I made pancakes using Gus’s old recipe.
Served Dale his eggs over medium.
Brought the Miller boys chocolate milk.
And gave Mr. Haugen the pancakes he’d eaten for thirty-one years.
I warmed cinnamon rolls with extra frosting for the sisters from the flower shop.
Then I encouraged them to speak directly to each other.
For the first time in more than twenty years, they exchanged a few actual words.
It wasn’t much.
But it was something.
Later, I approached stool three.
“Morning, Ed. Coffee?”
He nodded.
“Yes, please.”
I poured his black coffee and brought him two slices of plain wheat toast.
He ate slowly.
Then carefully counted his coins.
One dollar and eighty-five cents.
“Thank you, Bev.”
I smiled.
“See you tomorrow, Ed.”
His eyes filled.
“Tomorrow.”
***
Chad worked in the dishwashing room until three o’clock.
He didn’t complain.
He listened.
And he began noticing things.
