Page 51 of Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall
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By mid-afternoon, Maggie was exhausted, and the café was still humming with activity. People had left and others had come in, and Zach had stayed the whole time, moving from table to table, chatting with everyone and playing plenty of games. He’d talked to Ben at one point, and Maggie had strained to listen but with the conversation, music, and the veritable roar of the espresso machine, she hadn’t been able to hear a word that had been said.
A few minutes later, Ben had come over, a long, emerald-green cape flung over his shoulders. “Look what Zach got me,” he exclaimed as he turned around to let the cape swirl out. “It’s a sylvan energy robe.”
“A what?” Maggie answered with a laugh.
“It’s from RainQuest,” Ben explained in the tone of someone who thought she should have known this, which she supposed she probably should have. “He got it from a special gaming store in Hartford. Isn’t thatawesome?”
“It is very awesome,” Maggie replied sincerely as she duly admired the cape. “You look like a grand maestro.”
“I know, right?” Ben agreed, beaming. “It’s perfect. He said I should wear it when I’m working the floor here. It can be my thing.” He hesitated, the old anxiety once more shadowing his eyes. Maggie had been so grateful to see less of it in the last few weeks. “You don’t think that’s too…weird, do you?”
“Are you kidding me? It’s exactly the vibe of this place. It’s amazing, Ben,” she stated firmly. “Go ahead and strut your stuff.” Ben grinned and Maggie watched, smiling, as he straightened his shoulders, threw his head back, and then returned to the floor of the café.
Most teenagers, she knew, wouldn’t be caught dead in a sylvan energy robe, but she loved that her son was now able to wear it with pride—and that Zach had helped him gain that much-needed confidence. And, she realized, he’d bought it inHartford… where he’d been the day she’d been trying to talk to him. Had he gone there specially, just for Ben? Maybe Jenna had been wrong about him being on a date…
Once again, she tried to catch his eye, but he wasn’t looking at her. It had to be deliberate, she thought. He had not met her gaze once in all the hours he’d been in the café. The realization was both humbling and hurtful. He must still be so angry with her, she acknowledged bleakly. Either that or he’d become indifferent, which felt worse.
By four o’clock, things were finally starting to slow down, just a handful of customers left, and Maggie was dead on her feet. The opening hours of the café going forward were noon to six, and she half-hoped it wasn’t as busy as this, because she already knew she wouldn’t be able to manage it. Today, however, had been a very good one for business, and she was glad for all the support.
“I think I’ll shut down the espresso machine,” she told Lynn when there hadn’t been any coffee orders for fifteen minutes. The only people left in the café were Zach, Ben, Joshua, Zoe, and Bella Harper. They were all playing the boardgame version of RainQuest, with Zach, Ben and Joshua the most committed, trying to explain to Bella and Zoe how it all worked, the board on the table in front of them with about a million tiny pieces.
“This is like, a serious investment of time and energy,” Zoe remarked, shaking her head as she ran her fingers through her short, hot-pink hair. “I’m in awe. I’m also kind of intimidated.”
“It does take a certain mental discipline as well as a commitment to the craft,” Zach replied gravely, and Joshua nodded seriously. They fist bumped, their expressions appropriately somber, which made Maggie smile.
“I can see how it could be really cool,” Bella said, only somewhat dubiously. She glanced at Ben. “Do you have the patience to teach us, though?”
“Oh.” Maggie watched as her son’s cheeks turned pink. “Definitely.”
Zoe laughed as she shook her head. “I never knew this side of you,” she told Zach teasingly. “An RPG gamer. You are so not who I thought you were, Zach Miller.”
“Well, I’m glad you’ve come to your senses,” Zach replied lightly.
Were theyflirting, Maggie wondered with a lurch of something close to panic. Zoe was closer to Zach’s age, and she was pretty and funky and fun. Why shouldn’t they flirt? Why shouldn’t theydate?
Why were her insides knotted up with jealousy and agitation at the mere thought?
Maggie tried to listen to their continuing banter as she cleaned the espresso machine, but she was too far away to hear, and frankly, that was probably for the best. She did not need to add to her anxiety and obsession at this point, but she was determined to talk to Zach and give him a proper apology for the way she’d behaved. Maggie just hoped she managed to find an opportunity.
“This has been really fun,” Lynn told her as she came back to the kitchen to help clean up. “And my cake went over well.”
“Your cake was amazing,” Maggie told her. They’d served it along with the free coffees when people had bought a boardgame, and it had definitely been appreciated.
“You’ve been amazing,” Lynn returned, “and so has Ben.” She paused, dishrag in hand, as she gave Maggie an earnest look. “Honestly, I’m so impressed by how you guys have pulled this off. You know I had my doubts?—”
“Ye-es,” Maggie replied with a good-natured eyeroll, and Lynn laughed.
“But I mean it. This has been a total success.”
Maggie glowed from her sister’s praise, but she still felt she had to be the voice of pragmatic pessimism. She’d already learned how much hope could hurt. “Well, this is just the beginning,” she told her. “I mean, everyone comes out for the grand opening out of curiosity, and the free coffee—and cake! But as for the future…” She let the words trail away before finishing. “I just hope it really is a success. And that we can eventually turn a profit, because Matt’s life insurance won’t last forever.”
“I think it will be a success.” Lynn gave her arm an encouraging squeeze. “A big one. I have a good feeling about this.”
Impulsively, Maggie threw her arms around her sister’s shoulders and gave her a hug that Lynn laughingly returned. “Thank you, Lynn,” she said, her voice muffled against her sister’s shoulder. “That means a lot.”
“I’m serious,” Lynn said as she gave her another squeeze. “You’ve done well, Maggie. Really.”
