THE DAYS THAT STARTED TO FEEL LIKE HOME
Chapter 4
At noon, Ethan went to June’s diner.
He didn’t need to think about where to eat anymore.
He simply walked in.
The bell above the door rang.
June looked up from behind the counter.
“You’re late.”
Ethan stopped.
“Again?”
“You said you’d come at eleven thirty.”
“I never said that.”
June pointed toward a clock.
“It’s twelve.”
“So?”
“So you’re late.”
Ethan sat at the counter.
“I don’t remember agreeing to anything.”
June placed a cup of coffee in front of him.
“You don’t have to.”
Ethan looked at the cup.
“You already made it.”
“Yes.”
“You knew I’d come.”
June shrugged.
“You always do.”
Ethan looked around.
The diner was half full.
Two fishermen argued about the weather.
A woman near the window was reading a newspaper.
A couple shared a plate of fries.
Someone in the corner laughed loudly.
Ethan took a sip of coffee.
June put a plate in front of him.
“Eat.”
“What is it?”
“Chicken sandwich.”
“I didn’t order.”
“You don’t have to.”
Ethan looked at her.
“Everyone in this town does that.”
June smiled.
“Does what?”
“Feeds me.”
“You’re skinny.”
Ethan looked down at himself.
“I’m not.”
“You were.”
“Was?”
“Before Greyhaven.”
Ethan laughed.
June walked away.
He looked at the sandwich.
Then at the window.
Rain had started again.
Softly.
He took a bite.
It was good.
Maybe too good.
That was another problem.
He was starting to know what things in Greyhaven tasted like.
Which bakery had the best bread.
Which diner made the strongest coffee.
Which fisherman always exaggerated his stories.
Which shopkeeper would give him a discount and pretend it wasn’t one.
The town was becoming familiar in ways he hadn’t expected.
