There was a shopping list under a magnet on her refrigerator. I bypassed the kitchen island and shouldered my way in to read it. Brown rice, milk, eggs, hand lotion. Bluebird Chocolates. “What about the key lime yogurt? Greek style?”
“Are you all right, Luke?”
No. Where was my key lime yogurt? I pulled the list from the refrigerator and then awakened from my idiot-trance. Quickly, I stuffed it back under the magnet.
“Sorry.” I winced and went to the sink. No more lemonade. I needed clear, pure water. Where were the drinking glasses? Oh, yeah. I pushed aside the potted plant and opened the corner cupboard, pulling out a tall glass and racing for the tap to fill it up. I glugged it down, and then noticed Sheridan’s stare.
I held the glass at my mouth for a long moment, like a guilty party caught.
“What?”
“How did you know where I keep my drinking glasses?”
“Um.” I scoured my empty brain for an excuse. “Lucky guess?” I scanned the counter and grabbed a flier, studying it like it had the answer to my future. “Are you going to the earthquake commemoration?” I held it by the edge, waving it like a doofus, already knowing that she was going to the event.
What was it about her that turned me into a complete goof?
Sheridan eyed me, measuring, as if for a straight jacket. “Isn’t everyone?”
Should I ask her to go with me, as in, on a date? I gazed down at her. “My price for the oil change is that you tell me more about you.”
“Oh?” she said, blinking. “Like what?”
Like, everything. Where should I start?
“Do you remember the quake?” I asked softly. Staring at her, I felt like every instant of my life was the eternal now. I could recall childhood, all of my past, and see my whole future reflected in her eyes. “It was an intense day.”
She nodded, but didn’t speak yet. Her gaze darted between my eyes, like she was sleuthing out all my secrets, like she could see things about me that even I didn’t know yet.
Her lips parted, and she was about to answer, when—
“Knock, knock.” The front door opened, and in walked Sheridan’s mom, Kendy Allen. “Oh, I heard you might be here today, Luke, darling.”
Darling. She called me darling. “Oil change.”
“Aren’t you just the most selfless person. I heard you weren’t even going to charge Sheridan for the service.”
Oh, I was charging her, all right. I wouldn’t be paid today, apparently.
But soon.
“King and I wondered if you’d like to do some gardening work with us.”
“Mom, he’s busy.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “He’s injured.”
“No, I’m not. When? I’ll be there. I love working in the yard.”
Sheridan winced. “Luke, you don’t have to.”
Oh, but I did.