The Shop on Main(3)
Jake had his arm protectively around his mother. The woman patted her son’s hand. “It’s okay, dear.” She looked up at Owen. “Oh, and Mr. Campbell? It’s not Mrs. It’s just Sylvia Landry.”
~ * ~
Bella parked in front of Becky Lee’s cute little cottage. Jenny was already there, her sporty car parked in front of the cottage. It was time for their once-a-month meet up, not that they only saw each other once a month, but the first Monday of the month was always written in ink. Bella certainly needed a dose of her friends tonight. Her life was constantly poised on the brink of chaos and she needed not only support from her friends, but also a big glass of wine. Maybe some chocolate.
She climbed out of her car and shut the driver’s door. The car window slid down inside the door. Great. Just what she needed, another wrench thrown into her previously well-planned life. Well, it wasn’t supposed to rain for a few days. There was a piece of cheery news. Maybe her brother, Gil, could help her fix the window this week. Sure, she’d just add it to her to-do list, the list she never managed to actually get through.
Jealousy towards Becky Lee’s cute little paid-in-full cottage washed over her, followed quickly by guilt. What kind of person was jealous of another friend’s hard work and a bit of inheritance? She’d love more space for herself and the boys. And a yard. Still, she was just darn glad to have their apartment.
The door to the cottage popped open. Jenny and Becky Lee stood in the light spilling out on the front porch.
“Izzy! You made it. Come on, we’ve already cracked open the wine.” Becky Lee motioned her inside. Jenny had decided, the first time she'd met Bella, that Izzy was a better nickname for Isabella than Bella. So began the years of Becky Lee and Jenny calling her Izzy. It always made her feel special and accepted to hear them use the nickname.
Bella crossed the yard and climbed the porch stairs. She was just steps away from the coveted glass of wine.
Jenny plopped down on the overstuffed floral couch in Becky Lee’s front room. “I’m exhausted. Remind me again why I became a teacher?” She kicked off her shoes.
“Because you love it?” Becky Lee sat down beside Jenny and poured glasses of wine for each of them.
“Thanks.” Bella picked up a glass and took a sip. Ah. Yes, that’s what she needed. Good wine and good friends.
“Rough day, Izz? You look a bit frazzled,” Becky Lee said.
“Some of it’s just the usual shop craziness. I did get time to set up a new display. You guys should see it. A teal painted armoire—it’s just gorgeous—some vintage dresses that I hung in it, and couple of paintings in really old frames.”
“Sounds really pretty. You have such a good eye with that.” Jenny reached to the coffee table and took one of the delicious-looking canapés.
Bella had her eye on the strawberries dipped in chocolate. She reached and helped herself to one. “Becky Lee, I swear you always try to outdo us with your cooking when it’s your month. I mean really, the last time it was my turn to host, at the last minute I took you guys to Magnolia Cafe. Which obviously wasn’t a treat for Bec.”
“Oh, I don’t mind eating there. I know I work there all the time, but I still love the food and it’s kind of fun to actually be waited on there instead of serving people.” Becky Lee took a canapé. “Oh, my heavenly days, this is good, if I do say so myself.”
“Well, Timmy had the flu last month when it was my turn. I knew you didn’t want anything to do with that.” Bella remembered the round of flu she and the boys had generously shared with each other.
“No, we probably didn’t.” Jenny agreed.
“Besides, I always feel guilty having you to our cramped apartment over the store. I sometimes miss the days of the big house in Ashford Heights, but I sure don’t miss Rick.”
“Here’s to getting rid of Rick.” Becky Lee raised her glass. “He wasn’t good enough for you, Izzy.”
“No, he probably wasn’t, but this struggle for every penny isn’t much fun either.” Bella smiled at her friends. “But, guess what. I actually saved some money this month. Savings. Imagine that.”
“That’s fantastic. I knew you’d make a success of the store,” Jenny said.
“I am doing okay. Thrilled to put money in savings, but I’m just a bit overwhelmed these days.”
“Bless your heart, Izz. You’ve got every right to feel overwhelmed. Look at all you do every day. You’ve got those two boys to take care of and you have the shop to run.” Becky Lee said.