Carrie burst out laughing, and her mother joined in until tears rolled down their cheeks.
“And what did you say?” Carrie prompted, knowing her mother.
“I looked at your father, gasped, and said, ‘Do you really think I spent that much?’？”
The comment told her how often her father went shopping. He probably believed bread still cost twenty-five cents a loaf.
Her mother grew serious. “You meant it, didn’t you? About not being upset I commandeered your room?”
“Not upset as much as surprised. No wonder you wanted me out of the house. You needed the room for all this equipment and for your fabric stash.”
The two hugged. “Now, where did you say my biking gear was?”
“In the garage. I’ve got it tucked away in boxes. Come on, I’ll help you find it.”
* * *
—
A half hour later, Carrie was at Green Lake straddling her bike, patiently waiting for Justin, who was notoriously late. She should have known he’d be thirty minutes behind schedule. Normally, she’d tell him an earlier time to compensate for his lateness.
When he finally rode up and joined her, she looked pointedly at the time.
“Don’t give me grief. You know I’m always late,” he said, charming her with his smile. He looked great, another bonus. They’d met in college in a study group and dated off and on through the years. The relationship had never been serious. Not on her end. Justin seemed to enjoy the chase, and the connection had never been strong enough for Carrie to take it seriously.
Carrie set her feet in the clips and glanced his way. “You ready?”
He laughed. “I’m always ready. You’re the one holding things up.”
That smile of his was far too convenient, and he used it effectively.
“Come on,” she said, adjusting the strap on her helmet as she prepared to join others circling the popular lake. The summer day was perfect for biking, the weather in the midseventies. Justin was good company. For all his faults, and they were plentiful, she enjoyed being with him.
The one serious drawback with Justin was his complete lack of ambition. He was content to work for a few weeks, then collect unemployment for as long as it lasted, while living at home.
To the best of her knowledge, he had never lived on his own. His mother was a soft touch and his father was out of the picture. Justin made it sound like he was doing his mother a favor by living at home. From short conversations she’d had with his mother, Carrie knew that wasn’t the case.
At the end of their ride, they were both sweaty and in need of a break.
“How about grabbing lunch?” Justin suggested.
“Sure.”
“Hot dogs and soda?”
“Perfect.” It’d been a month or longer since Carrie had enjoyed her guilty pleasure. Frank and Mustard’s was a favorite stand of hers, with their specialty hot dogs. No inside seating, although there were plenty of tables with umbrellas for alfresco dining. Carrie liked her hot dog piled high with jalape?os and coleslaw. Justin preferred chili dogs.
They parked their bikes at the stand provided and located an empty table. Carrie waited for Justin to place their order and reached for the money to pay for her own meal.
“Do you mind covering me?” he asked. “I’m a little short.”
Carrie paused. “Seems to me like I covered you the last time we were out.”
He shrugged. “Things are tough out there.”
This was his way of admitting his reputation had finally caught up with him. Justin seemed unable to hold down any position for longer than a few months.
After they’d graduated, Carrie had sympathized. Like Justin, she’d drifted from job to job herself. The difference was, she’d never left any position with hard feelings. Each one of her employers had been impressed with her work ethic and were sorry to see her go. By contrast, Justin either didn’t show up or made it known he’d prefer to get laid off.
Determined this would be the last time, Carrie took out extra money and handed it to Justin.
“Next time,” he promised.
She’d heard that before. Rather than stew about it, Carrie was determined to enjoy this special treat. Within a few minutes, Justin was back with two plates heaped high with their orders and large sodas. He pulled out the bench and sat down.
Savoring their food, they were silent for several minutes.
“Been missing you,” Justin said after he’d wolfed down his chili dog.
Carrie found it hard to believe and let the comment slide. He hadn’t called since her move into The Heritage. Hadn’t even sent a text. She was the one who’d asked him about biking this afternoon.