Tina exhaled. "Okay, Tina. You are an independent woman. You can call the landscaper to clean up the yard." She paced the floor. "You are a successful author. You've spoken at public events before. This is no big deal." She picked up the phone and dialed.
A man with a heavy southern twang picked up the phone. "Hello, Turner Landscaping, what can I do for ya?"
Tina's mind went blank. "Uhhhhhhhh…"
The man chuckled. "You okay there, sweetheart?"
Tina laughed nervously. "Uhh, yeah. I was wondering if I could get somebody to help clean up my yard. Cutting the grass, watering the grass, the works."
"Sure thing. Does tomorrow work for you?"
Tina hummed and looked at her calendar on her phone. "Yes, tomorrow works." She spouted off her address to him.
"Cool, I'll be there at eleven."
Tina hung up the phone and grabbed her keys. She drove to the only place she was sure was still open.
It had taken a while, but her father's restaurant finally had booming business. It was clear that some gentrification had taken place here. There were nice, upscale apartments, and the rich were sure to enjoy Bob's gourmet burgers. Tina walked up to the familiar hostess and knocked on the podium.
"Welcome to Bob's Burger-" Louise stopped in her steps and gasped. "Mom, Dad! It's Tina!" she screeched.
"All right!" Linda called out, putting down some menus. "It's my teeny Tina!"
Bob peeked out from behind the grill. "Tina?" He turned the grill off and wiped his hands on his apron. He gathered Tina into a sweaty hug and smooched her on the cheek. "We didn't know you'd be coming tonight. Where's Jimmy Jr.?"
Tina's face fell. "He's working tonight. Anything I can do to help?"
Linda clicked her tongue. "No, honey, you just sit down. We'll get you a burger stat."
Tina smiled. "Thanks, Mom."
Bob closed the restaurant, and Tina ate one of her father's amazing burgers while they caught up. Tina had told her parents they were coming back to town; she just hadn't told them when.
After catching up with Louise about college and asking about Gene's music career, she bid her family adieu.
Tina went home to an empty house.
thanks for the reviews :)