Jenna shrugs and slides her stack of paper back into the cubbyhole. It doesn’t escape my notice that she’s wiping away tears. I don’t know if they’re from Jimmy being gone, or because of Eden causing havoc. “It gets easier, right?” When she looks at me, her eyes are red and puffy. I drop my stack, adding to Eden’s mess, and pull her into my arms.
“I want to tell you yes, that it does get better, but I would be lying. I think we just get used to it.” I pull back and wipe away her tears. “It’s different for each of us. I was asking myself the same thing earlier. I’m not in agony over him being gone; does that mean I love him less?”
She shakes her head. “I’m so worried though. What if he’s not ready to be all crazy up on stage?”
I return to my stack and hand it to her, waiting for her to slide the papers back in. “What does Xander say?”
Jenna shrugs again. “Jimmy says everything is fine and Xander agrees, but I can’t help feeling they’re not being honest with me. I’ve seen him get winded chasing Eden around the house! He tells me it’s nothing and that he’s out of shape, but how can that be if he’s working out all the time?”
“I think being on stage and chasing a toddler around are two different things. When he’s on stage, the exhilaration will keep him going. Besides, you know Liam and Harrison aren’t going to let anything happen to him.”
“I know,” she sighs, as she picks up the last stack of paper. “I think I’m looking for excuses for him to come home. I was thinking of taking a couple of days off and going out there.”
Her thought gives me the same idea but with Noah’s schedule, I can’t. He needs at least one parent at his games. If he weren’t playing baseball right now, we’d both be in California with Liam.
“I think you should. I think Jimmy will like that, and maybe it’ll put your mind at ease.”
“You think?”
“I do, and you guys can find time to take Eden to Disneyland. I bet she’d love that.”
Jenna wraps her arms around me in a tight hug. She knows I’d do anything for her and if that means she needs time off, she can have it. Truthfully, she does me a favor by working here.
We’re still sitting on the floor when a young man steps up to the counter. We were both so lost in our conversation that we didn’t hear the chime on the door.
“Sorry,” I say as I scramble to my feet. “We didn’t hear you come in.”
“It’s cool,” he says. “I’d like a dozen red roses for my girlfriend.”
Jenna starts to work on his arrangement while I take all of his information and process his order.
“What’s the occasion?” I ask, as he signs his credit card receipt.
“No reason. I was walking by and saw the flowers in the window. I love her and think she should know that I’m thinking about her even as I’m walking down the street.”
Jenna and I both swoon. “She’s lucky to have you. Would you like us to deliver them?” I ask.
“Do chicks like that?”
Jenna giggles. “Is she at work?”
“Yes, she works over at the bank.”
“Then yes,” Jenna says, as she walks around the counter to pick out a vase. “Her co-workers will all dote on her and tell her how lucky she is. They’ll be jealous. Believe me, it’s a good thing.”
“All right, then. How much is delivery?”
“It’s on the house,” I say, before Jenna can tell him the price. This young man is clearly smitten with his girl, and he reminds me of Liam. It’s the least I can do for him.
“Thank you.” He stays to inspect the flowers and chats with us for a few more minutes. When they’re ready, Jenna tells me she’s going to walk them over to the bank and asks if I don’t mind manning the shop. I wave her off. She should know that I don’t mind staying.
The way the café was built, I can watch the flower shop while standing at the register of the café. It was done this way because I never thought I’d need staff for both sides. The café part is booming, especially during meals. In between the peak times, we have patrons who come in who read, gossip, and even write their novels. I like to think of the café as a happy place.
Dana and David are working tonight, training Pete and Tracy, who are both older and looking to supplement their income. My plan is to promote Dana at the end of the month once she tells me if she’s staying on through the summer or not.
“Hey, Josie,” Dana walks by with a tub full of dishes. When I started hiring, Mr. Powell suggested I have everyone call me Mrs. Westbury, just as we still call him Mr. Powell. He said it’s a respect thing, and while I don’t disagree, I find it awkward and impersonal.
“How was the lunch rush?” She passes the bucket off to David, who nods in my direction before disappearing out back.
“Every table was full, and Tracy and Pete really knew how to handle the pressure. David said Pete is a whiz in the kitchen.” Our kitchen isn’t anything extraordinary since we serve mostly soups, salads and sandwiches, but it’s good to know that Pete is capable of keeping up.
“That’s good,” I say, glancing back into the shop to make sure I didn’t miss another chime.