32 The Diner

When it seemed even John couldn't bear the heat any longer, they stopped at a gas station and took a break. Elloreah climbed out in relief, stretching her legs. Mingan's shirt was plastered to his back from sweat, and she knew she didn't fare much better.

While John filled the truck, Mingan took Elloreah to the small diner attached to the outpost of a gas station. It was cooler inside, and she sighed with relief. It was a narrow building, a long counter faced the kitchen, the other side lined with booths.

"We'll take a booth," Mingan told the waitress. "The one in the back."

She eyed him up and down, and then gave Elloreah a long look before popping her gum and waving a hand at them, motioning for them to follow.

"Go on," Mingan told her, pointing to the seat against the wall. "John will be joining us. Thought you'd like the window."

Elloreah did as she was asked, knowing better than to question the unspoken request was that he didn't want her sitting next to John. If it weren't for the fact that she was so overwhelmingly out of her element, his growing possessiveness would have annoyed her.

True, she felt connected to him, was attracted to him more than she even liked to admit to herself, but she still didn't know him. Their talks were few and far between, and he was harsh and abrasive more often than not, though he had softened considerably over the last few days.

Once they were seated, the waitress tossed down the menus and walked away. Elloreah stared after her, perplexed. She'd never received such service, even in the most modest or rough inns back home.

"Is that normal?" she whispered to Mingan. "To treat customers so... bluntly?"

Mingan shook his head. "Doubtful. Though it is fairly normal to be treated with less respect for folks like myself."

"Why?" she asked, perplexed.

"Look around," he suggested. "Notice anything about the average customer?"

She did so, brow furrowed as she struggled to understand what he was implying.

"They're white," he said softly.

She shook her head, still perplexed. White? Not a single one appeared to be white, but their skin was lighter than Mignan's, and she supposed that might be what he meant.

"And here I am, an Injun, taking up with a pretty white girl."

Elloreah shook her head, sighing. "I wasn't aware such social rules existed."

Mingan nodded and flipped over the menu. "Unfortunately," he commented. "Don't worry, the waitress will probably warm up when John joins us."

Elloreah nodded and stared down at the glossy sheet before her. The words meant little, the foods listed were mostly a mystery to her. "I don't know what to order," she whispered.

Mingan chuckled. "The iced tea is usually good."

She nodded. "That does sound nice. I love tea."

John joined them, and just as Mingan had suggested, the waitress was more accommodating. They soon had a pitcher of tea on the table and Mingan was going over the menu with Elloreah with uncharacteristic patience. She finally settled on the BTL, which Mingan assured her was worth trying.

When the dish arrived, she stared at it. Between the two thick slabs of bread, were greens, tomatoes, an unfamiliar cured meat, with the greasy sticks of starchy potatoes piled beside it, she was unsure how to proceed. John chuckled.

"Don't worry, if you can't finish it, I'm sure Mingan will."

Mingan dug into his steak. "Why do you think I convinced you to pick that one? It's a favorite of mine."

She picked up one of the fries gingerly, biting into it as she watched the comings and goings on the street outside. Though it wasn't a high traffic area, a good number of cars passed as they sat eating. Each shape was new to her, and she was amazed by the variety of metal beasts that pounded down the roads.

"So, what do you think Alistair will have to say?" John asked, sipping at a bubbly drink.

"No telling. It all depends on what Sitala sees." Mingan paused and chewed thoughtfully for a while. "You know, she suggested I go hunting near your ranch. Even said there would be good game this season..."

"You think she sent you to find Elloreah?"

"She sent Lokni and Hayeta to assist, as if dealing with Elloreah's arrival was my entire reason for being there."

Elloreah turned from the window, startled by this change in conversation. "What?"

John smiled. "Surely one of us mentioned..." he said, glancing to Mingan for permission to proceed. Mingan gave a slight nod and shoved another hearty piece of steak into his mouth. "Sitala, Mingan's sister, is a Seer. But considering the nature of her power, she doesn't outright tell anyone what will happen. She prefers to just point people in the right direction."

"If by point you mean manipulate," Mingan muttered around his mouth full.

John sighed and pushed his food around on the plate. "Mingan doesn't agree with her tactics, obviously."

"But she's your sister..." Elloreah tried. "Surely she would not mean you harm."

"She never intends harm," Mingan grumbled. "That doesn't mean that her manipulations don't cause harm. She makes choices for the greater good, or so she claims. What is good for the many is often not good for the few."

Elloreah held her tongue. His tone implied so much more than his words conveyed. His sister had harmed people, people he had cared about in the guise of the greater good. She felt for him, for both of them.

What would have been the better choice? To save her loved ones or make a noble sacrifice for the greater good? She wasn't sure it was a decision she could make. Elloreah put down the fry she held and looked back outside, all appetite lost.

The conversation was considerably absent as they left the diner. Even John seemed reflective after Mingan's comment. Had Sitala's choices affected John as well? What exactly had she done that was so unforgivable? Elloreah couldn't help but wonder. She climbed into the truck in silence, leaning heavily on the door as they drove off.

Elloreah thought back to her earliest encounter with Mingan, his skepticism about her, about her home world. She couldn't help but wonder if that had something to do with his sister, with the pain and anger he projected now.

She took a deep breath and sat up. Either way, it wasn't her fault. She had nothing to do with whatever it was that had caused this rift between siblings. She was only a victim of circumstance, and until Lokni or even Sitala showed her proof otherwise, she would not wallow. With that thought in mind, she reached over and put her hand on Mingan's knee.

He glanced down at the offending hand, and then met her gaze, brow furrowed, arms still crossed. Elloreah gave him a smile and looked ahead. He didn't push her hand away. Instead, he covered it with his own. She took a deep breath and leaned back against the seat, the tension in her shoulders loosening as she did so.