Damon kept one hand on the wheel as they pulled off the main highway and into a small roadside stop.
It wasn't anything fancy—just a quiet local diner with shaded parking and a wide window front.
They were on the way to Stockton from Santa Monica, making the drive steady with a few stops in between. This one was for lunch and a stretch.
Damon parked, unbuckled, and turned to glance at the back seat. Ava was still babbling in her baby seat, calm for now. He smiled as he helped unclip her.
Inside, they found a booth by the window. The place smelled like fresh toast, bacon grease, and coffee, simple but comforting.
Damon slid in first, letting Svetlana take the seat opposite with Ava seated beside her in a baby carrier.
As they settled in, Svetlana watched Damon for a moment before asking, "How do you feel?"
He looked up, still scanning the menu. "Mmh?"
"I mean," she clarified, "what do you feel? We're going to Stockton. You haven't been there in, what, years?"
