So sorry it has been so long since I updated. I finally graduated from my RN program on May 11th! I take my state boards to get my license this coming Saturday and will start working as an ICU RN on June 26th! I'm so excited. Here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it! If you recognize them from her books, they aren't mine...I'm just borrowing them :)
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Lo?"
"Dallas Lee Montgomery," she said when he answered.
"Stephanie Michelle Plum," he responded. After a second he followed up with, "Care to tell me why we are full naming each other?"
"Well, I'll start off with you lied to me."
"I don't believe I've ever intentionally lied to you. Care to explain?"
"Well, maybe not intentionally, but you led me to believe you were named after your father."
"How did I do that?" he asked.
"The only people I know of that go by Junior are named after their fathers. They go by Junior, so it is easier to know when someone is talking to them. You, however, are NOT named after your father and you never told me that."
Junior laughed, "Did you ever stop and ask me?"
Stephanie thought about it for a moment, "Well, no, but…."
"So, it isn't all my fault. Now, did my parents or Justin's parents tell you why I'm called Junior?"
She shook her head and then remembered he couldn't see her, "No, they said it would be better to hear it from you."
"Ah, well. Do you want to hear it now or when you get back home?"
"Oh please, you know I can't wait that long. Spill it now!"
"Okay, so when I was around three or four, I used to follow my dad around everywhere. If he was on the porch, I was there. If he was working on the car, I was there. Sometime around then, I guess I started mimicking his movements. I'd watch how he walked, stood, talked, whatever and I'd do it too. My granddad saw it one time and, I guess I looked like my dad's clone at that age, and Granddad started calling me Junior. Everyone else did too and it stuck. I've not gone by anything else since then except for Mama. She still calls me Dallas."
"Okay, makes sense. I guess I'll forgive you for lying to me," Stephanie laughed.
"Gee, thanks. Oh hey, before I forget to tell you. Cal was on the front desk yesterday when Mr. and Mrs. Manoso stopped in. They were asking for you and when he told them you no longer worked here, they asked to have their number given to you. They want you to call them soon."
Stephanie sat down and closed her eyes, 'what do they want' she wondered. "Did they say why?" she asked Junior.
"No, they didn't say. Just asked that we forward their number to you and have you call. You want me to text it to you?"
Stephanie thought about it and finally agreed to have Junior send her their number. She had been wondering if she should tell them about Sophia but was unsure of how to do it. But her daughter had a right to know her grandparents if they wanted to be in her life.
After hanging up with Junior, Stephanie went downstairs to find Zip and Sophia. Walking into the kitchen, she saw Zip cleaning up dishes. He turned to wipe off the counter and smiled when he saw her, "Good morning, Sweetheart."
Stephanie tried to smile, but she was still thinking of the Manoso's and what they wanted. "Morning," she replied.
Zip put the cloth down and walked around the counter. Wrapping Stephanie in his arms he asked, "What's the matter? You seem upset."
"I just got off the phone with Junior and he told me that the Manoso's stopped by looking for me yesterday. They want me to call them." Stephanie looked up at Zip, "Will you be next to me when I make that call?"
"I'll be wherever you want me to be. You should know that by now."
Stephanie smiled up at him and looked around, "Where is Soph?
Zip laughed as he released Stephanie. "Well, I got her up, changed and fed her. Then we did our morning dance. Somewhere in the middle of the dance, she was taken from my arms and is currently on the back porch with my mother and father. They adore her."
Stephanie looked out the window and saw her daughter on Dale's lap with Doris smiling down at her. "They do seem to adore her."
"I have a question for you. Would you be willing to allow Mama and Pop to take care of her for a few hours this evening so I can take you out and show you the town?"
Stephanie was reluctant to even think about it, but she could see how much it meant to Zip. "How long are we talking?"
"Let me take you to dinner and if you want to come back here after eating, we can. If you are okay with being gone a little longer, I'd love to take you dancing or something. But when you say it is time to head back, I promise to stop whatever we are doing and bring you back."
