Page 20 of Midnight Whispers
“Good morning, Soph. What’s up?” I groggily answer.
“Hey boss. Sorry to call you on your day off.”
“No worries.” I sit up in my bed and rub my eyes with my free hand. “What’s up?”
“We had a call out for the afternoon shift and nobody can come in. I can stay if you need me to.”
“No, no. I don’t want you to do that. I’ll come in. Your shift ends at noon?”
“Yeah.”
”Okay. I’ll be there around then.” I check the time on my phone, ten.
I throw my legs over the side of my bed, groaning in disappointment. This is the part of business ownership I didn’t like. My mind drifts to thoughts of my dad and our days together at Alcott’s, especially right after it opened. He really thrived there. The smile he wore almost all the time was contagious. After Mom left, I didn’t think Dad would ever find happiness like that again.
There’s music coming from the kitchen, which means Flora is cleaning. She always listens to her true crime podcast or her early 2000’s emo playlist while doing chores around the house.
“Mornin’ sleepy head!” she exclaims while she cleans the counter, spraying it with disinfectant and wiping it down with one of our reusable cleaning towels.
I meant to say hey, but it sounded more likehumph.I put my kettle on the stove and start the fire before getting my mug and a teabag.
“I must push our picnic to a dinner picnic. There was a call out and I must go in to cover the afternoon,” I explained.
Flora shrugs casually. “No prob, babe. I’ll just clean up and stuff around here. I’ll pack the basket, anything specific?”
“Shark-Coochie boarrrrd!” we sing together at the same time, laughter erupting from the both of us immediately after.
“I’ll bring drinks from the shop. Meet you at the beach at like six-ish?”
”Perfect.”
My stomach rumbles, so I grab a pan and put it on the stovenext to my kettle. I reach across the counter and grab the loaf from the bread box, pulling out two slices, and turning to Flora over my shoulder.
“Grilled cheese?”
“Are you trying to seduce me?” She winks. “Absolutely yes! I want one.”
I pull a couple more pieces out, buttering the outside of the pieces and grabbingKraft singlesout of the fridge. After I assemble the sandwiches, I put them in the pan. The sizzling sound of the butter hitting the pan is always the most satisfying part for me. They cook for a moment, until it’s perfectly golden and I flip it.
After they’re done, I plate them and I finish making my tea so that I can get ready for the day, leaving Flora in the kitchen to sing her favoriteA Day To Remembersong in the background.
There’s an overwhelming feeling in the back of my head that I’m being watched when I walk into my room. I cross the floor and go to the window, looking around the edge of the house. For whatever reason, I’m half expecting to find someone standing at the end of the driveway. I close the blinds and shake my shoulders, hoping that physically shaking out my anxiety will help.
I dress in preparation for the night after my shift. I put on ripped skinny jeans, an oversized cotton t-shirt, and finish off the look with a chunky cardigan and my white high-top Converse. I finish my grilled cheese and put the plate in the sink. After I throw everything into my satchel and wave goodbye to Flo, I jump on my bicycle and ride into town. The weather today is beautiful and the perfect October day, clear skies and a little bit of a chill. Sophi is alone inside of the shop, apart from the two customers who are sitting at a table talking.
“Hey boss,” she calls when I enter.
“Hiya, Sophi! Slow day?”
“The morning was busy, but it’s slow now. I hope it stays this way for you.”
I throw my satchel into the office and pull out my e-reader, readying myself for what I hope will be a slow afternoon. The sound of Parker’s voice stops me in my tracks, sweat beads along my forehead.
“Just tell her I’m here, Sophi. I see her bike outside.”
“Parker, I know she’s told you that you can’t come in here. Just do yourself a favor and leave.”
“I just want to say hi.”