Chapter 7: A Friends's Lunch.
A couple of hours later, before lunch, Flo entered the Cozy Cone to invite Sally to have something to eat with her and Holley.
-Good morning, Sally. It's time for lunch, my kitchen helpers at V8 made a steak and salad and it's amazing. – She walked around the counter to go see the baby. – Aww, you're awake, little rascal, come with your Aunt Flo, I'm taking you to lunch with me. – Without waiting for her friend's answer, she carefully took the child in her arms.
-Yeah, give me a couple of minutes, I'll finish signing some papers. – Sally had a pen in her hand with which she was signing. She tilted her head slightly to look at the box of chocolates. – Hey Flo... You like chocolates, right? –
-Of course! What woman doesn't like them? – She laughed, massaging Lance's back, the baby looked calm.
-Here, I want to give you these, I bought them but, after two bites, I didn't like them anymore, they're sweeter than I like. - She grabbed the box and then offered it to Flo.
Sally had to lie, she didn't want anyone else to know that Francesco had given them to her, although she did want to unload the truth with her friend when they were more alone, she needed some advice, especially for when the time comes to have to face Lightning with that request that the Italian man made for a dinner.
-Thank you! But what a waste of such fine chocolates, dear, anyway, I'll share them with Ramone later. - She took the box with one hand, holding the baby firmly with the other.
-Yeah, I didn't notice... - Sally smiled nervously. - Okay, I'm ready. Shall we go? - She stood up from the chair, took the baby's bag with some things, put the sign "I went out to lunch" on the counter and left.
When they got a few steps to the V8 cafe, they entered and there were a lot of people, but Flo always saved a table for friends. On the right side almost next to the drinks bar.
Sally sighed, arranged Lance's things next to her and sat down, later receiving her son from her friend's arms.
-Phew, you know Flo? I'm in urgent need of hiring another person to replace my meal times. I can't believe that after so many years I still don't get organized, now with more people in town I'm a little scared to leave the Cozy Cone alone and besides, Lance needs to go out for walks more, I can't have him locked up all day at work with me. – She held the baby's small hand gently, who was trying to struggle to grab a lock of his mother's long hair and pull it.
-And do you have someone in mind? I don't think it's a good idea to give a job to a stranger these days. –
-Not really, and, even though a lot of people have come to town, many have started their own businesses and others are here just for vacation... It's been so hard for me to find another helper; Camille already has enough work at night. – Sally was thinking about that matter very seriously, she gave it priority before thinking about Francesco's invitation again.
-I'll see if I can lend you one of the guys or girls who are working here at the café, I'll organize a small meeting after the shift, and then I'll talk to those interested. - It was the idea from Flo. – They work well here; I've trained them myself.
-Fantastic... Thank you very much, Flo. – Sally felt relief.
They both saw Holley arrive, the spy was walking slowly, holding her back with one hand, the other resting on her belly, wearing a purple strapless dress for pregnant women and comfortable low shoes.
Sally and Flo greeted her, and their friend, greeted back, Holley sat a little heavily on the chair in front of both, wanting to announce with that gesture: "Until I finally arrived."
-Damn... Sally, how I envy that you no longer have to carry such a lump on your body. On the other hand, I still have days left... Weeks, which seem as far away as light years. - It was the first comment from Mater's wife, who lately had been complaining about being pregnant.
-I don't think it's good for you to have another baby in the future if you're going to complain day and night. - Sally said with a slight smile.
-I suppose, I'll honestly tell you, I prefer my job a thousand times, facing death as a spy... I am not saying that I don't want this baby, but after this one, no more. -
-And what does Mater think about this? Did you talk to him? - Flo looks curiously, placing both hands on the table, leaving the box of chocolates that Sally gave her before, in front of her.
-Oh, of course. – Holley leans over a little and takes a bread stick that is in a little container, along with many more, placed vertically. She brings it to her mouth and after swallowing a piece, she continues talking. – Mater is a cutie, he agrees, from now on we will be careful during sex. Or I will have my surgery for no more babies. –
Sally gently covers one of Lance's ears, with the other hand she was holding the infant.
