Jillian followed her new mother out the door and climbed into the passenger side of the shiny black Honda in the driveway. Mrs. Farber backed out of the drive and soon they were on the road. Jillian had thought the older woman might turn on the radio, but instead she wanted to talk.
Great.
"How was your date with - - Mike, right?" Mrs. Farber smiled.
"It was okay," Jillian shrugged. She didn't want to think about last night. Really it had been a total waste of time. Fun, but she didn't want fun. She wanted the stone.
"Just okay?" Mrs. Farber pressed.
"We went to the Burger Barn. I met some of his friends," Jillian didn't mention all the beer or making out with the burly footballer.
"Well, I have a date tonight myself. Think you can get someone to drive you home?" Mrs. Farber thought for a second, "I - - might not be home tonight. Is that okay?"
"Why are you asking me?" Jillian said testily, preoccupied with her own thoughts, "You're the parent here."
"Jillian, please," Mrs. Farber made an unhappy face, "Ever since your father left town you haven't liked any guy I have been with. I am not an old woman. I have needs."
"Ew! God, I dodn't need to hear this," Jillian shifted in her seat uncomfortably and wished she was already at work wherever it was she actually worked. Once she would have been greatly intrigued to hear about Mrs. Farber's sex life. Now that she was just as female as Mrs. Farber, and her daughter to boot, the subject matter was somewhat unappealing.
"Well, I do," Mrs. Farber said huffily, her eyes locked on the road, "So get used to it. Crazy, I know, but some men still find your mother attractive."
"So what do I do for dinner?"
"I don't know. Figure it out. Order a pizza. Order Chinese. Have some of your girlfriends over. I don't care."
"Gee, thanks, Mom," Jillian said in a flat voice. Jon's mom was mother of the year compared to this half-dressed cougar.
Mrs. Farber threw her daughter a pleading look before turning her attention back to the road, "Honey, you know I didn't mean it like that. You'll be out of school in another year, probably off to college, and I'll be alone. I deserve someone who can make me happy."
Jillian squirmed. The prospect of attending college as she was now terrified her. Worse, the quiet desperation in her mom's voice unearthed a hidden reservoir of pity inside Jillian. Her eyes softened and she dropped her head, ashamed of how she was treating this person she hardly knew, "Look, - - Mom, I'm sorry. Really. I know you deserve to be happy. You do."
About that time the Farbers' Honda pulled into the parking lot of a local landmark, one which Jillian had only been to once or twice in her old life. The Silver Star Diner was in Southshore, a small township sprouting like a mushroom just beyond Lake Point proper. Once a small fishing village, the population of Southshore surged after WWII along with blocks and blocks of 1950s ranch style homes. The long gleaming rail car diner fit right in with all the retro architecture, as sleek and silver as its name. Three generations of the Barkle family had owned it. The current proprietors were Max and his wife Penny. Max was a former headbanger from back in the 80s and he brought Penny with him from California after his father died and he took the diner as his own. Other than the selections on the jukebox and some changes to the menu (fancy coffees and bran muffins with poppy seeds) the diner pretty much continued as it always had. Jillian winced, now pretty sure she knew what her job was.
"Well, we're here," Mrs. Farber said brightly as if they had never quarrelled, "We can talk more on Sunday. You better hurry!"
"Okay," Jillian didn't really want to get out of the car, but supposed she pretty much had to, "I - - uh, I love you, Mom."
"I know, baby. Work hard. I'll see you tomorrow."
