Page 15 of Axel

“So, you and mom thought you could go and smooth things over just in case.”

“Precisely.”

“I don’t need you to butter things up for me.”

“She is nice.”

“We’ll see.”

Finishing the coffee, he went back inside to go and take a shower.

*****

The café was delightful, the chairs and table a unique blend of the very old and slightly trendy. Ellie supposed everywhere had gotten a facelift, since their famous resident had started the restoration process.

They had not exaggerated the deliciousness of the omelet. The buttered toast was the best she had ever tasted, and the coffee was reasonably good.

The owner, a buxom woman of indeterminate age had served her, making a beeline for her table as soon as she entered.

She had been plying her with coffee and conversation, most of which centered around Axel and his family and his childhood. She was aware that people were eager to be included in the article she was planning on writing and that they were willing and eager to say or do anything to make that happen.

“Axel was a tyrant.” The woman’s name was Rosalyn, and she had dyed her hair a brassy red that did nothing for her florid complexion. She was also wearing too much mascara and the lipstick she had on was too bright for her complexion.

It made her complexion more florid and highlighted the thinness of her lips, but she was friendly, and her place was neat and tidy.

“Oh?” That was all it took for Rosalyn to pull out a chair and join her while telling her lone staff to continue serving the others. People had drifted in while Ellie had been enjoying her meal and had sent her curious looks. By now, the entire town was aware that she was here and why she was.

“Yes.” Rosalyn bobbed her dyed head, a twinkle in her faded blue eyes. “I have known him since he was a little tyke. He used to come by here to try and weasel me out of a slice of pie.”

“Was he successful?”

She bobbed her head again. “He was much too skinny, but there was a reason for it.” Her expression became woeful. “There wasn’t enough money for food and with that wretched father of his running off when they were little, Caitlin could barely manage to put food in those two children’s bellies.”

“I am sure that a small town like this with everyone knowing everyone else, people rallied around them and offered to help.”

The woman had the grace to look ashamed. “We did not do our part much.”

“And now Axel Lakeside is a very big deal.”

“Yes!” Rosalyn fiddled with the salt and pepper shakers in the form of ducks in a pond, her fat fingers gripping the plastic. “We are very proud of him.”

“I am sure you are.”

Rosalyn peered at her as if searching for some hidden meaning. Not finding any, she launched into a story about Axel getting into a fight with the Landers boy right in front of the café.

“Who won?” Ellie asked mildly.

“Axel of course. He was skinny as a rake, but that boy had the strength of an ox, even at a tender age.”

She went on to say more, but Ellie’s interest had waned. That was not what she was looking for. Tuning the woman out, she let her gaze sweep over the other occupants in the space.

The café boasted a long counter where people could sit and enjoy their coffee while looking out on the street. Gingham curtains hung at windows, matching the tablecloths. The place seemed to be doing a thriving business as more people trickled in, causing Ellie to wonder if news had traveled that she was having breakfast here.

Finishing the coffee, she indicated that she was ready to leave, by pushing back her chair. “Thank you for your time.”

The woman looked a little disappointed but rose and dusted her hands on the soiled apron around her ample waist. “If there is anything…“

“You have been very helpful, and the breakfast was delicious.”