Page 35 of Watching Henry

“I guess I get that,” Florence said, intrigued despite herself.

“So I put this flag up here and maybe it attracts some attention and maybe people know that this is a safe place, a place where it's okay to be yourself, and if we fall into conversation and if someone needs my help, well, that's what I'm here for. People wanna talk, people need a little advice over their coffee, that's fine by me.”

For a split second Florence seriously considered saying something. Seriously, actually considered spilling this weird thing that was swirling around inside her. But she clamped her mouth tight shut and said nothing.

“Is that going to be a problem?” Eleanor said, taking a step back and looking at Florence with new eyes.

Florence suddenly realized how she must look. “No, no, of course not, not at all,” she said quickly. “It's nice, it's lovely, it's a kind thing to do.”

For a second there she knew that Eleanor had thought she was homophobic or uncomfortable with the conversation and that wasn't the problem at all. She'd never given things much thought but she guessed she didn't particularly care if she fell in love with a man or a woman.

She'd never really planned to fall in love at all.

The word gay didn't mean much to her, it didn't strike a chord. Nor did lesbian. But then again, straight didn't either. At the end of the day she couldn't see that it made much difference. This was all just another part of her, a part that she was discovering and learning about and that was just fine with her.

No, intimations of gay-ness really weren't an issue one way or the other.

Intimations of having feelings for Hadley, on the other hand, were.

“You okay there?” Eleanor asked. “You're a bit pale.”

“Just tired,” Florence said quickly. “Being on my feet all day.”

Eleanor laughed. “I'd say this is nothing after chasing around with three kids all day, but what do I know?”

Florence smiled politely. She kind of wanted to ask Eleanor if she was gay herself, but she didn't know if it was rude or not. She'd tell the kids to err on the side of politeness, to avoid questions that were too personal, so that was what she did.

“Why don't you grab a cup of coffee and have a sit down for ten minutes,” Eleanor said. “Legally you're supposed to have a break anyway.”

Florence nodded absent-mindedly and poured herself a cup from the pot before going over to a corner table and resting her weary legs.

This was all too much. It was something she should bury and ignore. Something she really didn't need to be thinking about.

Hadley.

Of all people.

Hadley who was irresponsible and flighty, who had wanted to leave the kids to go to some festival, who thought ice cream was a dinner substitute, who gave hugs and kisses away like they meant nothing.

She sipped her coffee. It was good.

Hadley, who had spoken to Henry. Florence had no idea what the conversation had been about. What she did know was that last evening Henry had turned over a forbidden smartphone and had logically and politely asked for a little screen time in exchange.

He hadn't argued, he hadn't sworn or been aggressive. He'd been nice. A change that was patently obvious. And the only thing Hadley would say about it was that they'd had a chat on the beach.

Florence sighed. Hadley confused her. Thoroughly confused her. And she wasn't having anything to do with stomachs flipping or hearts racing. But, she thought to herself, perhaps she could be more charitable to Hadley. Perhaps she could find out a little more about her, connect a little more. They had to spend an entire summer together, after all.

Someone who could calm an angry little boy, someone who could comfort a child that was hurting as much as Henry McLeod-Allan was, couldn't be all bad.

There was goodness in Hadley, and for the first time Florence thought that she might be interested in discovering it.

Chapter Sixteen

Hadley clicked the stopwatch just as Emily crossed the finish line.

“Winner!” she said.

“Really?” moaned Charlie. “But I was faster.”