After working two long nights for the convention, she switched a shift with another sous chef to have the evening free when her brothers had announced they would be sleeping at their friend Steve’s.
Leaving the dock around four, Joseph got into his car to head home to shower, change, and relax a bit before picking up Jewel. But once more he saw Lesley and Wesley’s truck pulling up to a diner across the street from the docks. He was about to call a greeting when something stopped him. Three young men got out, and then another man, a bit older came out of the diner to greet them. Something about that man stopped him cold. He looked vaguely familiar.
The older guy, somewhere in his mid to late twenties handed them a roll of bills. Wesley pocketed the cash, and then all four went inside together laughing.
Seeing the three young man head into the restaurant and slide into a booth by the window, he continued to watch them as he headed to his car. He could see through the plate glass windows, and all four of them were discussing something very animatedly. The young boy who had gotten out of the twins’ truck was shaking his head vehemently, and left abruptly. He looked upset, too. He came back outside, pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, and lit one up. He took several puffs and rocked on his heels. He was clearly agitated.
Joseph felt guilty watching them, but his hackles had been raised once more. He had been young, and their behavior was just all too familiarly suspicious. They were teens, well, all of them except the one who greeted them. They could be trying to score some beer, maybe a friendly bet, but still he was curious to see how the situation panned out. He didn’t want them getting into some kind of trouble, serious trouble. They were just about to start their college experience. He hoped it was nothing that would put that at risk.
When Lesley came out, he saw the more serious of the twins place his hand on the other youth’s shoulder. The kid tried to shrug it off. But then, Lesley kept talking, clapped him on the back, and the shorter fellow glanced over his shoulder and looked inside. Wesley was beckoning him to come back inside. Maybe that was their friend, Steve. But he was short. Too short for being a serious track and field star. But he couldn’t be sure.
When the two went back inside, Joseph started his car, and once again wondered if he should mention it to Jewel. But he decided against it. He wasn’t going that route again. Not wanting to ruin their evening together, and remembering how defensive she had gotten the last time, he decided to keep this one to himself. For now. But he would continue to watch out for her brothers for her. Both were fabulous athletes, and he didn’t want them to screw it up. Maybe he might get them alone some time, offer them some words of wisdom and advice. Man to man.
Feeling good about his decision, he headed home for a shower and a bit of down time before he headed to pick up Jewel. He was very much looking forward to having a real date, and then a relaxing time at home. And their first actual sleepover. He felt like a schoolboy thinking about it. She had wedged herself into his heart.
He grimaced to himself at those word. Yes, it might just be time to introduce her to his mom. And bring her around to a family dinner. His mom was still hinting. Earlier today she’d mentioned that she wanted everyone to come over next weekend. On Sunday. He even confided in her about his growing feelings. He hadn’t said he loved her, but he had admitted that he hoped this relationship would last. He was considering his mother’s proposal. They hadn’t had all of the family together in a few weeks. Yes, it just might be time to introduce her to his family. And the twins.
*
When Joseph knocked on Jewel’s door at precisely seven, she looked phenomenal. She had her hair down, and he loved it that way. It hung across her shoulders like a wave of black silk. He’d told her to be comfortable and warm. She had on jeans and a sweater. For the end of April, the days were warm, but the nights still got a tad chilly.
She gave him a bright smile and clasping his hand, she carefully maneuvered down the rickety porch stairs. She was glad to be leaving the run down trailer. She’d already started to pack. The small house on the reserve would be available the first of May. May Day. And that was just days away.
“So, where are we going?” she asked. “One of the other casinos? You said dinner, but there isn’t many places nearby unless we’re heading into Mystic.”
“The Oyster Club. In Mystic,” he confirmed to her bright smile.
He opened the door to his car for her, and she slid inside fastening her own seatbelt. He quickly made his way to his side and got in.