He held up his hands. "Been in the army for forty years, but soon as I heard she graduated, felt like watching my daughter complete gradschool all over again."

Sonya smiled back. "This is the local hangout for more than one reason." There were a lot of memories in this place: more why Sonya brought Athelstan here than just the burgers.

"And it's a living, so it works both ways for me."

he turned when someone got his attention. "You kids enjoy the rest of your meal, I gotta get back to the to the line."

He gave Sonya a shoulder squeeze before leaving the table.