Cal Tremblay and a BLT with a side of potato salad to Stuart Purcell at table three, the bell rung over the door and I looked up to see Travis walking in wearing his uniform. He smiled big at me and gestured to the counter, asking if I was working it. I smiled and nodded, saying quietly, "Be right there."
I delivered the food in my hands, refilled their waters and then walked back behind the counter where Travis was now sitting.
"Hey," I greeted him, smiling. "How are you?" I held up the coffee pot and raised my brows questioningly.
"Please," he said to the coffee and I started pouring. "I've been trying to call you," he said. "Are you avoiding me?"
"Avoiding–oh crap! I ran out of minutes. Damn." I put my palm to my forehead. "Sorry, I have one of those pay-as-you-go phones, and I rarely use it."
He raised his eyebrows. "Isn't there any family back home that you keep in touch with?"
I shook my head. "A few friends, but my dad passed away six months ago and… no, there's really not."
"Jesus, I'm sorry, Bree," he said, concern filling his expression.
I waved it away. I refused to get emotional at work. "It's okay. I'm okay." I was mostly okay, sometimes okay. Better these days.
He studied me for a second. "Well, the reason I was calling you was to see if you'd like to do that dinner we talked about?"
I leaned my hip against the counter and smiled at him. "So you tracked me down when I didn't answer my phone?"
He grinned. "Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a high level, spy-caliber track down operation."
I laughed, but his wording reminded me of Archer and for some strange reason, something like guilt fluttered in my gut. What was that about? I had no idea. Our friendship was blossoming, but he was still closed off in many respects. I understood it I guessed, and it made me so mad that the whole dang town ignored him, when in fact, he was this incredibly smart, gentle man who as far as I could tell, had never done anything wrong to anyone. It wasn't fair.
"Hello, earth to Bree," Travis said, snapping me out of my reverie. I had been staring out the window.
I shook my head slightly. "I'm sorry, Travis. I just got caught up in my own thoughts there for a minute. My brain can seriously be a black hole sometimes." I laughed softly, embarrassed. "Anyway, uh, sure I'll go to dinner with you."