I planned on letting Molly drive my car into town for her new job at the restaurant, but I changed my mind.

“Change of plans,” I announced, when she got back from the showers and dropping Timmy off with Julie. “I’ll drive you to work. It turns out I need the car after all.”

“You do?” Molly frowned. “Did something come up?”

“Nothing serious, but I do have a few errands I want to take care of in town,” I lied. The truth was I intended to surprise her and stop by for lunch, along with Timmy, but I didn’t want Molly to know that. “I hope you don’t mind. I know I said you could borrow the car.”

“Of course I don’t mind,” she assured me. “As long as I get there on time.”

“I’ll make sure you get there, and I’ll be back to pick you up, too. I know this is a big day for you.”

“It’s a job in a diner, as a short order cook,” Molly countered. “It’s hardly momentous.”

“Yes, it is,” I insisted. “It’s a major step toward independence.” She might try to downplay it, but I knew that was how she viewed it, and I agreed. I understood how badly she wanted to prove to herself, to her son, to everyone, that she could make it on her own. “So, let’s go.”

The campground was only about five miles from Endings, so it was a short drive. It was a good thing, because Molly wasn’t very talkative, instead opting to stare out the window.

“Are you nervous?” I asked.

“A little,” she admitted. “Does that sound silly?”

“I don’t think so,” I said. “I mean, think of what could go wrong. You might burn someone’s toast, or cook their eggs the wrong way.” I was only kidding, but the look Molly shot made it very clear that she wasn’t amused.

“You aren’t helping. You know that, right?”

“I was only kidding,” I said, but now opted for a serious tone and expression. “Sorry. I know you won’t mess up anyone’s order. You’re going to do great.” I eased the car into the restaurant’s parking lot. It wasn’t even eight, but the place was already busy. When Molly talked with the manager about the job, we learned it was open twenty-four hours. It worked out perfectly, because the cook they needed was for the day shift.

“Do you want me to go inside with you?” I offered.

Molly shook her head and laughed. “No. I think I can walk to the door by myself.”

I shrugged. “Okay, just offering.”

“Thanks.” Molly reached for the door handle. “I get off at four.”

“Yep.” I nodded. “I’ll be here to pick you up, and I’ll want to hear all about your first day.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re weird.”

“Maybe, but I’m cute, too.” With a little luck, she’d start to see it that way.

***

EVEN THOUGH I WAS USUALLY an evening and nighttime writer these days, my word count had taken a serious hit since Molly arrived at the resort. I didn’t manage to write a single word the day before, and I could almost hear my editor saying to me, ‘The book won’t write itself.’

Yeah, no kidding. I knew that, which was I had to buckle down and work when I got back to the campground. I aimed to get a couple thousand words in before I picked up Timmy from Julie’s and took him to lunch at the diner.

It was a lovely day, so I decided to go old school. Instead of working on my laptop in the cabin, I took a spiral notebook and pen down to the lake, hoping the peaceful tranquility of the water would inspire me.

Bad idea.

Apparently, it was exhibitionist day at Sweetbay Lake, and I missed the memo. Kiki was there, topless of course, and today she was joined by Darcy, the resort’s resident nudist, with his dick on full display.

What to say, other than this place was full of characters. I could write a book about it.

“Hey, Dak!” Kiki waved and trotted over, her breasts bouncing and bobbing as she walked. I tried not to stare, but it was kind of hard not to. I mean, those girls were big. And bare.

Oddly enough, she wore her bikini bottoms today. Was it wrong that I wanted to suggest she give them to Darcy so I didn’t have to look at his tiny wiener? Besides, wouldn’t that be a sight? A skinny, balding guy with a pink string bikini bottom covering his junk? It was something you saw every day.

“Hi, Kiki,” I greeted her.

“How’s the writing going?”

I glanced down at my notebook. So far, I’d managed only one measly little paragraph. So much for the water being inspiring. I guess I hadn’t accounted for the nudity to distract me. “Not too good today, I’m afraid.” I glanced at my watch. Not too much longer, and I’d have to get Timmy if we were going to surprise Molly for lunch. “My focus just isn’t there today.” Was it any wonder why?

“That’s too bad,” Kiki leaned forward, her breasts practically in my face. No, she wasn’t sorry at all. “Maybe you should take a swim,” she suggested. “I’d be happy to join you.”

Yeah, I’m sure you would. I shifted uncomfortably and stood up. “I don’t think so. Not today, Kiki. I have other things to do.” Like surprise a sweet, pretty woman on her lunch break during her first day at work.

“You’re such a stick in the mud, Dakota. You need to get laid.”

“Maybe so,” I said with a laugh as I started to walk away. “Not today, though.” And not with you.

After walking a few feet, I turned back around. “Only my mother is allowed to call me Dakota.” 

***

I ORDERED A GRILLED ham and cheese with French fries for lunch, and Timmy had macaroni and cheese. It was nothing fancy, but the sandwich tasted good, and the fries had just the right amount of crispiness to them.

“How’s the mac and cheese, Timbo?” I asked. Since he ate all of it, I figured he must’ve liked it well enough.

“Good.” He took a gulp of milk, leaving a white mustache around his mouth. “It tasted kind of like my mom usually makes,” he said. “It’s not as good as hers, though. Hers is the best.”

“I’m sure it is,” I said, amused at how he hastened to add that while this macaroni and cheese was good, it couldn’t compare to his mom’s. “Want to know a little secret?” I leaned across the table conspiratorially.

He smiled, revealing a missing front toot that I hadn’t noticed before. “Yeah!”

“Well, buddy, your mom actually made that macaroni and cheese. She made my sandwich, too,” I told him. “You know how she left this morning to start her new job? Well, she works as a cook here.”

“Really? That’s cool.” I could tell by his tone that he was sincere. He thought this was all pretty neat, which was the idea. Molly might not think this job was much, and aspired to more, but I wanted her son to be proud of her anyway, much the same way I was always proud of my mom, even when she worked nights at a laundromat. “She’s the best cook ever.”

“She’s pretty good, all right.” I raised a hand to get our waitress’s attention, and she hurried right over.

“Is everything okay? Can I get you anything else?”

“Everything’s fine,” I assured her. “The food was great. I hoped I could talk to your cook for a minute, let her know how much we enjoyed the food. Would that be possible?”

“I don’t know. It’s kind of an unusual request.” She surveyed the dining room, which had mostly cleared out from the lunch rush. “We’re not that busy right now, though, and it is her first day. She’d probably like to hear that.”

“Can you go get her, then?” I asked, trying for my most charming smile.

“Please, Miss?” Timmy asked. “She’s my mom. I want to say ‘hi.’”

“Really?” The waitress took another glance around the room before nodding. “Okay. I’ll let her know. If it gets busy again, though, she’ll have to get back to work.”

I nodded. “Right. I got it. That won’t be a problem. We just want to see her for a minute.”

She hurried off, disappearing behind the swinging doors that led to the kitchen. Success. I held my hand out to Timmy for him to give me a high five, which he did.

“Good job, Timbo. Thanks for the assist,” I said. “Time to surprise your mom.”