Luke's Diner, Saturday

[what_the_shock]

Miguel glanced at the specials board. "Uh, guys? That's not really -"

"Trust me," the cook said. "It's perfect for today."

Miguel shrugged. Whatever they were up to, he probably didn't want to know.


Today's Specials:
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Spaghetti with Meatballs
Mac and Cheese
Banana Milkshakes


Luke's was open!

Comments

[vdistinctive]

Eliot looked at the specials board and nodded approvingly. "Any of the little suckers show up yet?"

It was, like, his fourth year in a row of this. He was pretty sure he could no longer be surprised.

[what_the_shock]

"Little suckers?" Miguel asked.

[vdistinctive]

"That's right, this is your first time for this on the island," Eliot mused. "I ain't sure I should spoil the surprise."

[what_the_shock]

Miguel rolled his eyes. "The last thing you warned me about was just last week," he pointed out. "What now? We're getting invaded by...small...people with bad taste in food?"

[itsalovehatething]

Eliot should know better.

"Run-down island, diner advertising their kids menu as the specials. . . . Wow, Pa, I didn't think you could get lower in the world."

[vdistinctive]

"Well hell," Eliot greeted. "If I'da known you were coming, I've tried harder." He looked the girl over and tilted his head. "Vague, mostly British accent, cheekbones that could cut glass. . . . You another one of Sophie's?"

[itsalovehatething]

"There's that sharp wit that managed to dodge Da all those years. Do you have any idea what he could have done with that $500,000 from Myanmar?"

[itsalovehatething]

"What is this," asked a thin, pretty preteen from the door way. "'My first diner'? Where's the red plastic and rounded corners?"

[what_the_shock]

Miguel eyed her dubiously. "Back a few decades ago, I think. You coming in?"

[itsalovehatething]

"Oh, am I letting out the rarified, baby-food air?" She did come in, though, letting the door thunk shut behind her. "Or is it that I was letting in the Mid-Atlantic ocean smell?"

Audre was just the most charming young woman in the world, yes.

[what_the_shock]

That's okay; Miguel had experience with that type.

"Both," he said dryly. "So now you've graced us with your presence, are you eating or just taking in the atmosphere?"

[my2dads]

Ada Grace looked at the specials board and grimaced. Look, it wasn't that she'd never had most of these meals, but they were either her dad's and therefore elevated (Daddy could do magical things with artisanal bread) or because she was with Aunt Parker and certain allowances had to be made.

Besides, when she was with Aunt Parker, whatever they were doing more than made up for eating PB&J.

"Hi," she said, entering the diner and climbing up onto a stool at the front counter. "Is my Dad here?"

If he was, she'd be able to order something proper. If he wasn't, she'd just go back and make something for herself.

[what_the_shock]

Hey, Miguel could handle plenty of better food - talk to the cook.

"That depends on who your dad is," Miguel answered.

[my2dads]

Ada was the daughter of two criminals and mentored by third. Like there was any way she'd pass up this opportunity.

Looking up from the menu she was perusing, she gave Miguel a giant smile and cried out, "DADDY! YOU'RE HERE!"

[what_the_shock]

"...No."

Sorry, Ada, Miguel was noping out of this. "Whose kid are you?"

[itsalovehatething]

"Try the machboos," Audre suggested. "The camel's to die for."

She didn't expect to be listened to. Small children mostly ran away from her.

[my2dads]

"Yeah, but his thareed is so much better," Ada said. "Camel can be stringy and gets between my teeth."

[itsalovehatething]

"Then learn to floss," Audre said with a roll of her eyes. "Dental hygiene isn't that hard."

[vdistinctive]

After manfully restraining belly laughs at her trolling of Miguel (he was pretending that he hadn't actually reacted WORSE his first year, yes), Eliot brought out a plate of steamed buns. "Gracie. I've missed you, sweetheart."

[my2dads]

But he had. Ada'd had to ask him why he didn't like her but for real.

Water under the bridge now, though. "Daddy!" she squealed and tumbled into his arms.

Well, as soon as he set the steamed buns down. Respect the cuisine and all of that.

[momsnotdead]

After meeting each other back at the house, Aidan, Imogene, and Tristan had pretty much immediately joined forces like the tiny terrors they were. Terrors, Kathy would like to point out, that had inherited that gene from their three other parents.

"Okay," Aidan said to his cohorts-in-crime, "so when we get in there, we all shout for Grandpa on cue. Sound good?"

[bouncingpowerbrats]

"In English or Korean?" Imogene asked, looking entirely too delighted by this plan.

[bouncingpowerbrats]

"English," her twin replied, "just so everybody in the diner knows he's old."

[itsalovehatething]

"Wow, using the kids' menu as the specials really does work."

COME MEET YOUR AUNTIE AUDRE, KIDDOS.

[momsnotdead]

THIS WOULDN'T BE WEIRD AT ALL.

"Eh," Aidan said, seesawing his hand back and forth. "Not enough flavor. Or Hot Pockets."