Page 119 of Already Home

Violet arrived at work a little before nine-thirty.Jenna’s car was already there. Violet hadn’t warned her boss she would be intoday, mostly because she wasn’t sure she was up to a full day’s work. It mighttake a while for her to get her stamina back. She’d also avoided calling becauseshe was a little nervous about seeing Jenna.

She let herself in the back and set her purse on the shelf,next to Jenna’s, then walked into the store. Jenna was attaching labels to brownbags filled with ingredients.

“Want any help?” she asked.

Jenna looked up, gasped, dropped the labels and camerunning.

“You’re here,” she said, hugging her. “How are you? Should yoube back? Is it too soon?”

Violet held out her hands in the shape of a T. “I’ll take thosequestions in groups of twenty.”

Jenna laughed. “I’m so happy to see you. You look good.”

Violet touched her bruised cheek. “Not yet, but I’m healing. Iwant to get back to work. I’m not sure if I can put in a full day, but I’d liketo try.”

“You’re welcome to stay as long as you want. I’ve missed youdesperately. Not only for your sparkling conversation, but I’ve had to placeorders, and you know that’s not my favorite thing. I might have accidentallyordered an extra two hundred spatulas. We’ll find out Thursday.”

Violet groaned. “I hope you’re kidding.”

“I am. Sort of.”

“I’m glad you missed me.”

“I was desperate.”

Violet tried to smile and found herself with burning eyesagain. “I’m sorry I was stupid,” she whispered.

“You weren’t.”

“I was. I was taken in by a fancy suit and a guy who knew howto order wine. Amateur stuff. I should know better.”

“Everyone makes mistakes,” Jenna told her.

“My mistake landed me in the hospital. Did your dad tell youwhat he found out about Cliff?”

When Jenna shook her head, Violet filled her in on Cliff’sbackground and how he would soon be moving.

“That’s great,” Jenna breathed.

“It’s going to make sleeping at night easier.”

“He would never find you at my parents’ house.”

“True, but I can’t live there forever. In fact I moved out thismorning. I’m back at my apartment.”

Jenna looked concerned. “So soon. Are you sure?”

“I need to get back to my life. Which includes doing workaround here. Why don’t you tell me what’s been going on?”

Jenna brought her up-to-date on the various classes, the newcustomers and how inventory had or hadn’t been managed. She made a mental noteto personally thank Tiffany and Kayla for picking up the slack.

“How are things otherwise?” she asked Jenna. “Last I heard, youand Ellington were fighting. Is that any better?”

Jenna’s face flushed, and unlike Mr. McAllister, she hadn’tsaid a bad word. Jenna’s expression was a combination of guilty, smug andpleased.

Violet stared at her. “You slept with him.”

“Maybe.”

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