My Everything

A man’s word is a man’s bond (a promise is a promise)

We left the bathroom together noticing Barba struggling I offered some support as we walked back into the front of the diner. Lisa moved towards us and I used my free hand to shift her away. I knew if I didn’t she would talk us to death from worry. Angela shook her head behind the counter as she poured a glass of water. I reached into my pocket and took out two pills in opaque wrapping.

“Here take these Barba, they’ll soothe your stomach and they are natural, I take them all the time.”

Barba looked quite perplexed. She placed the pills on her tongue, rinsing them down with the water before placing the glass on a nearby counter.

“We will talk later, Lisa,” I said, as Barba and I left the diner with many eyes upon us.

“That didn’t turn out the way I thought it would,” Barba said, her eyes upon her car.

Still, I’m really glad we got to spend more time together it’s been a long time since I took a break from the range and I really think you’ll enjoy what our town offers. We are like one big family with a rich heritage. We truly take pride in the opportunities our ancestors have afforded us. What do you like to do for fun in the big city?”

Barba pondered for a while. “Didn’t you ask me this before?”

“I did?” I asked, “Sorry.”

“I have little free time, as I’m usually busy with work when time permits I like to catch a good film or dine out.”

I looked towards my pickup truck. “Since Lisa spoke so much this morning at the diner, I thought some sightseeing would be a welcome change, on our way to the farm. If you don’t mind, we can take my car and then come back for yours when you’re going back. The diner doesn’t close until late.”

Barba nodded her head in response, which made me smile.

 We approached the car as we got in.

I smiled. “Sorry about the mess sometimes my kids are in here.”

“Your dogs?”

“Yes,” I replied as I shifted some stuff around.

 I drove as Barba sat in the passenger’s seat. In the rearview mirror the diner became a distant memory, Barba’s gaze fell upon the buildings that came into view. “Here’s my primary school on the left on the left and if you look to the right you’ll see the oldest Cathedral in town. The Italians donated the stained glass in the 1900s.”

“Oh.”

“Over there in the distance, is our natural history museum.”

“How long has this town been here?”

“Over four hundred years ago.”

Barba adjusted her seat. “No wonder some of these buildings look so old.”

“Okay, I have one more surprise for you. Then I have to pick up some groceries from the store. I promised mum some Oolong tea and the kids have been begging for fish fingers.”

“I try to feed them fresh foods and when they are good, they get something special. After dinner we sit around and share stories before bed.”

I brought the car to an abrupt halt in front an extensive selection of delicately placed flowers and pulled off on the side of the road.

 I got out of the car. “Come On!” I called to Barba who opened her door and joined me.

“Here’s my favorite place to come when I need to clear my mind.”

“I just can’t resist the smell of the flowers and the plush green grass.”

“If you want, there’s a Marlo’s Provisions about a block away, we can walk there.”

Barba with a puzzled look replied, “What’s that? I’ve never heard of it.”

Diane replied with a smile, “it’s like ‘Wholefoods in the big city.”

“Sure”, Barba said with a smug smirk on her face.

“I’m also feeling peckish; I can pick up some snacks. “

I chuckled and smiled. “Those pills really worked for you, huh?”

“Actually, there’s a great restaurant there.”

Barba with an elated look on her face said, “If you don’t mind, would you like to join me for a quick bite, my treat.”

“Ok, you like to eat, don’t you Barba?”

“Yup, I do, and I ate nothing as I left to meet you. The breakfast for me was light.”

I nodded in agreement., “If time was more forgiving, we could have gone to the local museum, it’s truly an enriching and fun experience. “

 We walked for about five minutes in a small crowd as a large orange building resembling a small mall became more apparent. There was a greenhouse attached and many customers sitting at an outdoor café, drinking smoothie.

 I saw Barba staring at the café, “That’s ‘Plantos’, the restaurant I was telling you about, they serve fresh juice and smoothies daily.” When I’m in a hurry, I usually grab one, they’re great, but they also have hot meals available.”

 We headed directly towards the restaurant, but unfortunately there was a brief wait before being seated. The host at the restaurant gave them an electronic buzzer, which lighted up when the table was ready. This afforded me some time to shop before being seated. They were many interesting goods in the store and some produce was growing on the shelves. However, sometimes the prices seemed high. Barba continued to scan the store along with me. She was like a kid in a candy store. Just as I swiped my card at the checkout, the buzzer went off.

