The Shop on Main(17)
“It wouldn’t be inflicting. I love your boys.”
“Well, I hope to just find a new place right away if we have to move. Though, since my lease is month-to-month, a new landlord has really no obligation to me at all. It’s such a mess.”
“If you need anything—cash for a bit— whatever, you’ll ask me, won’t you?”
“I appreciate the offers, but I’ve done all this on my own, and want to keep doing it that way.” Bella took a sip of her wine. She was so proud of all she’d accomplished with the store and supporting the boys after the divorce. She didn’t want to take help now. She relished the independence and financial freedom she’d scraped together for them. Even if it wasn’t a lot of money she made, it was enough to keep them comfortable.
“It’s okay to accept help, you know. My help wouldn’t come with demands, or even suggestions on how you do things.”
Bella sighed. “I know, I just want to do this by myself.”
“Okay, but the offer stands. Moving in here for a bit or some help with finances if you need it.”
Bella knew that Jenny, and Becky Lee for that matter, would do anything to help her. She just hoped she could figure it all out for herself because there was no way she would let herself become part of her friends’ responsibilities.
“So, back to this Owen guy.” Jenny changed the subject.
“What about him?”
“You going to go out with him again?”
“I didn’t go out with him…”
“Maybe you should ask him out.”
“Jenny, I barely have time to breathe these days, much less date someone. Between the boys and the store, I’m plumb exhausted.”
“I could help out at the store this summer. It would be fun. I love your store. You have such a great eye on finding just the right items to sell and putting it all together.”
“Jenny, really, I appreciate all your offers, but your life is busy enough without adding in my problems.”
“I wouldn’t mind.”
“I’ll figure it out, Jenns. Don’t worry about me.” Bella just hoped she was right, that she could pay the new amount of lease payment if the new owner even wanted to rent to her. Or if she could afford a new place for the store and an apartment for the boys. She ran her hand through her hair. She hated that everything was so up in the air right now.
Well, soon enough she’d find out her fate with the store and apartment. Maybe she should just be glad for the time she had until it all fell apart. Or maybe the new owner would lease it for the same amount and let them still live above the store. She’d hold onto that hope for as long as possible.
~ * ~
Jenny cleaned up the dinner dishes after Izzy went home. She wished her stubborn friend would take some of the help she’d offered. Jenny wasn’t surprised, though. Izzy just wanted to make it on her own after Rick left. She admired the determination, but hoped that a new landlord wouldn’t blow up Izzy’s carefully constructed post-divorce life.
Her phone rang and she smiled, sure it was Becky Lee wanting to catch up on any news.
“Hey, Jenns.” Becky Lee’s voice came over the phone.
“Hi, Becky Lee. What’s up?”
“How was dinner with Izzy? Did she talk about Owen?”
“She insists it was a chance meeting, which I guess it was, but it was nice that she finally had at least dinner with another male. I know she hasn’t been on one date since Rick left.”
“I’ve tried to set her up. Lots of times. She just turns me down. I know she’s busy, but every woman deserves a bit of fun in her life. And my offer is there for you, too. I could fix you up.”
“I’m not ready to date. Not ready at all. It’s just too soon.” Jenny balanced the phone between her ear and her shoulder and continued to clean up the kitchen.
“Well, the offer stands.”
“You’ll just have to keep trying with Izzy. Sooner or later she has to date someone again.”
“Yes, it’s probably not smart to push her to go out with some guy who is just in town for a bit. But I thought it might be good, I don’t know, training for real dating.”
Jenny laughed. “A training date. That’s an idea.”
“Did Izzy hear anything on her lease yet?”
“No, not yet. I wish she’d let me help her, but she is so stubborn. She wants to do it all by herself. The girl does love her independence.”
“Well, I don’t blame her for that. She’s come a long way in the last few years. Made everything happen herself. Made her own choices. After Rick commanding what she wore, what she cooked, what she drove, I don’t blame her for wanting to do things on her own.” Becky Lee’s voice reflected the pride she felt for her friend.