-Shh, don't talk about those things in front of my son. – Obviously she said it playfully, because the child, at just a few months old, clearly didn't understand anything at all, he just followed the three women with his gaze.
-Oh, Lance, I envy you, you don't know anything about life yet, but one thing is certain, when you grow up, you'll be as attractive as your father and the girls won't leave you alone. - Flo laughed and continued. - But don't worry, because your Aunt Flo will be here to scare away the flies. –
-Oh, no... girlfriends for my baby, no. No, no, no... - Sally adopted a typical jealous mom attitude.
-You're not going to be able to help it, friend... - Holley was already eating her second breadstick. - Speaking of children, aren't you planning on having more? I mean, you're so busy with the motels and Lightning training Cruz and then the academy, they don't have much time left, I don't think it would be convenient if you get pregnant again. -
- Well Holley... I haven't thought about it, time goes by so fast during the day for us, that... I bet Stickers didn't have that idea either. - She smiled, but erased it almost at the same moment. - I just don't know. - She sighed and set her eyes on Flo. - Anyway, shall we eat? I have to go back to work soon. Jackson Storm is coming to town in a few hours, I want to be there for the arrival. -
- Sure. I'll be back with the lunches now; you'll see that you'll be satisfied. – Flo almost ran to the kitchen to attend to her friends.
Holley looked at the box of chocolates Flo had left behind on the table.
-Too much deliciousness, it shouldn't be wasted, I don't think she'll mind if I take out a couple. –
-Haha, go ahead, I gave them to her anyway. – Sally says, without wanting to say it.
-So, these were the ones Francesco bought... I figured. – The spy affirmed without flinching.
-Huh? No... I bought them. What makes you think it was him? – Mrs. Carrera-McQueen became noticeably nervous, if Holley's next sentence or question hit her to further embarrass her (And that was something that was obvious) she would have to tell the truth.
-I saw him when he was heading with this to the Cozy Cone. – The spy finished saying that, taking a chocolate to her mouth, while chewing she confirmed how delicious and fine they were. – Umm! They are really exquisite, that man has very good taste, in every sense. – She emphasized the last words on purpose.
-Yes, right? – Sally rolled her eyes to the side and spoke through clenched teeth, forcing a smile, then sighed to continue in a more relaxed tone. – The truth is that I wanted to discuss this with Flo and you a little more privately, although we better wait for her to return. I have a lot to tell, I need some help. –
Lance was getting restless, he felt his mother's nervousness and began to make gestures of discomfort, they were clearly seen when he lowered his blond eyebrows that were noticeable when he brought his brows together and began to move his arms and legs tensely, his baby noises were accentuated passing into a tantrum and soon to crying.
-Oh, no, my love, don't cry... Are you hungry? -
Sally spoke to him very lovingly, holding him with his little head on her shoulder while gently massaging his back.
-Holley, could you look for the bottle in my bag, please? - She asked, since her hands were full. -My poor Lance... Don't worry. -
From one minute to the next, that action of her son was very "appropriate", for a moment the subject of Francesco disappeared, although obviously it would return irremediably.
But Holley was curious about another subject...
-Jackson Storm? That conceited boy is coming to town? Why? Don't we have enough with Mr. Bernoulli? - She asked while handing over the baby's bottle.
-I have no idea, Holley, he has his reasons. - Sally giggled slightly, began to feed her son, but she continued talking, imagining the faces of Lightning and Cruz. - Cruz doesn't like him at all. Now teacher and student will have a stone in their shoe. –
-Oh yeah... Let's just hope that neither of them gets sick from nerves before the racing season starts. –
Half an hour after lunch, the three women were discussing any topic between them, but inside none of them wanted to lose the thread that was forming with the matter of the "chocolates."
