The Girl With the Pink Bat
Copyright© 2025 by DB86
Chapter 4
I showed Ray the guest room and told him to make himself at home.
“Take whatever time you need to freshen up and get settled. There are towels in the closet. I’ll be doing some work in the living room. Don’t hesitate to holler if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Kara. For everything.”
I dug my hand into my pocket and withdrew a key. “Here’s a key to the place.”
He smiled at me. “I’m officially your guest.”
I went back to the living room and worked on a budget for a home-renovation project.
When I finished, I thought Ray had had enough time to freshen up and unpack his clothes.
I knocked on his door. “Ray, I thought about having dinner at the local restaurant. Why don’t you come along? Keep me company.”
He shook his head. “I’m not hungry.”
He looked pretty thin. He’d always been a slim man, but now he looked ... hollow. He was definitely leaner than when I’d last seen him.
I wondered when the last time was he had a proper meal.
“When you taste Tony’s pasta, you will get hungry,” I assured him jokingly. “He is the best chef in the state, and he became one of my best friends after you left town.”
I hooked my arm on his and started walking us toward the front door.
He could’ve been rude and pulled away. But he followed.
“Don’t matter none if you’re not hungry,” I said. “You just sit there. I’ll eat enough for both of us. I hate eating by myself.” I grinned at him. “I won’t even make you talk if you don’t want to. I’ve been known to carry on a whole conversation by myself. So you don’t have to worry about anything. Just having you around will do me well enough.”
“It’s been a long day,” Ray said, as I stopped to open the door. A last attempt for escape. “I’d like some rest.” He unhooked her arm from mine.
I knew it was an excuse. I wouldn’t let him wallow in his misery.
I grinned up at him, my eyes hopeful and encouraging. “You can sleep the whole day tomorrow if you like,” I told him. Then I gave him a serious, probing look. “Just don’t make me eat alone, Ray.”
I was sure he knew exactly what it was like to eat alone every night.
“Okay,” he relented. “Let me get a jacket.”
The night was cloudy, the wind was soft. We walked side by side in the cold evening. I was close enough to him to smell his scent. A wave of memories assailed me as my nostrils filled with his scent. He smelled exactly as I remembered. It was so startling; I didn’t even register when he hooked his arm with mine again.
As the nostalgia hit, I remembered distinctly what it’d been like to go through high school together. I recalled the sharp feeling of excitement I had experienced when I realized I was in love with him. How I’d lay awake at night, hugging my pillow, imagining it was Ray.
Every once in a while, I glanced over at Ray only to be met with his eyes focusing ahead.
We carried on walking in the deafening silence.
“There’s the restaurant,” I said, pointing across the square.
“Oh, good,” Ray said, following me as I made my way toward a crosswalk. “The Jammed,” he said, reading the big sign in the front of the restaurant, “I can relate to the name.”
“It’s owned by Red Harding and Tony Marino, the chef I told you before. The restaurant brought new life to our town.”
“Red Harding? I remember him from high school. He was a farm boy; he and Kat were inseparable.”
“They are married now,” I said.
“Oh, I’m happy for them.”
Ray moved aside to let me precede him. It felt funny, being the recipient of his chivalry. He’d opened the front door for me already, and then he was letting the lady go first. It was disconcerting and boldly reminded me how male he was.
The hostess smiled at our approach.
“Good evening, Kara. Is it the two of you tonight?” she asked, already grabbing a pair of menus.
“Yes, Kat. Thank you. Remember Ray Clarke?”
Her forehead folded in a frown. And then, her eyes shone with recognition.
“Of course, welcome back to Middletown, Ray. You two were joined at the hip back then. I hope you enjoy your stay in our town.”
“Thank you,” he said. “I’m sure I will.”
When we were seated near the dance floor, I plopped down in my seat before Ray could do something crazy, like hold out my chair for me.
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