“Okay.” The reply sprang automatic, like, “please,” and “thank you.”
He offered his usual wave from the door, and Bryony moved on to the next customer in line. If Lillian hadn’t been called away to provide care for a sick grandchild, Bryony would have taken a break. As it was, she would have to manage her feelings and the line of thirsty, hungry people all by herself.
Two lattes and two bagels followed by a dozen plain bagels and copious amounts of distraction wrapped up the next two customers. She accomplished far more excellence in service for customers three, four, and five. By the sixth customer after Cal’s departure, Bryony was able to bring herself back to the moment, far removed from the not-so-buried memories of Susie and Charity when they were young.
The regular customers, seeing the enormous task of managing the afternoon rush alone, helped as much as they could. They brought their mugs and plates to the counter and threw away their trash. Their kindness reminded Bryony she had not merely survived her youth, she was in a better place, surrounded by people who didn’t insult or taunt her.
Her calmer mood lasted into the evening, but when she pulled the peanut pie out of the oven, number seventy-five on the list, she thought about the comic strip and Charlie Brown’s gullibility. She was done being the gullible one. The next time the Lucy factor in her life pulled the ball away, Bryony would not end up on her back.
When Cal called at eight o’clock, she didn’t answer her phone.
CAL’S CLASH
Raindrops left black dots on Cal’s dark gray canvas sleeve. He jogged to the coffee shop door from his car. Once inside, he unbuttoned the front of his coat and wiped his shoes before stepping off the flowered welcome mat.
The coffee shop buzzed with activity. Todd, Lillian, and Bryony flew around each other, three birds angling and swooping, their wings flapping with precision. He’d hoped he might catch Bryony for a minute. Not much chance of that happening too soon in this much hubbub.
Between his father, the munchkins, the Halloween party, and several heart-to-heart discussions with Heidi about how to help their father, Cal had only been able to call Bryony at odd hours the entire weekend. He hadn’t been surprised when she did not answer.
On the trip back to Fieldstone, he’d called from the road to cancel their Sunday night plans because he left Cleveland later than originally planned. That call, too, went to voicemail.
He only had a few minutes before he needed to leave for school.
Chuck, Charity, and Susie occupied a table halfway between the service counter and the door. Susie saw him first and waved him over.
He walked to their table, his eyes on Bryony. Hers were on the people directly in front of her, on the opposite side of the counter.
“I’m so glad we didn’t give up our extra chair,” Charity said. She removed her leather bag and patted the chair seat. “Come and sit, Cal.”
He sat on the brown chair, across from Chuck, without removing his coat. “You’re out early this morning.”
Chuck sported a fresh haircut. A navy blue sweater brought out the lighter blue of his eyes. “Doc gave me a good report yesterday,” he said. “He says if I keep this up, I could maybe start working again in the spring.” He did look better, but he still needed more bulk and tone in his muscles.
“Whoa there, champ,” Cal said. “I’m not ready to give up my post.”
“No worries. I’m taking the rest of the year off, as planned,” Chuck said.
Cal smiled, his hands in his jacket pockets. He glanced at the service counter and could only see Lillian and Todd now.
“Cal,” Susie said, louder than necessary.
He brought his attention back to the table but remained more interested in the person he could not see, hoping the flow of customers would ease so he could talk to Bryony. The weekend had been fun, but hard in some ways. He had seen the difference his absence made to his family, the need for him to be there.
“I heard the other day that you know our little Bryony,” Susie said. “She’s not the Shy Bry she used to be.”
“I never thought of her as shy,” Chuck said.
“Don’t you remember that time she was called on in World History to answer a question, and her face turned so red we all thought she might burst into flames?” Susie asked. “We had a good laugh about that.”
“I don’t remember that,” Chuck said.
“I do.” Charity’s voice was low, and her expression hard to read.
“Of course you do,” Susie said. “Bryony was famous for being the sweetest of the least noticeable girls. I always thought she might be pretty if she put any effort in.”
What was Susie up to?
Cal stood. “Sorry, I need to grab a latte and run. Chuck, Charity, have a great day. Susie, I’ll see you at four?”
“Let’s meet here?” Susie asked
“Sure,” he answered. Perfect. Closing time would limit their meeting time. He didn’t want to meet with her at all, but Susie had insisted she could help find additional funding for the work study program. Cal owed it to the young people to do all he could to help.
Three people stood in front of him when he joined the line. After they were served, he approached the counter while opening his wallet.
“Good morning, Mister Forster,” Todd said. “What would you like this morning?” The young man who had hung his head for the first few weeks of class now stood tall. There was no reward greater than this.
“I’ll have a latte and a turkey sandwich to go.”
“Coming up!” Todd moved deftly to fill Cal’s order.
Bryony was nowhere to be seen.
“Where’s Ms. Green?” Cal asked when Todd delivered his order.
Todd looked around the coffee shop. “I don’t know. She was here a minute ago. Do you need to talk to her?”
