Page 62 of Of Literature and Lattes
The young man unlocked the door, opened it wide, and talked over his shoulder as he walked back to the counter and coffee machines. “Sorry. I’m not opening today.”
“What? Why not?” Seth followed him in.
“You didn’t hear about yesterday?”
“Well, yes. But I also heard you were released.”
Jeremy perched against the counter. “This really does operate like a small town.”
Seth nodded. He understood Jeremy’s perspective. He’d only grasped how tight, insular, even invasive Winsome could feel when he was the subject of gossip himself. But there was another part to that, even then, a caring part that had carried him through. “Sometimes it does feel too small, but not today.”
Jeremy lifted his head.
“I’m here for you if you need me.”
“Thank you.”
“And I’m going to ask a favor because I need you. Can I grab a box of coffee?” Seth looked around the quiet, dark shop. “Or is nothing up and running?”
“No. I can brew you one no problem. The Thursday group? No... Wait, I missed that. I completely forgot.”
Seth shook his head. “A bunch of us weren’t there either... Margery Williams passed away last night. I’m headed over to be with George and the kids.”
Jeremy paused. “I heard she wasn’t doing well, but not that.” He moved quickly behind the counter. “Tell me what else I can do. Can I give you some muffins?” His hands flapped to his sides. “Good coffee, bad muffins, it’s all I’ve got.”
Seth smiled. “It’s enough. Sure, give me a dozen muffins and a couple boxes of coffee.” He reached for his wallet.
Jeremy opened his mouth to protest, but Seth shook his head and thrust his card forward. “Do something for George later. This is my gesture, with your help.”
“Okay.”
Minutes later Seth grabbed the paper bag with the coffee boxes in one hand and the bag with muffins in the other and headed to the bookstore. It wasn’t open yet, but he knew Madeline, Claire, and Janet were all inside. They’d heard the news too early this morning and, as usual, gravitated together.
He tapped on the front door’s glass window. Claire let him in. “Janet and Madeline are in the back.”
He stepped through the office and into Janet’s “studio.” The little room always made him smile. “Hey, you two.”
Madeline was perched on one of Janet’s stools. Janet stood cleaning brushes, her eyes red with tears.
“Chris just left,” Madeline said.
“Ah... Was he at the Williamses’ last night?”
Janet snuffled with her nod. “He said she wasn’t in any pain and that they were all there. All six of her kids... and...” She wiped her nose. “It was beautiful.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“I know.” She waved her hand as if trying to clear away sadness. “But she was a wonderful woman.” Janet’s tone suggested that wonderful women should defy the laws of nature and never die.
“She was.” Seth couldn’t stop a little laugh. His soon-to-be-wife-again really was dramatic. “I’m headed over there now. Do you want to come?”
Janet nodded. “Madeline?”
The younger woman shook her head. “I didn’t know them well. The last thing anyone wants to do on a day like today is make small talk with an acquaintance.”
Janet and Seth walked back out the front door and headed to his car, parked in front of Olive and Eve Designs.
Eve threw open the door and called out just as Janet opened Seth’s passenger door. “Janet? Do you have a sec?”
