Page 14 of Catching the Coach
“You guys haven’t had dinner yet?”
I pause before answering him, feeling like that’s a loaded question. However, Hudson answers for me.
“No, we’re going to go get pizza from Tony’s. Have you ever had their pizza? Mom says everyone else doesn’t rate.”
This kid, I swear.
Kessler chuckles. “I have been to Tony’s.” He pauses and gives me a look. “And your mom’s right, no one else rates.”
Why do I feel like he means something else?
“You should come with us,” Hudson suggests enthusiastically.
Shit.
“Oh bud, I’m sure Mr. Davis…”
“Kessler,” Kessler says, interrupting me.
I give a small huff. “I’m sureKesslerhas other things to do.” I raise both my eyebrows, suggesting he agree with me.
Kessler smiles like the Cheshire cat fromAlice in Wonderland. “Actually, I was just going to go home and have boring rice and steamed vegetables, but Tony’s sounds like a much better option. That is, if your mom doesn’t mind me tagging along?”
Hudson turns to me with puppy dog eyes. “You don’t mind, right Mom?”
Well hell, how can I say no to that face.
I sigh looking from Hudson to Kessler. “How can I deny anyone Tony’s?”
CHAPTERFIVE
kessler
She’s annoyed.I can see it all over her face, but she won’t say anything in front of Hudson. We pull into the parking lot for Tony’s. After we get out of our cars, I jog ahead to open the door for them. Lucy gives me a tight smile as she walks through. I follow them in and inhale the aroma that is Tony’s. The scent of pizza dough and various spicy meats smack me in the face, making my mouth water. So much better than steamed veggies and rice. We make our way over to the counter and Tony himself pops out of the back.
“Kessler!” He shouts in greeting with his mild Italian accent. He immigrated here when he was 10 with his parents and four siblings. His accent has softened through the 50 years he’s lived here. “My Lucy and Little Hud too? What a special day. Come, come sit. I will get you the usuals, yes?”
His Lucy?
Lucy and I look at each other then nod our heads at Tony. We take our seats in one of the booths while Tony rushes off to the back. It’s busy, as usual, but we’ve missed the big dinner rush. No one seems to notice me, thankfully. I want to have dinner with Lucy and Hudson with no distractions. Get to know them more, maybe convince Lucy to go out with me again.
“So how did you discover Tony’s?” I ask, starting the conversation.
She sets her water down after taking a sip and fidgets with the glass, spinning it in its place. “I actually waited tables here in college.”Well, that explains why Tony called herhisLucy.She pulls her top lip into her mouth, biting it before speaking again. “Tony’s oldest daughter, Izzie, babysat Hudson for me off and on while I was going to school and working.” She gives Hudson a smile and ruffles his hair. “They’re like our extended family.”
Hudson pipes up, “Yeah, even though it’s just me and Mom, we still have a big family. Mom says family doesn’t always have to be blood. Right, Mom?” He looks at her and she gives him a warm smile.
“That’s exactly right, bud. Family is what you make it.”
Watching Lucy with her son makes me think back to the conversation I had with my mom earlier in the week. My mom’s right.
Damnit.
I want someone, or someone’s to call my family. I mean, yeah I have my parents and brother, but I don’t have someone to share my life with. I feel my heartbeat increase as I realize that weird feeling I’ve been having, that ache in my chest, is loneliness… I want a family. That shouldn’t surprise me, it’s not like I’ve always been one to sleep around with multiple women. I’ve just never found anyone that holds my interest for more than a few months, or who I’ve been interested in enough to want more than a surface relationship with. Most women just want me for my bank account or status.
I look at the woman sitting in front of me. She doesn’t want anything from me, and yet I have the urge to give her everything. Which is crazy because I know virtually nothing about her. Yet, that feeling, that urge, is there.
Hudson suddenly gets up from the booth. “Be right back, I need to go to the bathroom!” he yells over his shoulder jogging to where the bathrooms are.
