Lily stared at the bag.
Ray climbed into the truck.
Before closing the door, he said:
“I’ll be at the Lantern tomorrow morning at seven.”
“Why?”
“Breakfast.”
“I didn’t say I was coming.”
“I know.”
“Then why tell me?”
“Because if you come, there’ll be food.”
He closed the door.
Drove away.
In the rearview mirror, Lily stood beneath the rain staring at the paper bags on the truck hood.
The next morning, Ray arrived at the Iron Lantern before sunrise.
Marla was already brewing coffee.
She looked at the empty booth across from him.
“You waiting for somebody?”
“Maybe.”
“A date?”
Ray looked at her.
Marla laughed.
“Had to try.”
Ray ordered eggs.
Bacon.
Toast.
Then another full breakfast.
Marla did not ask.
Seven-ten.
Nothing.
Seven-twenty.
Ray told himself he had been stupid.
Seven-thirty-two.
The bell rang.
Lily entered.
Same oversized coat.
Hair dry this time.
She stopped when she saw him.
Ray lifted his coffee.
“Morning.”
She looked at the second plate.
“That mine?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“We went through this.”
Lily approached slowly.
She sat across from him.
Did not touch the food.
Ray continued eating.
Finally:
“You going to stare at it until lunch?”
“What do I have to do?”
“Eat.”
“No.”
Ray stopped.
“No?”
“What do I have to do after?”
“Nothing.”
Lily looked almost angry.
“Everybody wants something.”
Ray set his fork down.
“Maybe everybody you know.”
She said nothing.
Ray pushed the plate slightly closer.
“Eat.”
Lily picked up the toast.
Took one bite.
Then another.
She ate slowly for the first minute.
Then hunger won.
Eggs.
Half the bacon.
Toast.
A few potatoes.
Then she stopped.
Ray knew why before she reached for a napkin.
She wrapped the remaining bacon and toast carefully.
“For your mom.”
Lily nodded.
Ray did not stop her.
Instead, he signaled Marla.
“One more breakfast to go.”
Lily immediately said:
“No.”
“Yes.”
“We don’t need it.”
“You’re wrapping half yours.”
“That’s enough.”
“No.”
Lily looked angry again.
Ray leaned forward.
“You are allowed to eat your breakfast.”
Her eyes dropped.
“And your mom can have her own.”
Marla placed a container beside Lily.
The girl stared at it.
Ray returned to his coffee.
No speech.
No pity.
That seemed to help.
Lily finished the rest of her eggs.
When she stood, Ray asked:
“Your mom know where the food comes from?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“She’d make me bring it back.”
Ray considered.
“Why?”
“She doesn’t like owing people.”
“Runs in the family.”
Lily almost smiled.
Ray handed her one of his business cards.
MERCER CYCLES.
342 WEST MORGAN STREET.
“If you ever need food, come there.”
She studied the card.