“I was wondering… well…” his voice trailed off, as if he couldn’t think how to finish his sentence.
“Yes?” Katherine smiled encouragingly.
“I wanted to know… that is… How would you like to come work at the Harborside?”
Katherine’s eyes sparkled. “Oh, I’d love to!... but…”
Now it was Katherine’s turn to look nervous. She desperately wanted to say yes. After all, to spend whole days in a place where history and adventure permeated the air, oh, it would be lovely! Yet, she had to be honest.
“There’s one problem,” she said.
“And what would that be?”
“I could only come on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
The captain studied her anxious face for a moment, then burst out heartily, “Just the days I could use yer help!”
He gave Katherine a smile she had never seen on his face before, a real smile –a happy smile. It lasted just a moment, then, returning to his accustomed seriousness, he continued with what Miss Harriet would have called “the particulars”.
“You’ll arrive by eight o’clock, and leave when the work’s done. The shop closes at five-thirty, and I’m always headed home by six, but some days I may be able to let you go sooner than that. Other days the work might go a bit later. It just depends on how much there is to do and how quickly we get it done. You’ll get a break for lunch, of course. I can’t afford to pay you as much as that woman does, but I’m not opposed to payin’ you more if the shop does well. Sound okay to you?”
Katherine, too delighted to speak, only nodded happily.
“Well, then,” said the captain, “I guess I’ll see you Tuesday morning, at eight o’clock—sharp.”
* * * *
Katherine walked back to Miss Harriet’s, her heart all aglow with excitement. When she arrived, the shop was full of customers. There had been a rush while she was gone, and she could tell that Miss Harriet needed her help right away. She set the package in the kitchen and threw her frilly floral apron over her head. She tied it quickly and smoothed her hair before walking calmly out from behind the kitchen curtain to welcome a woman and her granddaughter who had just come in.
Katherine spent the rest of the day hurrying from table to table, cheerfully taking orders and delivering food. She kept so busy that the afternoon flew by, in spite of her impatience for the day to be over so she could tell Miss Harriet her news.
At last, it was closing time. She helped Miss Harriet clear the tables of their dishes and teapots. Finally, unable to keep her excitement to herself a moment longer, she exclaimed to Miss Harriet,
“You’ll never guess what happened at the Harborside today!”
Miss Harriet laughed. “Well, now, I did wonder. Whatever it was, it’s had you fairly floating ever since you came back!” Katherine grinned, trying to stand still, feeling she might burst with excitement.
“All right,” Miss Harriet pulled out a chair and sat down, motioning for Katherine to take a seat in the chair across from her. “Let’s hear all about it.”
Katherine quickly sat down and began her tale.
“Well, when I got there today, the captain was so preoccupied and strange, I wondered what could be wrong. And then when he was done filling the order, he asked if I’d like to work there! It would only be twice a week… on Tuesdays and Thursdays.” She searched Miss Harriet’s face for signs of disapproval, unsure how her employer would feel about her taking on a second job, especially considering the town’s view of the two shops as rivals.
“Well. And you accepted the position, I hope?” was her reply, to the astonishment of her young friend.
“You’re okay with me working there? Really?”
Miss Harriet smiled. “Yes, I am. Truly.” She leaned back in her chair and sighed. “Goodness knows I don’t pay you near enough for all the work you do here, and while your room and board are covered, you’ll want to be saving up. This will help you do that, although I can’t imagine he’ll be able to pay you any more than I do.” A sly sort of smile twitched around her mouth. “Besides, it will give you an excuse to go over there more often.”
Katherine blushed and looked down. “Is it that obvious?” She asked as she raised her eyes again.
“Only to me. And if I weren’t such a generous soul, I might be a bit jealous.” Miss Harriet said teasingly. “Now, just to satisfy my curiosity, why is it that you enjoy your visits to the Harborside so much?”
Katherine sat silent for a minute or two, thoughtfully considering the question. “I don’t know for sure… It’s partly that there’s so much to learn, and everything seems to be tied to history –you know history was always my favorite subject in school, as well as my major in college. And then there’s the feeling I got when I walked in that very first day. You know, it’s odd, but I just can’t shake it. Whenever I’m at the Harborside, it feels… well, like…like…”
“…like home,” finished Miss Harriet gently.
“Well, yes, I suppose so. It seemed strange to say it out loud. How did you know?”
“For the simple reason that I recognize in you the same glow I had when I first found this place.” She looked up and surveyed the shop into which she had put so much time, effort, and love.
“You may have heard the story of when I first arrived from Rosie’s Luncheon Society. I’m well aware it’s one of their favorite tales when someone new comes into the shop. I had been looking up and down the downtown blocks at every vacant space, and nothing seemed right, somehow. But then I walked down this last block and as I turned to look at the realtor’s sign in the window, I just knew it was the right place.
Of course, I had certain features I was looking for, and a budget to keep to, but as I looked through the dingy window at the counter with its horrible peely paint, and the floor you could hardly see for the dust and grime, it hit me. All of a sudden, for the first time since leaving Mother’s cottage in England, I felt I was home—and so I was. Even now, when I walk in the door each morning, I feel like I’ve come home.”
“I suppose,” said Katherine thoughtfully, “That’s why everyone who comes here feels so comfortable. Maybe your ‘at-home’ feeling transfers to all the people who walk through the door. Like the day I came, for example. I don’t quite know if it was the shop itself or just you, but I know I felt welcome right from the start, and I’ve never felt otherwise since.”
Miss Harriet leaned over and gently squeezed Katherine’s hand. “And so you are, Katherine. I’m ever so happy you came.” There was a moment’s pause as the two smiled, enjoying the new depth of their friendship, then Miss Harriet broke the happy silence with, “Well, now. Let’s get this place tidied up!”
7 Katherine’s First Day at the Harborside
The following Tuesday, Katherine awoke while the soft light of morning was just beginning to peek in at the window overhead. She looked through her clothes, trying to decide what an employee of the Harborside should wear. With a mixture of excitement and nervousness, she got dressed, ate some breakfast, and set off in plenty of time for her first day of work.
