"Um hello-" Seth called out as he entered the empty looking restaurant "Are you guys open?"
"Yes, sorry, sorry I'll be right with you sir" he heard a scattered voice yell from the back.
She blew her bangs out of her face and ran to the front "Oh" she said breathlessly with a smile "It's you again."
"Yes it is" he nodded standing awkwardly with his hands in his pockets. "You said last night that there was a lunch buffet."
"Yes, yes there is" she answered "just come on over here and I'll ring you up" she added motioning to the register.
Seth followed her and couldn't help but notice the way her bottom shook a little as she walked. His cheeks heated up when he noticed what he had been doing and he hoped that she hadn't noticed.
"10 dollars even" she said with a smile.
"So do they give you breaks around here?" he asked handing her the money.
"Yes" she answered warily "why do you ask?"
"I just- you know. I'd like some company, and I figure they have to let you eat lunch sometime so…"
"Um-" she answered "They do let me take breaks and I could take one now. I mean I wouldn't want you to be lonely" she smiled. "The only thing is that if anyone else comes in I'll have to serve them, Stew and Lila are on vacation so I'm pretty much running the place for the week" she explained. "But I doubt that will happen; no one really ever comes here until at least 12:30."
"Yeah, I- um- like to eat early so.." he responded embarrassed that she suspected that his real reason for showing up so earlier had little to do with food, and a whole lot to do with the beautiful woman he was looking at.
They piled their plates up with food and took a seat at a booth.
"So, how long have you been in Berkley?" she asked shoving a mouthful of salad in her mouth.
"Um, like three months" he answered taking a sip of his soda.
"What brings you here? Work?"
"No, I and currently unemployed technically. I'm staying with parents and my sister for the time being which has been fun. I'm working on a comic book, so I'm hoping that will take off."
"Did you say comic book?" Summer asked smiling.
"Yeah-" Seth answered "I know it's sort of lame."
"No" Summer interrupted "No, it's cool. My daughter loves comics."
"You're daughter?" Seth asked shocked as he chocked a little on his chicken. So that is who the girl in the picture was.
"Yes" Summer answered "she's really into the Green Lantern. I don't know where she gets it from. But it's better than what she could be into I suppose."
"Definitely" Seth answered trying to mask his surprise at the news that Summer was a mother "Green Lantern is pretty cool- as far as super heroes go anyway." He had to know more details. "How old is she?" he asked "-You're daughter I mean."
"She just turned 7" Summer answered smiling proudly. You want to see a picture?
"Uh sure, I'd love that" Seth answered as he did the math in his head. Summer had only been 18 when she had her.
"This is Madison" she said as she pulled out the picture in her wallet.
"She's beautiful" Seth answered noticing her more this time than she had before. Now that he knew that she was Summer's daughter- an important part of her life, he had more interest in her.
"She is" Summer agreed "and smart, she is so smart" she added proudly. "Sorry" she blushed "I'm totally one of those obnoxious mothers who brags."
"No, not all- it's cute" he responded "my sister Sophie is around that age. She's six."
"Sophie?" Summer asked "Sophie Cohen?"
"Yeah" Seth answered.
Summer gave him a weird look.
"What is it?" Seth asked.
"Nothing it's just- Madison has mentioned Sophie before. They go to the same school- I guess there was some sort of love triangle between Sophie, Madison, and some boy named Drew."
"The kid that likes orange" Seth mumbled horrified that his little sister may have ruined his chances with Summer.
Summer let out a laugh "They're in the first grade, I'm sure they'll all be over by the end of the week."
"Kids are resilient" Seth agreed.
Summer smiled. Seth had forgotten how much he loved that smile. He noticed that at that point they were both done with their food. He wanted to stay there with her longer, but he knew she had to get back to work, and him hanging around would probably only creep her out. "So" he said "I'm going to take off."
"Okay" she responded "hope to see you soon."
"Oh you will" he said smiling goofily as he left.
