Page 68 of Of Literature and Lattes
They sat in silence for a little while longer until Lexi checked her watch. “Back to Mirabella for me.”
Alyssa arrived home a couple hours later after a few errands and a stop at Andante. Jeremy wasn’t there. The shop sat dark and closed, again.
When she texted him about having a new and great idea, he answered.
Can’t wait to hear it. I’m on the case with Becca and have so much to tell you. My place tonight?
It’s a date.
Alyssa smiled as she pushed open the back door.
Janet stood in the kitchen unpacking food from two large paper bags.
“What’s all this?”
“Lexi sent it over from Mirabella.” Her mom lifted the containers one by one. “We’ve got a beet and grilled clementine salad; beef tenderloin with a balsamic glaze; grilled romaine Caesar salad, no parmesan in the dressing, it says right here, and no croutons; grilled broccolini with shallots and bacon, olive oil, no butter.”
“She brought this over?”
“She sent a delivery guy. Here’s the note.” Janet stretched a thick linen card to her. A deep redMwas inked in the center.
To Janet and Alyssa—Enjoy a night off. No gluten, no grains, no dairy, no guilt. All my love to you both, Lexi.
“She’s such a good egg.” Janet smiled.
“She misses you too.” Alyssa popped a beet into her mouth.
Chapter 30
That morning Jeremy woke Becca at six o’clock. He couldn’t wait any longer. They’d made all the muffins the day before, so he didn’t need to get to work early, but he did want to open the shop. Alyssa was right the week before when she had said it wasn’t over. It had taken him a few days to recognize it, but it wasn’t. Not yet. And there was no honor in scuttling the ship. He at least wanted to let his dream sink with dignity, if he couldn’t save it.
And the Fourth of July was in two days—he wanted Andante open.
“Sorry, Ladybug. We have to get going.” Jeremy perched on the edge of his daughter’s bed with a single hand on her hair.
Becca didn’t complain. She simply blinked, yawned, nodded, and within a few minutes emerged from her room dressed in shorts, a striped T-shirt, and flip-flops.
“Come here, Bug.” He tapped on a kitchen stool. Once she’d wiggled her way up, he ran a brush through her long hair. He felt the wonder of the simple yet profound motion. It was such a personal thing, brushing someone’s hair, and he got to do that for his daughter—at least for now. When she moved, this connection, like so many others, would be lost.
And it was beautiful. He noted how her brown hair shone in the light after he brushed through it. Reflected it even. It was darker than his or, in fact, anyone in his family. He smiled because he knew that now, for certain.
The memories hadn’t stopped. Since that moment at the park last week, they flashed to him in waking moments and filled his dreams while sleeping. His mom was dark blonde almost to light brown, blue-eyed, and had one dimple when she smiled. And she had a laugh that had dissolved into a snort more often than not. His dad’s hair was a light auburn with gray at the temples. Much like Jeremy’s own. They watched football together, and his dad cycled. He wore that “kit,” the brightly colored spandex you see on TV when you watch the Tour de France. And his mom ran in the mornings and on weekends. She used to meet his dad and him at his soccer games on Saturdays, glowing from her long run. And his dad always brought her a cream cheese bagel and a coffee to enjoy while she watched him play, and his dad coached...
“Mommy said we’re going to look for a new house next week.”
“In North Carolina?” The brush stilled in his hand.
His daughter twisted to face him. “I don’t want to go... I’ll work harder, I promise.”
“Work harder?” He lowered himself to her eye level. “This has nothing to do with you. Mommy was offered a new job.”
“She said I need a new school.”
“Hey... If you move, yes, you’ll get a new school, but that’s not what this is about.” He pulled her close.
“Yes it is, but I want to stay here. I like my school. Mrs. Guttierez says I’m the best in math class, and I was voted class captain for next year. And what about your shop? I wipe the tables and put the magazines straight. We made the muffins and now Ryan’s gone. You need me.”
“I always need you.” He held her at arm’s length to look her in the eyes. “You do a great job and I love that you help me out so much, but you can’t worry about this, okay? We’ll figure it out.”
