Page 41 of Britta & the Beach Boy
She unlocks the door, and I follow her in. After locking the door behind us, Annie lets out a deep sigh, then locks on a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
“How was the competition?” She takes a chair off a table and sets it upright.
“Amazing. Absolutely incredible to watch.” I follow her lead and set more chairs back in place. “You heard Dex won, right?”
Annie nods, and a flash of joy tugs the edges of her lips higher. “Didn’t I say he was magic on the water?”
My face warms as I nod. I meant the competition was amazing, but Annie wasn’t off in assuming I meant Dex. He was the best part of it.
We talk more while setting up the dining room. I give her as many details as she asks for, but I sense an unnatural quietness in Annie. I don’t know her well, but one day watching her interact with customers and employees has given me a pretty good sense of who she is.
A safe place.Annie’sisn’t just a refuge for people from their busy—often difficult—lives. Annie herself is too.
I imagine most of the time that brings her a lot of joy, but I wonder if it’s a heavy burden to carry when your own life has been turned upside down.
As we prep the espresso machines and workstations, I muster up the courage to ask her a real question, hoping I won’t overstep.
“Is everything okay, Annie?”
She takes a breath, like she’s considering how to answer. “Diva is scheduled to come in at six, but the bus is never on time. Mitzi’s baby is sick, and she doesn’t have childcare for him, so she won’t be in today. Hopefully Sergio can work both shifts.”
“Whew.” I wipe my hands on my apron, already breaking into sympathy sweat for Annie. I’d only planned on volunteering for a few hours, but that won’t be enough. “I can stay. We’ll make it work.”
Annie’s shoulders relax, and she leans in my direction. “If I thought I could do without you, I’d say no. I’ll just say thank you instead.”
“I’m happy to help.” I chew my lip, not wanting to push, but still feel like she hasn’t answered my question. “But… how areyou?”
Annie pauses, then drops her head and shakes it. “Tired. I’m tired, Britta. You heard about my Keesha’s accident?”
“Your daughter?”
She nods.
“A little.”
“She’s been in a rehab center, but my insurance is pushing for her to be released, and she’s going to need full-time care when she comes home.” Annie wipes the already-shining metal counters with an energy like a genie might appear to grant her three wishes.
I bet I could guess what her number one wish would be.
My heart tugs with my own memories of my family and me coordinating our schedules and lives around Mom’s care.
“Have you got help?”
“I’ve got plenty of friends and my church who have offered.” Annie stops scrubbing and leans against the counter with her hand on her hip. “But I’m stretched in two directions when I’m here instead of with Keesha.”
I bob my head in sympathy. “I get that. My mom had Alzheimer’s. My family and I spent five years juggling our businesses and her care. Most of her care fell on me.” I take the rag from Annie and rub down the counter opposite the one she’s worked on.
“When did she pass?” Annie asks gently.
Notif…When. “
She knows without being told. That’s what makes Annie a safe place.
“End of April, but I’m still surprised some days when I wake and remember she’s gone.”
“I’m sorry, Britta. You’re too young to lose a parent.” Annie rests a warm hand on my shoulder, which, somehow, is more reassuring than a hug. As if she’s sayingI’m here for youinstead ofI’m so sad for you.
“Yeah, it is.” I face Annie again. “I miss her every day, but I don’t think I’d change anything, even if I could. It was an honor to care for her.”
