Gem in the Rough

Chapter 22

"Talk about small towns...my goodness."

"Yeah, it has its perks but mostly it's terrible."

I look at him to see if that was even a little bit of a joke, because it doesn't sound like it from his tone. I notice he has a grimace on his face, and he looks tense.

"Everyone knows each other's business and it can be really toxic. I think that's part of the reason why Jillian went down the path she did at the end. I don't really like coming back here but it's my home. It's where I have memories of her and our childhood. I also try to visit her mom when I'm here."

I listen closely to everything he's saying. It's not often that he talks openly like this. Though I've known him for a little while now and I've been spending a lot of time with him, I still don't know a lot about his life.

I know his favorite color is teal, that he hates gummy bears – which is fine, because more for me, and he likes flowers. Like, he really likes flowers. He told me how he used to garden with his mom when he was a kid but that's all I've really heard about her.

That's when I realize that I'm going to be meeting his family and my breath hitches suddenly. Don't freak out. Don't freak out.

I'm brought out from my thoughts when Kieran starts to talk again, what he's saying takes me by surprise.

"I know I don't talk about my family a lot, but it's hard for me to. My mom passed away when I was thirteen. She had a brain aneurysm and it completely caught us off guard. We had no idea and it happened one day when she was in the garden. I'm the one that found her."

Kieran takes a shaky breath as he puts the car in park. I look out the window briefly and see we're parked in front of a diner. He continues before turning the car off.

"It's been me and my dad since then. We're close, and I come to see him as much as I can. When I asked for your help covering shifts that one weekend, I came home because I wanted to see him. Sometimes I just get this feeling that I need to see him, like he needs me, and I listen to my gut.

"When I got home that weekend, he had been struggling with missing my mom. He was okay, but he needed me. He doesn't usually admit when he's feeling that way because he knows I'll come running." He smiles then and looks up at me. "I also wasn't doing so great when I got back to my apartment that day, which was why I was drinking. I'm sure you smelled it on me that night. I'm sorry, but like I told you before, my coping mechanisms haven't been productive." He sighs and then continues.

"I want to share this stuff with you. I'm sorry it's taken me so long."

"It's okay. I haven't exactly been open either. But I want to be, later. Right now, it's about you." I give him a supportive smile and add, "Plus, it really hasn't been that long."

He nods and takes another deep breath. "This is the diner I told you about. Mine and Jillian's place. This is the last place I saw her alive."

My stomach drops, realizing just how important today is. "I don't know what to say."

We sit in silence for a few minutes as my mind wanders. Kieran bringing me here is such a huge thing and I guess I didn't realize just how serious he is about our...friendship. Or whatever it is. But I'm happy about it. I investigate the diner's exterior, which looks a little run down but that seems to be a part of its charm.

There are only a few cars in the parking lot so I'm guessing it's not terribly busy. I wonder why this is their place. I turn to look at Kieran who is staring out the window like he's reliving something in his mind. I gently set my palm on his shoulder.

"Kieran?"

He jumps slightly and then puts his hand over mine, squeezing. I notice a tear go down his cheek and I move forward, using my other hand to wipe it away.

"It's okay." I pull him to me, his head in my chest. I rub his back and stroke his hair, whispering things in his ear about how it's okay and that I'm here for him. We sit like that awhile until I feel him tug away from me. Kieran wipes his eyes and chuckles.

"Sorry, I'm a mess."

"It's okay, I understand. Want to go inside? I'd like to hear more about her."

He nods and we exit the car. We walk slowly towards the building and Kieran opens the door for me, letting me enter first. I step inside and notice that the place is almost empty. There are two tables with a couple of people at them and one person at the makeshift "bar" counter. I notice that there is one waitress there in a yellow uniform and a white apron. She's pouring coffee into a man's coffee cup.

The waitress looks up when she hears us enter and a smile appears on her face.

"Well, who do we have here? Kieran!" She sets down the carafe and walks to us from behind the counter, pulling Kieran into a hug. "How have you been? I haven't seen you here for a while, but I've heard you have been in town. Why haven't you come to visit?" She punches his arm playfully.

I notice then that the waitress looks like she's in her late 40s. Her name tag reads "Brittany".

"Britt. I'm doing alright. I'm sorry I haven't been here, but I just stop quick in town to see my dad usually so there's not a lot of time for much else." Kieran rubs the back of his head and has the other hand in his pocket. He looks almost embarrassed. I guess he wasn't kidding about how small this town is and how everyone knows everything.

Brittany grins and rolls her eyes playfully. "That's okay, Kieran. I get it. No need to feel bad." Its then that she realizes I'm here too. Her eyes widen and her smile grows larger. "Who is this?"

I stick my hand out, "Gemma. Nice to meet you."

She looks at my hand and waves her hand, pulling me into a hug instead. I stand awkwardly for a few seconds before I gently pat her back, unsure of how to act. I don't hug people very often. Especially not strangers.

She releases me and apologizes, "Sorry! We're huggers in this town." She stares at my face for a moment before saying, "Wow, you look so much like her."