His Forever Love. Missy Tippens

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      He found her outside in his rental car. He opened his mouth and nearly said he was sorry, but then forced it shut. He felt awful, though.

      He really did need to get over the guilt of leaving Lindsay so long ago. He couldn’t allow it to color his decisions.

      No, he wouldn’t apologize. She had no right to keep interfering. Granny was his family, after all.

      As he turned the car toward Donna Rae’s house, he remembered Granny’s orders. He sighed.

      “What’s wrong?”

      “Granny gave me strict instructions to take you out for lunch.”

      “No, thanks. I have leftovers at home.”

      “She’ll fuss at me.”

      “She would, wouldn’t she?” She laughed. “Well, why don’t we stop and pick up something from Minnie’s to take home for all of us to eat.”

      “Minnie’s still in business?” Minnie’s Meat and Three. It had become his favorite restaurant once he hit a growth spurt in eighth grade and couldn’t ever seem to eat enough. The growth spurt continued all the way through high school.

      “She’s still open. I’m sure she’d love to see you.”

      He hadn’t had Minnie’s fried chicken in fifteen years. And he’d like to see her, too. “Good idea. My mouth’s watering just thinking about the chicken.”

      As they walked in the restaurant, there was a perceptible hush, a lull in the conversation.

      Lindsay realized that most people, even if they knew who he was, wouldn’t recognize him. Some wouldn’t even remember him.

      He was so smart and good-looking. She couldn’t help but wonder why he’d never married. Maybe he’d never found someone to share his passion for physics. He’d loved the subject from the time he was old enough to read—in kindergarten, according to Granny Bea. When he’d moved to town the summer after fourth grade, Lindsay often found him outside, perched in the mimosa tree, reading thick nonfiction books about atomic particles that he’d checked out from the library.

      He touched her elbow and guided her to a table, acting as if they weren’t the center of attention. She was afraid their appearance together might become a topic for gossip.

      When they sat, he whispered, “I can’t believe I decided to come here. Too many people. All staring.”

      “Many probably don’t recognize you. They’ll assume I’ve got a boyfriend from out of town.”

      “Should I stand and state my name, tell them we’re not a couple? Then ask them to quit staring?” His golden-brown eyes sparked with warmth.

      “Maybe once your novelty wears off, you’ll have some peace.”

      “My novelty will never wear off. I’ve always been considered an oddball.”

      “Well, I’ll be,” Minnie said in her deep, husky, smoker’s voice as she approached the table. “My best customer has finally come home.”

      “Ms. Minnie, so good to see you.” He stood and hugged her, dwarfing her small frame.

      “Mercy, look at you, child. You grew up into the rafters and finally put some meat on your bones.”

      “It was your chicken, Ms. Minnie. If it hadn’t been for you, I would have been blown away by a good strong wind.”

      “Well, I’ll make sure you get all your favorites today.” She smiled at Lindsay. “Hey, Lindsay. Your regular?”

      “I can’t resist. And a plate for Granny Bea, as well, please. Everything to go.”

      Minnie hurried toward the kitchen, whistling “I’ll Fly Away.”

      They sat in silence. She ran her finger over a split in the laminated menu. “I know you visit your granny. How come I haven’t seen you in so many years?”

      “I’ve actually flown her up to visit me more often than I’ve come here. And my rare trips home have been very brief.” He darted a glance into her eyes, then looked away, toward the front door. “I guess we haven’t run into each other.”

      She couldn’t shake the feeling he’d avoided her.

      “Well, maybe you’ll see some old friends this time.”

      “I’m only here for Granny. But it’s nice to see Minnie.”

      Would he have ever come to see her? “You’ll have to go visit Pastor Eddie. He’d love to see you.”

      Minnie set two glasses of syrupy-thick sweet iced tea on the table. “On the house while you wait.” She tapped Bill on the shoulder. “So, sugar, what brings you to town after all this time?”

      “Granny took a fall. Broke her wrist.”

      “Bill Wellington, shame on you. You shouldn’t wait for a crisis to make you come home,” Minnie said.

      “I apologize. I’ve been in town, but haven’t made it over to the restaurant.”

      “I forgive you. This time.” Minnie shook her finger at him. “No excuses from now on.”

      “He won’t be able to resist your chicken now that he’ll have another taste,” Lindsay said.

      “See,” Ms. Minnie said almost like a frog croaking. “You can’t resist the people who care about you.”

      Lindsay laughed at the sounds Minnie managed to make, as well as the look on Bill’s face. Something inside fluttered. She felt…well…happy. It was almost as if she and Bill were spending time together as friends once again.

      “So how long are ya staying, sugar?”

      “Actually, I won’t be here but a few days,” he said, blowing the friendly little vision out of Lindsay’s mind. “I have to get back to my classes to prepare for finals.”

      “Well, you be sure to stop by next time.” Minnie patted him on the shoulder and walked away.

      Lindsay sipped her tea. “I’m sure my family will want to see you while you’re here.”

      “I’d like that.” He stretched his arms across the back of the booth, which emphasized how large he was. “You know, I’ll be glad to help you with your nephews anytime you need it, Lindsay.”

      “Okay.” Her heart squeezed. She forced herself to look him in the eye with a smile on her face. “Thank you.”

      “You’ve been a good friend to Granny. It’s the least I can do.”

      Yeah. A good friend to Granny. Not a word about what good friends they’d been years ago. Not a word about wanting to be her friend now. She clamped her teeth together so she could resist the urge to blurt out that he should head on back to Boston and leave them alone.

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