“Not really. Everybody that comes to classes here are here for the same reason. They love art and being able to express themselves through it. Age has nothing to do with it.”
Charlie smiled and nodded.
Daisy lowered her voice. “Besides, I keep an eye on Carson. He’s fine at any time. And if he decides he’s had enough peopling, he’ll go set up an easel in the children’s art room.”
Charlie laughed. “Yeah, when he’s had enough, he’s had enough.”
Daisy lifted her cup in a mock toast and sipped her milkshake, as she looked around the room.
“Let me guess… herbal iced tea?” he asked.
Daisy looked at him, realized he was looking at her cup and grinned at him. “Oh, no. Strawberry milkshake. The best picker-upper there is! In my opinion, anyway. I’m afraid I’m a little addicted.”
Charlie grinned at her. “I’m a chocolate fan myself.”
“Vince’s Place has the best ones around. But it’s a bar and grill, too.”
“I’ve heard it’s really good, but I haven’t had time to try it yet.”
“It is good! There are a lot of other restaurants around, but I still go there more often than the others.”
“Bar and grill… burgers and fries?”
“Oh, yeah. Best burger you’ll ever eat. Fries of course, but oh my goodness… their onion rings. And they have other sandwiches, and fried chicken, and some pastas, too. The usual appetizers and desserts and such. But I’ve been going there since it was just a bar, so I’m partial to it.”
“It recently change over to a grill, too?”
“Oh, no. It’s been a bar and grill for about twenty years.”
Charlie’s brows rose. “You looked old enough to get in a bar when you were a kid?” he teased.
Daisy laughed. “No. Vince is my uncle. All my cousins and I went in there with our parents to eat from time to time. And they’d bring it home to us if it was later in the evening when the bar was really hopping.”
“So I’m guessing you spent some time there as an adult, too. Hopping right along with everybody else?”
Daisy nodded enthusiastically while she laughed. “You have no idea.”
“Maybe you could introduce me to it sometime. I’d love to experience it.”
Daisy’s smile deflated instantly. “Yeah, maybe.”
Charlie picked up on her mood change instantly. He didn’t know what he’d said, but was sure whatever it was, it made her throw up an instant wall. “Alright, well, I guess I’ll be getting back to work. I’ll pick Carson up on my way home. Thanks again for letting him stay here after school. He loves it here.”
“It’s not a problem. I love having him here. He’s taught me a thing or two!”
Charlie nodded and raised a hand in a wave. “I’ll be back in a little while, Carson!” he called.
“I know,” Carson said, not even looking up.
Charlie started to leave, but then turned back to Daisy. “Hey, if I said something to offend you or make you uncomfortable, I’m sorry. It wasn’t my intention.”
“What?! No! Why would you think that? I’m fine.”
“You sure?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m absolutely fine.”
“Alright. I’ll see you later, then.”