Stephanie thought about declining, but knew that her daughter would be taken care of by Zips parents, so she asked, "If I say yes, but during the time out I feel the desire to check on …"
Zip interrupted her, "All you have to say is her name and we will come back immediately. No questions asked, no hard feelings."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Zip helped Stephanie into his truck before jogging to the driver's side. Once he was in he saw her staring out the window towards his parents' house, "We can stay if you want," he said as he grabbed her hand.
"No, I need to do this." Tearing her eyes away from the house, she looked and smiled at Zip, "I want to do this. She will be fine, I know it."
"Okay, then we are off." Zip started the truck and pulled out onto the road. "What type of food are you in the mood for?"
"I really don't care. All food sounds good to me, so surprise me."
Zip smiled and headed to town. He knew where he wanted to take her. Pulling into a dark alley, Zip cut the engine and turned to Stephanie, "Trust me?"
"More than anyone." Stephanie exited the truck and waited for Zip. They walked around to the front of the non-descript building and entered a hallway.
"I promise the food is good. This is a place that has been here forever and is a favorite among the locals. Tourists only find it if a local tells them about it." Zip held the door open for Stephanie. As they reached the greeter's stand, an older lady with silver hair walked up, "Welcome to Mama's, table for tw… Justin? Is that you dear?"
"It is, Miss Debbie. How are you?" Justin hugged the older lady and stepped back to Stephanie's side. "Steph, this is Miss Debbie. Miss Debbie, this is Stephanie." Looking at Stephanie he continued, "I've known Miss Debbie my entire life. I think she was the first person my parents ever left me with."
"You, Julie, and Junior. I took care of all three of you from time to time. Now, let's get you seated. I'm short staffed tonight, but I'll stop by when I can." Miss Debbie led them to the table in the back and handed them their menus. "What can I get you started with? We have Coke products, flavored lemonades, and sweet tea."
"I'll take a water and a sweet tea, please," Stephanie ordered.
"Same for me, too"
"I'll be right back."
Stephanie looked at the menu and was unsure of what to order; it all sounded good. "What should I try?"
"Well, all the food here is wonderful. If I may make a suggestion?" Zip waited and saw Stephanie nod. "I highly recommend the Texas egg rolls for starters. They are egg rolls with beef brisket. They melt in your mouth."
"Sounds delicious!" she replied as she looked at the description.
"I'm going to order the raspberry ribs. Those are my favorite here and I have to get them every time. I'll even share with you if you want."
Stephanie smiled and licked her lips, "I can't wait to try them. Now let me see what I want." Looking over the descriptions, she was amazed that the place wasn't really advertised. "I can't believe they don't have a sign outside. This all sounds amazing. I think I'll try the classic chicken. Sounds like it is done in a rotisserie all day."
"That it is," Miss Debbie said as she sat their drinks down. "The chicken is one of our biggest sellers." She looked at Zip, "I already have your order written down, just need to know half rack or full rack?"
"Let's do a full rack tonight. Then if Steph likes it, she can have some and if not, I'll have some to take home."
Miss Debbie took their order and left them alone. "Miss Debbie started this place about thirty years ago. For the longest time she only employed family. All her food is homecooked and recipes are from her great grandmother."
"Wow. Those must be some awesome recipes. Especially to have had this place for over thirty years! How many kids does she have?"
"She has five though I'm not sure how many still work for her. I was a busboy here when I was fifteen to seventeen. Best job I could have had as a teenager."
Stephanie and Zip talked a little more during dinner, but mostly Zip just listened to Stephanie's moans every time she took a bite. Miss Debbie came over a few times to talk, but with only two cooks and a dishwasher, she was busy running the front of the restaurant, so she didn't have much time to socialize.
As the food dinner was winding down, Stephanie reached across the table and grabbed Zips' hand. "Justin, thank you for tonight. I'd forgotten what it was like to go out and just worry about myself. I've been so busy taking care of Sophia that I've not really taken care of myself. Thank you for tonight. I've really enjoyed myself."
Zip squeezed her hand and smiled, "You have been taking care of Sophia and doing a wonderful job. I had hoped to be able to take you out while we were here so when you agreed to let Mama take care of her, I knew exactly where to take you. Steph, you are a wonderful mother, but don't forget to take time for yourself as well." Zip brought their hands up and kissed her palm. "Now, would you like to return to my parents' house or go out some more? Your call."