Page 41 of Blind Date
“What was that?”
“Nothing. I wouldn’t dream of it.” I smiled.
A waitress walked over, holding her notepad and a pen in her hand.
“Samantha.” She bent down and gave her a hug. “How are you, sweetheart?”
“I’m good, Linda. I’m so happy you’re back. I’ve missed you. How are you feeling?”
“I missed seeing you, too, sweetheart. I’m all better and back to myself.”
“That’s awesome.” Sam smiled.
“Who’s this?” She pointed at me.
“This is Weston Castile. Wes, this is Linda. She’s been here, like, forever.”
She stared me up and down. I felt as if I were being judged.
“Castile. Castile. As in Castile Properties? The same Castile Properties that tried to evict poor Mr. Avila?”
“That situation has been rectified. Mr. Avila isn’t going anywhere.”
Why I was defending myself to this diner woman, I had no idea.
“What can I get you two to drink?” Linda asked.
“I’ll have a Coke with lots of ice.” Samantha smiled.
“I don’t suppose you serve alcohol here?” I asked.
Linda laughed. “In this hole in the wall? No. We have Coke products, tea, coffee, water, juice, and shakes.”
“Is the water bottled?”
“Listen, Mr. Castile. I know darn well this isn’t your kind of place. And I’m not sure how Sammy here got you to come in, but this is a diner, not Daniel.”
“I’ll have a Coke,” I sighed.
Chapter Seventeen
Weston
“Two Cokes coming up. Look at the menu, and I’ll be back to take your order.”
Sam pulled two menus that were being held up by the metal napkin holder and handed me one. It was laminated. I hadn’t seen one of these in years, or maybe never. I glanced over the menu. All I could see in my head was the chalkboard near the entrance with the ridiculous writing.
“What exactly is a patty melt?” I asked Sam.
“Huh? You’ve never had a patty melt before?”
“No. I can’t say that I have.”
“Weston.” She cocked her head.
“What?”
“This is a tragedy,” she said.