  Barba helped me with the groceries as we headed to the restaurant. Just as the waiter had finished setting the table and placing down the menus, Barba stood up from the table.

“I’ll be right back; I’m going to the washroom, Barba said.”

 Barba left, heading towards the restroom. The glass case with old artifacts, including newspaper clipping, clay pot pieces, remains of handstitched leather clothing and quilts caught her eye. It was hard not to, even for some people who had been here a few times. The homemade baseball and bat made from dried tree remains and seeds had always drawn my attention. Still, as I held my vibrating phone in my hand and looked at the Bank’s number, I still had to give thanks for these small moments.

The phone rang as my heart sank.

“Hi good afternoon this is Diana,” I said.

“Hi Diane, you will need to make a larger payment than what you paid last month. The money was not sufficient to compensate how much you’re expected to pay monthly. We have been extremely lenient, but we noticed the drop in the amount each month.”

I bit my lip. “I am trying.”

“You said that before either you pay in full, this month what’s owed or we may have to look into what we would have to do with the farm to get back our money.”

I sighed as we said our goodbyes.

I scrolled through the phone looking at my brother’s number and called. It rang, I pulled up my sister’s and it did the same.

“Damn it,” I said, shifting my hair.

Barba sat down. I didn’t see when she came.

“Are you okay?” Barba asked.

“Yes, I am fine,” I focused on the menu on the table.

“Okay.”

“The special of the day looks good, let’s try that, I’m only here for a short while longer and we could both do with a bit of spoiling.”

My eyes met Barba’s for a moment. That look of hers and that concern made me feel warm inside. Did we really only have to spend one day together? To add salt to the wound most of our day had been circling around others. I wonder what she really thinks about me.

 The waiter returned to the table to take the order. Barba’s back became erect as she said, “yes, we’ll have two specials of the day: Steak and creamy fettuccine served with sundried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, baby broccoli and champignons topped with fresh mozzarella and pecorino; with a side of crab cakes and two glasses of cabernet.”

The words sounded mystical as the waiter stepped away from the table.

“My sister had called she picked up some extra shifts at work to help out with the bills. However, they needed her to come in a bit earlier.” I don’t really enjoy calling in honestly but when I have other work to do, but sometimes we have to for our family. Sometimes I wish I had a free hand around the farm. ”Doesn’t everyone wish they had a free hand?” Barba asked.

“Yeah, I guess so.” I replied, looking away outside.

“By the way, don’t worry about this meal, I owe you for the great breakfast.”

“But yesterday---.”

“I think you more than made up for it. Besides, it was my fault I should have been more cautious as well,” Barba said as her voice lowered.

Barba nodded, it was quiet until the waiter returned to the table with a large serving tray and there was steam coming from the aromatic meal.

“Here’s you order, I hope you ladies enjoy, two specials of the day.”

I bursted into tears. “Thank you Barba, this meal is truly amazing. The last time I had food like this was when I was twelve, my nana was trying to cheer me up because my dad missed my Spelling B.”

 Still crying, I continued to express my gratitude for the meal. The meat was tender and succulent and the pasta was aldente. Barba bursts out in laughter as her muscles relaxed. She exclaimed, “it is damn good!”

Nearing the end of the meal, the waiter passes the table to offer the dessert menu and a digestive. It was at that moment that my phone rang, apologizing to Barba, I answered, “I’m on my way”.

 Barba assured me it’s fine and excitedly accepts the menu.

“I’m really enjoying spending time with you; it’s a shame that I soon have to be returning home,” Barba said.

“Let’s try the chocolate cheesecake with toasted cashews and spiked toffee. We can eat it on the way to the farm.”

Barba nodded in agreement, and the two placed the order.

We waited for the waiter to return. Was Barba enjoying herself with me? I hope I didn’t come across boring, sigh I didn’t expect that I would cry over some food.

The waiter returned with the dessert packaged in bags and the bill. I grabbed the dessert as Barba paid for the bill.

 I turned to Barba and waited. “Ready?”

“Yes,” Barba replied as she closed the docket.

“Let’s go then.”

We headed towards the car and I drove towards the farm as time seemed to slip away.