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I emailed Agent Jones, asking if there was anything I should know. My mother was emailing more than normal and it made me nervous. I knew Agent Jones would tell me if there was anything I should be concerned about, but I couldn’t get rid of the feeling something wasn’t quite right. I added a quick note to let him know I was moving again before hitting send.

I gave Mary my two-week notice first thing Monday morning. She seemed surprised and disappointed.

When she asked why, I told her I was leaving because Texas wasn’t working out for me. I couldn’t tell her the real reason. Thankfully, she accepted my notice without asking a lot of questions.

“If you change your mind, I’d be happy to keep you on.” Mary said, as I stood up to leave. “You’ve been a great addition to the Grannie’s family.”

“Thank you.” I said, hoping I could hold back the tears long enough to escape outside. I didn’t want her to see me cry.

I’m going to miss working here.I enjoyed working at Grannie’s with Beth and Mary. They were both so kind and supportive, like the aunts I’d always wanted. I doubted I’d be lucky enough to find a job as good as this one again.

How am I going to get through the next two weeks without crying every time I come to work?

I was grateful Mary didn’t mention Jack, although I assumed she knew what had happened.

Jack didn’t contact me. It’s not like I expected him to show up and apologize, or beg for a second chance, but it surprised me he didn’t call or text. My emotions switched back and forth between disappointment and relief. I didn’t want to talk to him, but I had hoped he’d at least try to apologize.Just proves I was right. I never meant anything to him.

I wasn’t angry anymore.Well, not as angry. I was still angry with myself for letting my guard down. I knew better than to trust anyone, and now I was paying the price.

Beth didn’t ask about Jack either. She told me more than once she’d be there if I wanted to talk. I could have used a friend, but I couldn’t talk to her about this. She might be my friend, but she was Mary’s best friend.

Another reason I couldn’t stay in Weatherford, no matter how much I enjoyed working here, was because the Sheppards knew everyone. I needed to make a clean break and start over somewhere new.

I didn’t know where I was going yet, but I had two weeks to decide.Maybe Colorado. I could find a tourist town and hide among the throngs of people coming and going all year long.

An hour before my shift ended, a delivery guy walked in carrying flowers. My stomach sank when he announced, “Delivery for Meg.”Great.Only one person would send me flowers. The bouquet was a copy of the one he brought for me on our first date. The note said: I’m sorry. ~Jack.

Fighting back tears, I carried them to the break room without making eye contact with anyone. I ripped up the card and threw it in the trash. When my shift was over, I left the flowers on the table. I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing them.

I was a wreck all day Tuesday. It was hard to do my job while trying to be invisible to everyone around me. It took all my energy to smile at the customers. Jack didn’t ask me if I got the flowers. I didn’t bother to tell him. I went for a walk on my break instead of sitting and reading like normal, because I didn’t want to see the flowers sitting there, taunting me.

I didn’t get a delivery on Tuesday, and for the second day in a row, no one from SSI came in to pick up coffee.

I felt better on Wednesday. I wasn’t good, but at least I wasn’t a nervous wreck. Beth and Mary still avoided talking to me about Jack. My shift was half over when the same flower guy delivered more flowers. This time the bouquet was pink and white carnations, like the bouquet he surprised me with for my birthday. I blinked back tears as I thought about how happy I was that day.

“Meg, why don’t you take your break.” Mary said softly.

“Thanks.” I picked up the flowers and carried them to the break room.

This note said: Can we talk? Jack.

Tears slid down my cheeks. I didn’t want to cry. Jack’s note was a simple, polite request. No begging, no explanations, no demands. I didn’t want to feel sad anymore, so I got mad he was sending them to Grannie’s, where everyone could see them.

At least he hadn’t delivered them in person. The last thing I wanted was to do was deal with Jack in front of his mother.

The soft knock on the door frame snapped me out of the cyclone of thoughts spinning around in my mind.

“Can I come in?” Mary asked.

“Of course.” I wiped my eyes before looking up at Mary. “Am I late?”

“No, I’d like to talk to you. About Jack, if that’s okay.”

I nodded. It wasn’t, but I didn’t think I could tell her no.

“I don’t know the details about what happened, so I won’t defend him.” Mary said, “But I know he cares deeply about you, and I know he’s sorry.”

I couldn’t hold back. “He should be.” I was going to apologize for being rude, but Mary didn’t give me time.

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