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“How could I not? He really is a good egg, and he’ll for sure be missed around here. Zach, Beth Ann, and the girls all swear he’s the funniest person they’ve ever met. I’m sure they’ll be heartbroken when they retire and move away.”

“Retire? Those two?” Katherine’s mother scoffed, leaning in to whisper. “They’re not retiring. Isabella got a better offer from a television station in Miami, and Frank is selling his business to invest in a company that builds swimming pools for celebrities and members of Miami’s elite.”

“Wow!” Katherine said, not caring if her voice rose above the whisper her mother was attempting. “What is with her? She cantell everyone else’s business but then be so secretive about her own. Why not just tell the truth?”

“Theyaretelling the truth. Bella said she was leaving WDSG, and Frank said he was selling his business. If people assume something else, then so be it.”

“But why be so secretive?”

“That’s just it. They’re not being secretive. They’re setting boundaries. They don’t have to explain their entire lives to everyone. Where they go and what they do is for them to decide without other people’s opinions or input.”

“How doyouknow so much about it?”

Katherine watched as her mother scanned the room before leaning in even further. “Frank came by the house a few months ago, eager to share the news with your father, and made us swear to secrecy until their plans were set in stone.”

“If it was such a big secret, why tell you and Daddy?”

“Well, I suppose because your father and Frank are still close, even though Bella and I haven’t been since she put her career before our friendship,” Mrs. Bennett said. “I’ll be the first to admit she had no right to report on your life the way she did. If you ask me, chasing down all those stories about Max was unforgivable.”

Katherine sensed that her mother losing her friendship with Bella would always sting a little, especially when Isabella Vaughn was the first friend her mother made after moving to Windsong as a teenager.

“I’m sorry, Mom.”

“I’m not.” Ginny smiled, touching Katherine’s cheek. “Life is about choices. I have a wonderful family, and Bella has her career.”

Katherine smiled back, relieved to hear that her mother wasn’t disappointed with her choices and the path those choicesled her. She knew first-hand how painful making wrong choices could be.

“Frank also said WDSG is hiring a new reporter. Although the name escapes me.” Ginny pondered for a moment before continuing. “Anyway, what I do remember is that Bella’s position will go to someone who already works there, and the new reporter will take over the stories for the ten o’clock news. So, you never know. Maybe someone lovely will move here and fill the void of a lost friend.”

Katherine looked lovingly at her mother—Ginny Bennett—ever the optimist.

“Oh, look at the time. I must be going,” Mrs. Bennett said, gathering her things. “I’ll let your father know you want to see him. Although, I’m not sure when he’ll have time to come by.”

Walking her to the door, Katherine kissed her mother’s cheek and said goodbye. She was more than ready to escape to the refuge of the diner’s kitchen. Worry and emotional exhaustion had only added to the physical exhaustion she felt when the day started.

** *

As dinner service slowed down long before the eight o’clock closing, Katherine felt completely drained of energy.

“I think we should call it a night,” she informed Grace Chen, drawing her attention away from the history book she was huddled over. Grace, the daughter of Suzie and Mr. Chen, worked at The Copperwall after school and every Saturday. “I’m fading, and I’m sure you’d rather study someplace else.”

“Okay,” Grace said, closing her book. “I’ll get started on clean-up.”

As she cleaned the coffee brewer and wiped down the counter, Katherine went into the kitchen and prepared Grace’s favorite meal to send her home with.

“Thanks, Katherine!” Grace beamed, knowing the box handed to her was filled with fries and a grilled cheese sandwich.

“Don’t you ever get tired of eating the same thing?”

“Never,” Grace laughed, reaching under the counter to grab her backpack and stuff her history book inside. “What I get tired of is Chinese food.”

“Impossible.”

“Maybe for you,” Grace said, reaching for the grown-out strands of her bangs and giving them a disgusted sniff. “But I swear the smellnevergoes away.”

“I know what you mean,” Katherine laughed, pulling a loose curl from her temple to her nose. “Except my problem isn’t Chinese food. It’s French fry smell.”

“That’s not a problem. That’s the dream,” Grace laughed, throwing her heavy backpack over one shoulder. “Well, that and being the first female President.”