So, I’ve gotten up on time this morning, despite still feeling a bit icky. Hope you enjoy today’s story, and remember, it doesn’t stop for weekends!
December 3
“And how are you doing today, Mrs. Dorr?” Molly stopped by one of the tables in the tea room to smile down at one of her regulars. Mrs. Lucille Dorr usually came in on Fridays, to drink a cup of tea and read while her husband Stephen met with his book club upstairs. Molly enjoyed talking to both of them – they were widely traveled, both mundanely and on the Roads, and they always treated everyone they met as equals.
“I’m good,” Mrs. Dorr said, putting an elegant paper lace bookmark into her spot and setting the large book down next to her sage-colored tea cup. Molly had combed through every secondhand store and Goodwill in the fifty miles surrounding Carter’s Cove to put together the eclectic tea cup, saucer and tea pot collection she used in the store. Every piece was different. And if one broke, well, there was always another in the box she kept in the kitchen. “How are you and Schrodinger doing?”
“He’s obsessed with Santa Claus,” Molly said, laughing. “It’s like living with a six-year-old genius. I never know what he’s going to say next.”
“The CrossCats are such interesting creatures,” Mrs. Dorr said, nodding her head. “We’ve met a few, on our travels, but never were lucky enough to have one wish to stay with us for long. You’re a very lucky girl to have him live with you.”
“Oh yes, I know.” Molly looked over to where Schrodinger was curled up in his bed by the fire. His head was resting on the lap of Sarah, Jamie’s daughter, who was running her fingers over a Braille book, and her lips were moving. Over the quiet rumble of the store, Molly couldn’t hear what she was saying, but she bet the child was reading to the cat. “He’s so much fun. I can’t believe it’s only been eight months since he moved in. I can’t imagine life without him now.”
“Just be glad they’re practical creatures, because eventually, even you will find someone to settle down with,” Mrs. Dorr said, with the unshakeable certainty older women had around Molly. “Speaking of, dear, I hear Tom Alward is back in town.”
“Is he?” Molly blinked. “When did he get back? I thought he was going to be gone for at least a year! It’s only been four months.”
Mrs. Dorr picked up her tea cup, but there was a twinkle in her eyes as she said, “Sarah down at the café said he came in Monday night. Looked exhausted, she said, but happy to be home.”
“Anyone who’s grown up in the Cove misses it when they leave,” a deep voice interrupted, and Molly turned to see Tom himself standing behind her. “I think it’s genetic.”
“I think you’re right,” Molly said, and then couldn’t resist any longer. She threw her arms around him and squeezed him. “Dammit, Tom, it’s good to see you!”
“Because it’s been so long since August?” he teased her, but Molly felt how tight he hugged her back. Tom rested his cheek on her hair and added in a whisper, “I’ve missed you, Molldoll.”
The endearment caused a bit of a flutter in her stomach. The name itself dated back to when she, Tom and the rest of their small gang decided, at the age of eight, to become superheroes. Only Tom still used it, and it always made her smile. “I missed you too, Tomboy,” she said, squeezing him again before dropping her arms. “But, I’m working. Can I get you something?”
He shook his head, and Molly noticed the shadows under his eyes. Still exhausted, she realized, and wondered just what he’d found when he’d left the Cove. Mal had been tight-lipped about it, and there was any number of places a Gate tech could be called to. None of my business, she thought firmly, and glanced down to see if Mrs. Dorr, who was very pointedly reading her book again, needed any more tea. I gave up the right to know where he was going when we broke up.
At least we’re still friends. I’d hate to lose that. “Well, then, give me a moment, and we can go catch up in the kitchen,” she said out loud, and he nodded. “I want to hear everything you can tell me.”
The tea shop tables were all full; Molly made a quick circuit, checking to make sure everything was all to everyone’s liking, and then she went back to the kitchen. Tom followed her in and snagged one of the stools as she pulled out her mixing bowls. “So, what did you want to know?” he asked, nodding when she held up a mug. “Darjeeling, if you have it handy.”
Molly rolled her eyes at him. “It’s a TEA shop, remember?” She detoured into the small pantry and emerged a few moments later with a silver tea ball that she dropped into the mug. Then she poured boiling water from the kettle on the stove and brought the mug to the island. “So, what can you tell me?”
Tom took the chain of the ball. “Not a lot,” he admitted. “I was helping set up a new Gate. And it was cold as hell there.”
“How long are you home this time?” She pulled some cold butter out of the fridge, and, after a moment’s consideration, some raspberry jam.
“At least through New Year’s,” he said. “What are you making?”
“Not sure yet.” Molly wandered back into the pantry, and came out with flour and sugar. Then she pulled out eggs and a few more things from the refrigerator, and began to mix dough. “So, it was cold?”
They chatted as she mixed up cookie dough, rolling the finished dough into logs and placing them into the fridge to chill, along with the egg whites she’d saved. Then she cleaned up the table and offered him some of the snowman cookies she’d made the day before.
“So, Moll, what are you doing tonight?” Tom asked casually, but she saw the look in his eyes.
“Schrodinger and I were going to get a pizza and watch something on Netflix after we left here,” she said, and then hesitated. Should I invite him? Or will he try to start something again?
Tom must have noticed her hesitation, because he smiled. “I was just wondering,” he assured her. “Don’t worry, I’m not looking for an invite. Just curious.”
Molly flushed. “I’m sorry, Tom, I just…”
“I know,” he said. “It’s still a little awkward. But I want to be friends. I don’t want to lose that. You mean too much for me to screw it up again by rushing you.” He got up and went to pull his gloves from his pocket. “Oh, crap, I forgot.” He handed her the red envelope that had nearly fallen to the floor. “Margie asked me to give this to you as I passed by the front – she said it had come in the mail.”
Molly blinked and slid open the envelope. Another CD, of course. This time, the parchment said, “Dear Molly, remember that every day needs a bit of fun in it. No matter what else happens. SA.”
“Mini CD?” Tom looked at it curiously. “You don’t see those very often.”
“I’ve got a friend sending them to me,” Molly said. “This is the third in as many days.”
“SA?” Tom grinned at her. “You’ve got a secret admirer, Molldoll. Enjoy it.” And then he went out of the kitchen, leaving her holding the CD and watching him.
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