Page 14

Although, who am I to judge what’s normal?
“I’m from Montana. Lots of pretty mountains, but it’s a lot colder than it is here.”
“All done, Paxton. Mom’s gone back to sleep, do you wanna help me with breakfast in about an hour?” Maribel comes back into the room with what I recognize as a coffee decanter thing, three-quarters full of the black liquid, and a couple of fresh cups.
“Yeah. Do you need help with anything else today?” He looks so proud of himself, and I feel like I should try to be more like him.
Is this what all children are like?
“Maybe we could see if Mac wants to come and help you with that garden patch today? There are some new plants and seeds waiting in the outbuilding.” Maribel sits herself down where shewas before she left and pours herself a fresh cup of coffee. Then she puts in half a spoonful of sugar and a dash of cream from the tray of things she has prepared on her coffee table. “Coffee?” She’s looking at me now, not Paxton.
How do I know if I’ll like it? I haven’t even finished the herbal tea she gave me before.
“Here, give me your cup.” She pours another coffee into an empty cup, followed by a whole spoonful of sugar and a little more cream than she had in her own, then holds it out for me to take.
“Thank you.” I pass her the basically still full cup of tea and bring the coffee to my lips, taking in the rich scent. If the smell is anything to go by, I think I’m going to like this a lot. “Oh, wow.” One sip. Two. It’s hot, but it’s not burning… three. “This is delicious!”
Maribel winks and sips at her own coffee with a gentle smile etched across her features.
“Erm…” I clear my throat, taking my own advice and being more forward, carefree… unafraid. “I think I should get a job. I mean, I’ve only got about fifty dollars left and I want to be helpful. Pay for your kindne—”
“Let me stop you there, hon. You will never have to pay me for my kindness.” Maribel leans forward and takes one of my hands in hers. “Kindness is free. Okay?” I nod slowly, finding it difficult to fully digest what she’s saying. “That being said, a job would be a great idea if that’s what you’re thinking. Is there anything you’d like to do?”
I love that she isn’t asking about my actual experience, which is zero, instead, she’s asking something that I haven’t even asked myself. I don’t know what I’d like to do. Other than the whole escape and head to the address Mom made me memorize thing, my planning is pretty non-existent.
“I have no idea.” I’m going with honesty. That’s the person I want to be. Honest and kind.
I can feel my cheeks heating a little with embarrassment, but I smile through it, and Maribel’s returning grin doesn’t feel forced.
“My friend Lucy and her husband own a coffee shop in town, and with Christmas around the corner, they’re looking for some extra staff.”
“That actually sounds really good. Should I call?” With my new love of this black liquid, it feels like the Morai are dealing their fateful hand and dropping what I need in my lap. Plus, using a phone for the first time will be an adventure all by itself.
The collar of the white shirt Maribel loaned me feels uncomfortable against my neck, but I’m not complaining. The sleeves are long, thankfully covering my arms, and the fleece-lined coat is keeping me warmer than I imagined as I walk toward the coffee shop. It’s only fifteen minutes away from Maribel’s, and it’s pretty much a straight walk.
The constant sound of rumbling engines seems to follow me, but that must be an outside thing. I haven’t spent much time out in the real world by myself, so this is probably normal. If I’m being honest with myself, I quite like the sound. It reminds me of the kind man with crazy friends who took me to Maribel’s yesterday.
Bear… Brock.
It was surprising to learn his mom ran the home I was trying to get to, and even more surprising to learn that it had been burned down. The knowledge helped me understand why I felt drawn tohim in a way, like knowing this made everything he said and did seem more believable.
He made me feel a lot of other things too, but I’m not ready to unpack that. Depending on the size of this town, I may never even see him again.
The coffee shop comes into view and my heart begins rapidly beating against my chest, but if I’m going to give life a shot, I need to push through some of my fears.
After interacting with some of the women at Maribel’s, I realize that my attitude is surprising considering what I’ve been through. The thing is, my mom gave me hope before I left her, and yeah, it’s been like twelve years since we saw each other, but the attitude she instilled within me, plus my training on how to present myself in a lot of situations, have both made me stronger. I know this. I’m thankful, in some ways, for the things I’ve been able to learn.
Maybe the trauma of it all will catch up to me one day and rip me apart like everyone expects, but for now, I’m just trying to live. I know that life I escaped from can’t be what fate has in store for me. For anyone, really. I’m actually proud of myself because, by all accounts, I should be broken. But I’m here. Still breathing. Living.
I intend to do that to the best of my limited ability.
With a deep breath, I open the door, loving the tinkle of the little bell, and walk inside. Maribel already explained some of the things I’ll be expected to do while working here.
“Hey, you must be Athena?” A petite lady with short gray hair and a huge smile holds her arms up high from behind the cash register.
There are round wooden tables surrounded by matching chairs with soft, cushioned seats, and the lighting is what I can only describe as ambient. Two rows of cakes and treats behind a sheet of glass sit beside the cash register, and the whole placelooks kinda cozy. There’s a small bookcase in one corner of the room with a couple of soft armchairs facing each other, like a little corner of luxury.
“I am. Are you Lucy?” I walk farther into the coffee shop and the lady moves swiftly around the counter to greet me, her hand outstretched.