Page 26 of Sew Matcha in Love
There were seven of us volunteering this morning: four moms, a grandmother, and Clarice, our town’s retired librarian. One of the moms looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember where I’d seen her before—long brown waves, light blue turtleneck under a white puffer vest, and jeans.
They were all wearing jeans.
I hadn’t worn jeans since high school. Hopefully it wasn’t a problem. I’d dressed for the part, or so I thought. Long skirt, button-down, argyle vest.
Librarian-ish.
I sidled over to Clarice, whose many years of similar outfits had inspired the look. Back in those days, if I wasn't in the ice cream shop, I was in the library.
I bent down to give her a hug. She used a wheelchair these days and lived at Mountainview Manor in their assisted livingwing, but that didn’t keep her from getting out and sharing her opinions of everyone and everything.
“Look what the cat dragged in!” she hooted. “Arwyn Baughn, do you realize you’re out in public, where there will be…” She paused, and her expression grew mischievous.“People?”
I sighed internally but smiled for her. “Yes, Miss Clarice. I like kids, remember? And I’m trying toengagemore. Get involved a little. Get out of the house more. That’s my word this year.”
She huffed. “Engage, huh? Good one. Maybe you’ll meet someone andgetengaged. Maybe that hot hockey player you’re nannying for. You’ve been alone too long, young lady.”
I could only stare at her, horrified, as she cackled at my expense. “How did you?—”
“There’s no rock here to crawl under, and pink cheeks suit you, dear. You were always so serious, even as a tiny girl. Everyone in town knows. Just becauseyoudon’t get out doesn’t mean the news stays in. Kami! Come meet Arwyn. We’ve been friends her whole life.”
“Until today,” I murmured to more of Clarice’s cackles.
The mom I thought looked familiar hurried over. “Miss Clarice, you’re awfully bossy for the first day of the book fair,” she chastised in a Southern accent. “I’m Kami Emerson. I think we have some friends in common. My husband, Trask, plays for the Edge.”
I shook her hand. “That’s where I know you from. Your daughter is Ryleigh?”
She laughed. “The one and only. She made quite a splash at Tasha and Monty’s wedding. That child sure keeps me on my toes! IlovedTasha’s gown, by the way. You did an amazing job, and in such a short time.”
“Thank you.” I began to relax. “That was one of my favorites to date.”
“I hear you also made Zaki’s Kristoff ensemble?” I nodded. “Incredible! Trask texted me a picture last night. Apparently, Zaki fell asleep on the plane and his seatmate raided his phone. They had a field day when he woke up. All the memes!”
“Yikes,” I squeaked. If anyone ever got ahold ofmyphone, I’d probably die.
“He had it coming. All those pranks over the years? This was nothin’.”
“I guess.” It sounded like a nightmare scenario. I didn’t know what else to say.
“Let me introduce you to the other volunteers.” Kami linked her arm in my elbow and dragged me away from my poorly intentioned crutch that was Clarice. The old woman had the audacity to wink at me as I was led off.
I was put in charge of restocking items as the stacks and piles were picked at by each class. Occasionally, a student asked for help or advice, and I was happy to give it.
As the last class before lunch filed out at eleven thirty, Mrs. Reed, the librarian, called us all together. “Wonderful job this morning! Minimal mess and no tears. I’ll call that a win! As a thank you, the PTA is providing lunch for all the volunteers, in my office, each day this week. It’s already set up. Morning crew, you’re welcome to stay or grab and go. If you’re here all day and/or want to eat lunch with your student or students, I ask that you return before the next class arrives at twelve fifteen. Afternoon volunteers were invited to lunch, but I don’t expect them to arrive until noon. And if you signed up for the morning and want to stay all day, I’ll be glad to have you. Any questions?”
I leaned toward Kami. “We can eat with the kids? Where? How?”
She grinned. “Follow me.”
We filled our plates from the selection of salads and breads in Mrs. Reed’s office and grabbed bottles of water.
“Cafeteria is this way. The lower school students have lunch and recess from eleven thirty until noon, and upper school’s is from twelve fifteen until twelve forty-five. And here we are.” She tucked her bottle of water under her chin and pulled open the door.
I froze.
Waves of memories from the cafeterias of my past rose from their graves and haunted me mute.
“Arwyn? Are you okay?” Kami held the door with her whole body, waiting for me to enter.
