Page 44 of Starry with a Chance of Nightshade

I did my best to power through the muffin, worried I’d be let go over this. The baked good went down like my throat was made of sandpaper. Not that the muffin was bad or anything. It was quite tasty, but my mouth was dry.

ChapterSixteen

Astria

The doorfrom the back kitchen and office area opened. Yolanda came walking out. I wasn’t aware she was back from her errands and wasn’t sure how thrilled I was to see her. She’d left her café in my allegedly capable hands only to return to the inmates running the asylum.

She was in a pair of slim-fitting, dark gray capris and a pair of mule heels, with an oversize white button-up shirt that hung to her thighs. It was undone partway down in front, showing off a white tank top and several gray-beaded necklaces. She was the epitome of style and grace, whereas I looked like I’d gotten dressed in the dark.

I wasn’t sure how old she was, but she felt like we were close in age. “Grandma, what are you doing?” she asked.

Peggy smiled (or something that might pass for one) at Yolanda. “Never you mind. Aren’t you supposed to be taking it easy?”

“I’m sorry. I’ll get everyone taken care of. I didn’t mean to stop.” Cringing, I tried to hold tight to my emotions.

Yolanda glanced at me. “Oh Astria, don’t worry about it. My grandmother is known the world over for not listening to anyone and doing as she pleases.”

Peggy stood just a little taller as she began pouring coffee into to-go cups. She handed them off to customers, who then headed to the register.

Faye took their form of payment, working the cash register as if she’d done so hundreds of times before. I’d worked my fair share of registers in my life, but the coffee shop’s was more like an iPad on a stand with something that looked like a card reader attached to it. Faye looked like a pro.

Angela made the fancier drinks without missing a beat and set them on the counter for Faye to ring up.

I basically stood there doing nothing but cramming a muffin in my mouth, concerned Peggy would hold to her word and do it for me if I didn’t.

Yolanda approached and offered a warm smile. “Want something to drink with that?”

I glanced at the now-empty cup that had held my juice. I turned, filling it with tap water.

Yolanda rolled her eyes, taking the cup from me and setting it in the sink. She then set about making me some sort of fruity water thing that looked amazing. “Follow me.”

I started to, only to have Peggy step into my path. She glanced at my hand with the half-eaten muffin. “I expect you to finish that, young lady.”

I cleared my throat and nodded, clutching a fruity drink in one hand and the muffin in the other, feeling like a scolded child rather than a middle-aged woman. “Yes, ma’am.”

Faye and Angela laughed as I quickly rushed after Yolanda.

She led me through the door to the hallway and then to her office.

I entered and waited to be told I was fired.

She went to her desk, bent, and opened a drawer. Pulling out a small tin box, she glanced at me. “Drink.”

I did, realizing then just how much of her grandmother she had in her.

She seemed pleased as she spoke. “I was inputting your information into my computer so I could get you all set up on payroll and spotted some issues.”

“Oh?” I asked, pretending to be surprised. “On what part?”

“There are no past references. No phone number. There is no social security number,” she returned. “Want me to go on?”

“Oh, really? Hmm, I must have forgotten to fill some things out,” I countered, the lie flowing freely. My pendant heated more but I didn’t have a free hand to grab it. Torid wanted out, no doubt sensing my unease. Tensing, I tried to will the pendant to stop.

It didn’t.

In the next breath, the pendant cooled instantly. I knew what that meant.

No. I don’t need you, I shouted with my mind, hoping Torid would hear me through the pendant.

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