Tina’s stomach rumbles. It would be nice to go somewhere for lunch, since she’s already out and about. She drives to her favorite brunch place, Pink Plate Café. Leah’s still sleeping when they arrive, so Tina brings her in.
“Table for you and your son?” the waitress asks.
“My nephew. But yes.”
“Right this way.” The waitress leads Tina to a small table with two chairs, then takes one of the chairs. “I’ll be right back with a seat for him.”
“Thank you.” Tina sits down, Leah on her lap. She gently rubs Leah’s back. “Wakey wakey, Aspen,” she says softly. Leah stirs, smacks her mouth, and opens her eyes. “Hi, honey.”
“Where are we?” Leah asks.
“We’re getting some lunch.”
“What? I wanted to go home!”
“Right after this, I promise,” Tina says.
“The people here will think I’m a baby!”
“You prefer the food on the children’s menu anyways,” Tina points out. Leah sighs.
“…Fine.” The waitress returns with a highchair. Tina straps her stepdaughter into it.
“I see he woke up,” the waitress says. “What’s his name?”
“Aspen.”
“Aspen.” The waitress smiles at Leah. “You’re going to grow up to be quite the heartbreaker, little man.” Leah looks down at the table anxiously. “Here are the menus.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll be back for drink orders in a few minutes.” The waitress leaves.
Leah tries to relax a bit. Once they’re done eating, they’ll head home. And she does like the food at this place. Her attempts to enjoy the meal are ruined, however, when…