Page 55 of Real Forever
“It’s a heaping load of hot stinking fucking bullshit.”
“It is.”
“Two Prairie Burgers with poutine?” The waitress appeared at the table, setting down two giant plates of food.
Jake gave her a slight smile and nod.
“Thank you,” Madison said.
He spread his napkin across his lap and cut the huge burger in half with his steak knife. Madison picked hers up whole and chomped down, squirting sauce all over her plate, while Jake carefully sunk his teeth into the first half of his burger.
“Wow. You weren’t kidding. This is amazing.”
Madison grinned up at him, Saskatoon berry jam and barbecue sauce dribbling off her chin.
23
Madison
Lauren had already placeda large bowl of salad in the center of the table and Madison was setting silverware beside each of the four plates when the doorbell rang.
“Uncle Jakey,” Maisie squealed.
Madison followed Maisie to the front door.
“Hey, come on in,” she greeted Jake with a smile and took his jacket. He was wearing dark wash jeans and a light gray cable-knit sweater. Madison resisted the urge to snuggle into him.
“Hey.” He leaned in to her and placed a soft kiss on her cheek, sending shivers across Madison’s neck.
Maisie grabbed his hand and pulled him into the kitchen. Lauren was standing at the counter wearing a bright white cotton apron and slicing chicken on a wooden cutting board. Jake approached her, holding out the bottle of wine he’d brought for her.
“Hi, Jake. It’s great to see you. We’re so happy you could come tonight.” She wiped her hands on her apron and gave Jake a warm hug with her arms and wrists, holding her messy hands away from his shirt.
Jake hugged her back with one arm. “Thank you so much for inviting me. Can I leave this here for you?” He motioned at the counter with the bottle of wine.
“Oh sure. You didn’t need to bring anything, Jake. Thanks so much.”
Before long, the four of them were seated around the table, enjoying salad and pasta à la Madison, a pasta, chicken, and bacon dish Lauren had invented and named after its biggest fan.
“What’s for dessert, Mommy?” Maisie asked, only halfway through her dinner.
Lauren regarded her sternly. “I don’t know, my love. I’m not sure if you should have any dessert tonight because you have been ignoring Mommy today instead of listening and that’s not very nice.”
Maisie lowered her head. “I’m sorry Mommy. I’ll say sorry and give you a kiss and a hug.”
“Kisses and hugs are all nice things to do, but what I really wish is that you would listen when I ask you to do something.”
“Oh.” Maisie paused, thinking. “No thank you.”
Lauren closed her eyes and drew a sharp inhale through her nose, but Jake and Madison both spurted out choked laughs from behind their hands.
“Little girl,” Lauren began, but was interrupted by the side door opening and the sound of large, booted feet stomping on the mat.
Madison and Lauren exchanged confused glances.
“Dave?” Lauren called out.
There was no response, but a moment later Dave appeared from the hall, carrying a clanking box of Budweiser.
