Page 30 of No Such Thing as Serendipity
Robyn tilted her head with a puzzled expression on her face.
“Sharper beaks,” Emma said.
“Ouch. You’re right.” Robyn smiled. “Or geese.”
“Ugh,” Vera said. “Those things are just mean.”
I couldn’t believe I was in the middle of a conversation about pugs and birds. There was nothing I could contribute, so I leaned against the counter and listened.
When the topic shifted to swans, I zoned out and studied the lodge. With repairs and modernization, the place could be special. I imagined how it looked in its heyday and what improvements could spruce it up.
My attention was drawn back to the conversation when I noticed flies buzzing around Robyn’s face. Each time she shooed them away, they returned.
“Do you have a flyswatter?” I asked.
Vera’s eyes widened, but Robyn spoke. “I don’t want to harm them. Where did they all come from, anyway?”
Emma raised her hand and drew her shoulders in. “It was my fault. I put my fingers through the screen.”
“Nonsense,” Vera said. “The hole was already there.”
Robyn nodded. “She’s right. With this many flies, they didn’t just get in. Vera, do you have any duct tape? I could patch the screen.”
Vera crinkled her nose. “That would look hideous. Make us look low class.”
“And all these flies don’t?” Robyn waved her hand as more flies dive bombed her.
Vera laughed. “I think they like the way you smell.”
“Ew, what are you trying to tell me? Aren’t they attracted to decaying things? And manure?”
“No...well, maybe, but I thought they liked sweet things, too.”
“Maybe it’s your hairspray,” Emma said.
“Nope, I don’t have any on.” Robyn ran her hand through her tousled hair. “This mop is all natural.”
“Really?” Emma smiled. “I love how carefree it looks.”
“Thanks,” Robyn said.
Emma was right about Robyn’s natural look. Robyn’s vibe said she didn’t strive for perfection, which was a foreign concept, considering the women I’d dated. Still the look suited her.Right.Because I knew her so well.
Robyn picked up the packet Vera had laid on the counter. “I better let you ladies finish checking in.” She smiled. “I’ll see you around.”
“You will,” Vera said. “Robyn is one of our most beloved facilitators.”
Robyn let out a half snort. “Don’t listen to her. She’s just sucking up, hoping I’ll teach more classes.”
“Well, now that you—” Vera said.
“Oh, no.” Robyn held up her hand and walked backward toward the door. “I’ve got to return to the store.” She nodded at us. “It was nice meeting you both.”
We responded in kind, and then she was gone.
“She’s a sweetheart.” Affection glimmered in Vera’s eyes. “She’s helped me out of several jams over the years. Always willing to pitch in whenever she can.”
“She sounds like a gem.” Emma shot me a glance when she said it.
