Lance inhaled fragrant coffee and bacongrease, so when his waitress returned, he ordered a BLT sandwichwith French fries. He scrolled through the apps on his phone.Cutlery clinked on tables and scratched against plates.
He exhaled, feeling at peace with hisdecision. It wasn’t all about making money to live in the biggesthouse. Lance wanted an actual home, with people who loved him. Thenhis phone buzzed with a text.
2:45 PM... Andrea: Great news! I’ll be intown this weekend!
Lance smiled and messaged her back.
2:47 PM... Lance: Good cause I’m missingyou
2:50 PM... Andrea: Too sweet! I love you!Xoxo
Lance sighed. He would have to tell her aboutquitting his job. Would she support him if he made a career change?They wouldn’t suffer financially. Between the both of them, theyhad enough to live on until he decided his next move.
2:53 PM... Lance: Call me when you have aminute
No sense in procrastinating. When he heardher ringtone, he answered.
“What’s up?” Andrea sounded worried. “Didsomething happen?”
“No, everything’s cool. At least it willbe.”
“What does that mean?” She asked.
“I quit my dad’s firm.”
Silence.
“Babe?”
“Wow. Why?”
“I think I need a change. Besides, my dad andI are on two different planets when running a business.”
Silence again.
“Andrea? Honey?”
“Sorry, I was listening, but I’m reading anarticle that was posted by People magazine. I did anotherinterview.”
Lance ignored the empty feeling in hisstomach. When he needed her support the most, she wasn’t listening.He swallowed. “How did it go?”
“They can’t believe I’m getting married.” Shegroaned. “I’m sorry. You were talking, and I made this about me.What are you going to do?”
Lance smiled, appreciating her trying to dobetter. “I don’t know. We can talk more when you get here.”
“You sure? I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s fine. I’ll let you get back to work.Love you.”
“Love you.” She hung up.
Lance clutched his phone in his hand. Whatwas he going to do? Perhaps the town’s summer kickoff would do thetrick. It would be a great distraction for him to unwind. Hesighed, cupping his forehead.
***
The bright sun warmed the rich earth, warmingLance’s skin. He exited his car after parking on the curvedcul-de-sac. The summer kickoff had been a hit every year since hecould remember, but he loved that Delta Heights turned it into ablock party. He walked down the cement sidewalk, noticing balloonstied to mailboxes. They set barricades and cones up to stoptraffic, while tables lined the streets holding casseroles andcrock pots.
Then his eyes spotted a bouncy house and kidsplaying ball in the street. Scooters and bicycles passed by him ashe made his way closer to the festival. Music played through asound system while laughter and chatter filled the air.
The grilling of meat hissed and table clothsflapped in the breeze. Of all places, they held this towncelebration in Chantelle’s neighborhood. He hadn’t talked to hersince their trip to the wedding planner. It was best, and since shedidn’t call, he took the needed space.
His knees felt weak, but he moved forward tofind familiar faces, including hers. He needed to talk to Chantelleto get past the remaining attraction. Lance had to make itclear.
Then again, was it all in his head? Chantellewas seeing someone else. Perhaps it was his imagination. Chantellecould still care about him without it meaning anything, right? Wasit that simple? The love of his life leaving town once she finishedher job.
Lance’s eyes widened. Chantelle wasn’t thelove of his life anymore. Not with another woman wearing the ringhe proposed with. His stomach gnawed. Perhaps food would help.
“Glad you could make it,” Grant said with agrin.
He shook his friend’s hand. “Me too.”
“Your parents joining us later?”
“You know they prefer to stay to themselves.”His parents thought they were above such gatherings. Unless it wasa black-tie event, the Taylors didn’t show for “mundane affairs” ashis mother called it.
Grant shrugged. “Well, we’ve got plenty offood so come on and eat.”
Smoke from the grill filled Lance’s lungs ashe served himself a plate. Sitting at one table, his stomachapproved of the potato salad, boiled corn, and the smoked chicken.The wind teased his skin as he ate, and he appreciated the coolbreeze. Then he saw… her.
Dressed in fitted jeans and a short-sleevedtank top, Chantelle made the simplest clothes look breathtaking.Hair in a high ponytail, she chatted with Elise. Lance didn’t knowwhat the conversation was about, but the way her arms flung in theair, she was showing her passion with a smile on that gorgeous faceof hers. Finishing his meal, he wiped his hands clean with anapkin, and tossed his trash in a nearby trash bin.
“Get enough?” Douglas asked.
Lance had to admit he liked her stepfather,especially after he watched the trauma of the Woods’ family losingChantelle’s father. Lance was glad the family was doing better.Douglas seemed to be the right fit for them. “Yes sir, you outdidyourself on the meat.”
“Thank you, Lance.” He gestured at the foilpan in his hand, filled with more meat. “Not finished yet.” Douglasheaded back to the grill.
Grant nodded. “I don’t know how he does it.Mom must have begged him to cook.”
“Some men can.”
His friend pointed at him. “I’m not one forthe kitchen. I’ve told you that.”
Lance chuckled at his friend. At that moment,the women walked over, Elise and Chantelle.
“What’s so funny?” Elise asked. Grant broughther to sit in his lap and kissed her cheek.
“Nothing much. Grant can’t cook.” Lancereplied.
“Tell us something we don’t know.” Chantellefolded her arms.
“What about our senior year cook-off?” Grantreminded them. “I cooked a mean shrimp pasta.”
“Too much salt.” Lance pointed out.
Elise hugged her husband’s neck. “Leave thecooking to me. Save us all the trouble, please?”
“Fine.” Then the music changed to a slowR&B song. Lance recognized the tune, “Slow Jam” by Usher andMonica. Grant motioned for him and Elise to dance. They walked tothe street along with the other couples.
Lance watched as
