Page 16 of Breaking Storm

Rosie busies herself cutting flowers while she talks. “He came in, was polite as always, browsed the flowers, and asked where you were.”

I water the dry, soiled plants on the table. “Keep going.”

“What?”

I stop, narrow my eyes at her, and say, “There’s more to the story.”

She huffs. “Fine. He asked me what my favorite flower is and then was called away.”

“Aha!”

“It means nothing. Why would he even ask about you?”

Her smile transfers to me, and I take her hands in mine. “Dear Rosie. He asked where I was to make sure I wouldn’t get in his way of asking you out.”

Rosie tosses her hands in the air. “Nonsense! I’m too old for him.”

“That sweet little body of yours says differently.”

She stands in front of me and holds me at arm’s length. “Do you not have a mirror? Because from where I’m standing, you are thin and have curves in all the right places.”

Before the conversation can continue, Officer Podesta comes into the shop, and Rosie and I offer each other offhanded smirks.

Rosie returns to cutting the flowers, and I water more plants, saying, “Good morning, Officer Podesta.”

“Good morning, Teagan.” He presents a soft upturn of his mouth, shifts to her, and says, “Rosie.”

“Officer Podesta.”

He puts his hand on his chest and says, “Please, call me Angelo.”

Behind his back, I do a happy dance, and point my fingers at Rosie. He turns to me, and I pretend to cough into my hand and pound my chest.

“A tickle. I’m going to get some water.”

I disappear into the back area to listen. The shop is small, so we can hear even a whisper. Rosie calls him Angelo, and I sigh at the sweetness of it all.

Officer Podesta asks, “So, Rosie, I was wondering if you’d like to go out to dinner with me tomorrow night?”

She jumbles her words, apparently nervous. Rosie told me about her mean ex-husband. He prevented her from having friends, going out, getting a job, and then the relationship became violent. I think about my marriage to Joey, and I can see the same thing happening. To avoid causing any noise, I bite the tip of my index finger, waiting for her answer.

“Wh-why yes, that would be nice.”

Another happy dance later, Officer Podesta tells her he’ll pick her up at 6:00 p.m. at her place. I slink out from the back after hearing the chimes.

I hum, fake dust, and twirl around the shop. “Oh Rosie, dear Rosie, be my light, my love, and my future.”

She tosses a wet rag at me and laughs. It puts us in an upbeat mood for the rest of the day.

At six, I take a cab to Café Deko where I’m meeting Tessa, Abigail, Amber, and Kailey, friends from school. The place is hopping by now, but luckily, the ladies have a table. Again, my marriage is a secret and my family life, too. So far, I’ve gone undetected. I haven’t seen a glimpse of Sean or Joey.

We all say our hellos, and I sit in the last chair with my back to the door. I order a macchiato and a bagel with cream cheese.

Tessa has a scholarly bubbly personality, and bounces once in her seat when she says, “I can’t wait until school begins.”

Amber is the dark one of the bunch, both in personality and appearance. She says, “Please! Summer just started.”

Mouse quiet Abigail simply nods, and even-key Kailey asks, “Do any of you have plans?”

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