The plates were empty and the utensils on them, Sally finished drinking from her glass of water so quickly to be able to escape from there, with the excuse that she had to go back to work, besides Lance had fallen asleep after the milk, the warmth of his mother's arms and the tranquility that formed in the place.
Holley and Flo's curious eyes were firmly fixed on Mrs. Carrera, hoping to continue with what was pending as soon as the glass was lowered to the table, hitting the glass against the wood with the familiar, rough and dry sound of a: "knock."
-What? – Sally said, looking at them, still trying to avoid them. Drawing for a second an innocent and at the same time, mischievous smile on her lips.
-Come on, Sally... - Holley put the index finger of her right hand on the box of chocolates.
Flo, without having said a single word for a long time, noticed the whole thing, she wasn't even surprised by the signs of the spy, besides her natural instinct of a woman who wants to know about gossip overwhelmed her, obviously she wasn't stupid, the owner of the V8 was more than 20 years older than the other two present, plus, she knew the brown-haired girl very well.
Once the café was almost empty and at the risk of leaving her business alone for a long time, Sally had no choice but to tell both of them what happened with Francesco.
-And that's the story... – She sighed. – He invited me to dinner and I don't know what to do... On the one hand I don't want to go because I feel like it would be disrespectful to Lightning, and how do I tell him this? – She shrugged her shoulders.
-Does that mean, on the other hand, if you want to accept? – Flo asked. –Well, if you don't go, I could go in your place, haha. – She said that trying to lighten the mood for her friend, but it didn't seem like she was going to work.
-The truth is, yes, I do want to go, because I see it as a meeting of friends who haven't seen each other for a long time. But of course, Stickers can see it differently... You know, because I've been a fan of Francesco for many years... Although I must confess that since I met him in person, I don't know... something changed. – Of course, Sally wasn't going to openly say something concrete about those words. "Something changed" because honestly, she didn't even know how to explain it.
-I understand you, friend, it's all about looking and not touching, we are married women but thank goodness we are not blind, hehe. Even I have looked up and down that guy Francesco, I confess that a couple of times he has made me form crazy thoughts in my mind of wanting to go over some place with my hands, without being able to avoid it. - Flo spoke with complete confidence, laughing lightly. -
Both Sally and Holley were left with their mouths open and then, they could not help laughing, but it was a laugh that seemed to make them feel between guilt, shame and disbelief. As if the three of them had happened exactly the same when they saw the Italian racer pass by and it is that he really had the strange essence that could get any woman.
-Oh, friend, are you serious? - Sally asked.
-You ask me as if it were something terrible, the same thing happened to me with McQueen. - After that, the owner of the V8 continued with a phrase that sought her immediate defense. - But it's different, because he was always perfect for you, don't worry, I don't imagine things with your husband. Especially because I consider myself lucky, I have Ramone, who is the most attractive and good man on the planet. -
Sally was not jealous of that, she was always aware of Lightning's popularity, many women pursued him even though he had a wife, but the trust and knowing each other was what made a perfect harmony. In addition, she could notice when a woman was really in love, the unmatched sparkle in Flo's eyes when the conversation referred to Ramone or that proud tone in Holley's voice when talking about Mater, were enough proof of the immense love for them.
-I suppose I can breathe a sigh of relief, but... Back to the subject, girls, what should I do? How do I explain it to Lightning? –
-Just tell him. – Holley said.
-What? – Sally raised an eyebrow.
-Yes! Come on. Didn't you say that it will just be a meal between friends? Then what are you worried about? – The spy continued.
-She's right, bring up the subject naturally tonight when you see each other at home, there's nothing wrong with it, you'll eat, talk for a while and goodbye. – Flo seconded. – And if you need me to take care of Lance tomorrow night, I will. –
Apparently, Sally was calmer with that, but deep inside her... She wasn't too happy.
To be continued...
Disclaimer:
-Lance is a character that originally belongs to me, as does this story. (c) Shadoru.
-The other characters belong to Cars (c) Disney. PIXAR.
-Sorry my bad English.