Page 24 of Choosing Forever
I shake my head, picking up my walking speed when she starts getting a bit ahead of me. “I’ve stopped drinking the stuff in there. It’s always burnt.”
“Okay, right? I thought that they’d just stopped making it because it always tasted like ass. But no, I think someone’s just emptying the entire pot into a big mug or something and not making another one after.”
“And you’re really bothered by that,” I note, a laugh teasing my throat.
She whips her head so fast in my direction I’m shocked when it doesn’t fly off. “Yes! It’s common decency to start another pot after emptying it. That’s like using all the toilet paper and not replacing the roll.”
I pinch my lips together, staring straight ahead.
“Don’t tell me you do that, Della,” she groans.
“I live alone! If I don’t replace the roll, it’s me who has to grab another one.”
“And what if you had company? Aman?”
Sobering slightly, I roll my eyes at her. “That hasn’t happened in a long time, so I think I’m safe.”
“Until you aren’t. Then, you’ll be calling me and apologizing.”
“Apologizing? Not a chance.”
“Yup. You will be.”
“You know, maybe it’s been me stealing all the coffee,” I say, shrugging a shoulder.
Her finger jabs into my arm. “Don’t even joke about that. I’ve had to start buying coffee every morning on my way here, and while I love the café, I’d love to not have to spend five bucks on something I could be having for free here.”
“Have you ever, I don’t know, tried making coffee at home?” I tease, eyeing the three teachers slipping into the conference room ahead of us.
“Okay, well, you see, I love Bryce, but she makestheworst coffee. I’m talking worse than the burnt stuff here. And I don’t have it in me to tell her that and take over the job. It’s safer if I just don’t go anywhere near it at all.”
“That’s acceptable, then. You’re just being a good girlfriend.”
“Exactly! You get me, Della.”
“I’ll see what I can find out about the coffee, alright? Put my sleuthing hat on.”
She grips my arm, giving it a thankful squeeze. “You’re the best.”
I flash a smile and follow her into the conference room. We’ve got to be close to the last ones here with how crowded it is. Several sets of eyes fall on us as we find a couple of seats near the back of the room. It smells like burnt coffee in here, and I swallow a giggle when Daisy stares in disgust at the carafe on the table.
It’s safe to say that we stay seated while we wait for Penny to get here. Once she does, the energy in the room stays the same, relaxed but curious. Nobody seems worried about what this is about, but we’re clearly all antsy to get home.
“Hi, everyone. Thank you for staying back for this today. I know it was last-minute, and I promise it won’t take too long.”
I glance at Daisy and find her doing the same to me. Her lipstwitch in a humoured smile before we look back at Penny together.
“As I’m sure you all know, the drive-in caught fire last night.”
My throat tightens as I listen, discomfort making me shift on my chair.
Penny frowns, tucking a curl behind her ear. “I can imagine that it was a bit of a shock to hear the sirens so late, but there is good news amongst the bad. Mayor Lemieux has set forward a plan to rebuild it. That’s why I’ve asked you all to join me here this afternoon. In addition to putting forward this rebuild, he’s asked for some help from the community, including the school.”
“I’m sorry, Penny, are you saying that the mayor wants the drive-in fixed?” I ask, surprising myself.
The attention of the entire room falls on me, and I immediately want to make a run for it.
“Yes, he does, and I have a volunteer form for everyone to fill out on your way out. So, if you’re interested in helping, please consider adding your name,” Penny says, glancing around the room.
