Page 11 of Ella’s Data

He shakes his head at me, then proceeds to give Gladys his own order as she chuckles. She’s an older woman, maybe mid-forties if I was guessing, and it’s obvious she’s good at what she does, because even though the diner is slowly filling up, she manages to stay on top of the customers she’s serving. “I’ll be back out with your drinks,” she says to me, then pointing at Data, she adds, “and your own personal carafe of coffee.”

“Thanks, Gladys,” he says.

“Okay, maybe my eyes were bigger than my stomach,” I state as I look at all the food that Gladys just dropped off. “I could’ve sworn I said two eggs scrambled, but that looks like four or five at least.”

“She knows whatever you don’t finish, I will,” he replies as he smoothes the butter over his stack of pancakes before he pours syrup over the whole thing.

“That’s probably true today but give me a day or two on the steroids and I’ll fight you,” I tell him.

“Just eat what you can, Ella. The portions here are bigger than the norm, and because you’re here with me, she’s used to how I plow through food.”

“Still a growing boy, huh?” I query, grinning at him.

He shrugs but makes no apologies whatsoever. “I know I handle the IT stuff for the club, but when there’s not much going on, I go over to the scrapyard and give them a hand.”

“What do you do?” I ask.

“Pull parts that folks are looking to buy, that kind of thing.”

“So, it’s physically challenging,” I state. “Makes sense because I’m sure by the time it’s lunch, you probably feel like you haven’t eaten.”

“Pretty much. Like I said, the security monitors run twenty-four/seven, but I can check them from my phone if needed. Unless I need my computers to run a search, I’d rather be out and about, pitching in where I can. Fresh air and all that jazz,” he replies.

“I need to find a gym to use while I’m here,” I muse.

“Use the one at the clubhouse,” he suggests.

“Are you sure it’d be okay?”

“Absolutely, but I’ll check with Rebel to make sure if you want me to,” he offers.

“Yeah, if you don’t mind. I don’t want him to think I’m invading y’all or taking advantage of my friendship with Fee.”

“Ella, he knows you’re going to be around for a bit, so it’s expected that you’d be at the clubhouse for some of it,” he replies. Looking over at my plates, he asks, “You finished eating?”

“I can’t eat another bite, so if you want it, take advantage now and remember, you’ve been warned about the steroids,” I jest.

“Naw, I’m good. You ready to go see the haunted house?” he questions.

CHAPTER

SEVEN

Data

“Oh, my God, yes!” she exclaims. I pull out my wallet, look at the bill, and toss enough to cover our breakfast as well as a healthy tip, before I stand and help her out of her side of the booth.

Passing Gladys, I tell her, “Left payment on the table for you since you’ve gotten swamped. Appreciate you taking care of us today, have a good one.”

“Thanks, Data. Nice to meet you, Ella, I’m sure I’ll see you again.”

Oh, I can count on her seeing Ella often. At least, as often as I can talk my woman into sharing a meal with me. After opening her door for her, I walk around the front of my truck and slip into the driver’s seat. “You ready?” I ask as I crank up my other girl and listen to the engine purr.

“I can’t wait to see it,” she says, turning to look at me. “Is it spooky scary or gory scary?”

“There’s a difference?” I muse, smirking at her.

“Yes, there most certainly is! Spooky means things jump out at you, or scary music plays as you walk down a dark hallway, while gory is just what it implies. Think Jason and Freddy Krueger.”