I pulled up to the diner. The new sign stood out against the parapet that had housed the Devil Dog Diner sign for years. Now Abby’s Place, it was only a matter of time before the establishment was going to be crawling with her loyal fans and followers.

Hashtag it’s not that bad was trending on Twitter and Instagram for two weeks following her funeral. As soon as everyone found out this was her favorite diner, the place would be a mad house.

I parked my Harley at the curb, hoping to get a plate of pancakes before the day started. For the last two weeks, my nights had been spent on the deck, watching old YouTube videos. Despite my open mind and hopeful heart, I had yet to see any sign of Abby’s existence beyond earth.

It was nice to think about, though.

An eternal life with her.

I grinned as I pushed the diner’s door open.

Lawson waved over his shoulder. “Anywhere you like.”

“George still on vacation?” I asked.

“He’ll be back Monday,” he said.

I took a seat in the booth marked, “If you’re not Abby or Porter, please be kind enough to take another seat,” and sat down.

As Lawson walked past, I gave a nod. “Short stack,” I said.

“Bacon?” he asked.

I smiled. “Please.”

I missed Abby dearly. At first, I wondered if I could continue to live, and feared I’d die of nothing short of a broken heart. Although it wasn’t easy, and I knew it never would be, it was getting manageable.

I spent my days numb to the world, and to most of those in it. I wasn’t bitter, because I knew being so wouldn’t please Abby. And, above all things, I wanted to please Abby no differently than if she was still at my side.

After finishing my pancakes, I inched to the back of the booth and glanced around the restaurant. The typical Sunday breakfast crowd was in, which filled the place completely. I peered out the window, and into the street. A tattered Volkswagen Beetle pulled up to the curb and performed an expert parallel parking maneuver.

As I mentally applauded, a dark-haired girl got out of it. She wore a flowered dress. It was one of Abby’s staples. Seeing it caused me to smile.

She flipped a backpack over her shoulder, walked to the door, and pushed it open. After scanning the diner, she let out a sigh.

Then, she began to walk in my direction.

I ducked under the partition, not wanting to be caught staring, and certainly not wanting to talk. She probably felt that my booth was empty, as I was slumped out of view.

If nothing else, she’d see the sign on the table when she walked past.

Sure enough, her shadow appeared at my side.

“Oh, shoot,” she said. “I thought this was empty.”

I shook my head without looking up. “Sorry.”

“I’m guessing you’re Porter,” she said.

I rubbed the outline of the ring that was still occupying my left pocket and offered her a smile. “I am.”

I almost choked when I saw what she was wearing on her feet.

Converse Chucks.

My face flashed hot. A lump rose into my throat. I swallowed heavily, but the lump remained. “You can uhhm.” I wiped my brow with my forearm. “You can have a seat here.”

She leaned forward and glanced at the sign that sat in the center of the table. “But, I’m not Abby.”

With a shaking hand, I waved toward the open seat across from me. “Have a seat, she won’t mind.”

My heart was racing. It was more than likely a coincidence, but I liked thinking it wasn’t. The thought of Abby managing to communicate with me excited me. As my skin began to tingle, the woman slid her backpack into the booth, took a seat, and let out a sigh.

“It was a long drive,” she said.

“Where’d you come from?”

“Connecticut,” she smiled. “It took me two weeks to get here. When I left, I had no idea where I was going. Isn’t that crazy? I knew I needed to move, I just didn’t know where I was going. I looked at each city I stopped in, and nothing felt like home. It’s strange, but I feel like I belong here. It looks like I’ve found my new home.”

My heart raced. “What uhhm. Where about in Connecticut?”

She smiled. “Bridgeport.”

Abby was from Bridgeport. Another coincidence, I was sure. At least I was sure for a moment. Then, I began to wonder.

Abby, if this is you. I need to be sure. I want to believe it is, but…

I looked at the women and managed a slight smile. She glanced over each shoulder, and then met my gaze.

“So, Porter, what’s this place’s best breakfast meal?”

“Pancakes,” I said, reaching for my wallet. “You’ve got to try the pancakes.”

She brushed her hair over her ear, and then scratched the bottom of her nose with her finger. “Pancakes are the F-ing best.”

Every hair on my body stood on end. My hands shook so violently I had to sit on them. While I stared back at her, in awe of what I’d seen, I recited what Abby had instructed me to.

God,

This is Porter.

I pressed my tongue against the roof of my dry mouth, swallowed heavily, and continued.

Porter Reeves.

Forgive me for my sins.

I stood, steadied my legs with my hands, and tossed a one-hundred-dollar bill on the table. I offered the woman a genuine smile. “Welcome to the SD. That’s what we call it, SD.” I nodded toward the table. “That’ll take care of the meal. Enjoy your breakfast.”

“You’re not going to stick around?”

“I uhhm. I’ve got to go see someone.”

She flashed me the peace sign. “Keep the shiny side up.”

I hadn’t even told her I was riding a motorcycle, but somehow, she knew. Claiming coincidence after coincidence was no longer possible.

I nodded. “I’ll do my best.”

She brushed her hair over her ear and did the nose scratching thing again. “Well, it was nice to meet you. I’m Ally.”

I rubbed the hairs on the back of my neck and smiled. I couldn’t help it. “Nice to meet you, Ally.”

On my way to the door, I asked Lawson to allow Ally to finish her meal at Abby’s table. Feeling an odd sense of humility, I walked to my motorcycle, paused, and lowered my head.

Thank you, Baby. I hope you were right about him forgiving me for my sins. I pushed my left hand into my pocked and squeezed the ring. If he did, and I end up at your side one day, I’ve got a surprise for you.

I love you, Baby.

I got on my motorcycle, started it, and strapped on my helmet. I glanced into the restaurant, took one last look at Ally, and then gazed up at the sky.

Thank you, Lord.