Page 40 of No Place Like Home

She gave me a tense nod and a forced smile, but no response.

Ouch. Okay, whatever. She was one of the few people who didn’t judge me or show me pity after the whole thing that happened with my parents. Grabbing both boxes of cereal, I put them in my cart. It wasn’t like I didn’t gorge myself on all the foods I had been denied growing up.

“Have a good day,” I said and started to walk away.

“I’m sorry, honey.” She grabbed my arm. “It’s been hard being here. Everyone’s very concerned and—”

Right. This wasn’t about me. It was about Quincy.

“Everyone thinks they know your business since they saw it all over the news.” I finished the sentence for her.

That was a small town for you. Understanding dawned in her tawny brown eyes. She was a shade darker than Q, and the years had done her good; she still looked younger than her age. Quincy was a mix between his father and mother. No wonder he was a looker. His parents were stunning.

“It will go away…eventually.” I gave her a small smile.

It all depended on how recovery went for Q.

I started to walk away, but stopped and turned to look at Mrs. Hardwell.

“I know he’s not okay…but is he…”

I refrained from my question because this was not something you came back from unscathed. And Q had friends. He didn’t have to go through this alone. If I made it on my own, so could he.

“Just make sure he’s surrounded by friends.”

I walked away when I remembered he had a girlfriend, and she was probably all the encouragement he needed. She probably made the pain go away.

Deciding I needed a walk to get some fresh air to clear my head, I left my groceries in the car and headed to Emma’s diner.

The walk didn’t take long, and I liked looking at the shops as I passed by, especially the flower shop. Mrs. Riordan’s flowers were beautifully displayed in the front window. I’d die before admitting it, but I loved flowers; just the sight was enough to brighten up my day. I walked in, enjoying the sweet and fresh smell they emitted.

“Jess, it’s been a while,” Mrs. Riordan greeted me, coming out of the back.

I smiled at her and watched as she fixed her green apron. Since the first time I’d walked in here, she made me feel at home. I think she knew I needed to find beauty in something.

“I’ve been busy with work, and the cold weather makes me lazy.”

She gave me an understanding smile. “You want a surprise, or do you want to pick?”

“Surprise me,” I told her.

She always made the most beautiful arrangements. I loved putting them as centerpieces on the dining table. The flowers were the first thing I noticed when I came home, and while I ate, they made my days a little brighter.

“I’ll be back. Going to get some coffee. You want something?”

“Oh, tell Emma I want my usual.”

“You got it,” I said, saluting her.

I quickly made my way to Emma’s as I let the cool March air calm down my thoughts.

As soon as the diner's windows came into view, I could see it was packed. I walked in and headed straight to the counter. Since there was someone ahead of me, I looked at the blackboard, mostly out of habit more than anything because, let me just say, the thing was cursed or on some uija board shit. It was always spot on; it was scary.

I’ve never been the most important thing to anyone—not even myself. -Ranta Suzuki

I felt it. Damn, did those words hit me deep in my soul. Those words ran through my veins, trying to rip me apart and take everything from me. I wasn’t important enough to my mother or my father. In the end, I gave up my only family so Rosie could have things I never did, and now I wasn’t even important enough for her.

“Hi, Jess.” Emma came out and gave me a hug pulling me out of my dark thoughts. “You okay, darling?”

---