“Speaking of…” Peter’s eyes lit up. “Since you’re in town, maybe you could take Mimi’s place on the Carnival Planning Committee?” I hadn’t thought about how the carnival came to town, just that every year, like clock work, it happened. The next day, I’d pack my bags and head home.
“I’m not sure I’ll be here that long.”
“Think about it. They could use all the help they can get.”
Mimi might have been an adventurer, but she cared deeply for her home. “I’ll think about it.”
“I’ll let Harvey and Gladys know.” Good old Firefly, where maybe signaled a commitment. At least it’d get me out of the house. Who knows, maybe the fireworks would have the same magic they did twenty years ago? Except this time, I wouldn’t run away. Well, I’d run, but I’d have Tyler in tow for a night of debauchery.
“If you need anything, please let us know. We’d be honored to provide flowers for her…” Marigold’s voice trailed off. Hearing her get choked up served as a reminder of how much Mimi meant to the community.
“That’d be lovely. Thank you, really.”
“What’s that?” Peter asked, gesturing with his coffee cup toward the sketchbook.
I quickly shut the cover. “Oh, nothing. Doodling keeps my mind busy.”
“Sounds like somebody needs an adventure,” Marigold said as she stood. I almost made it out of the conversation when she shot me a wink. “I hear there’s a nice librarian who could use an adventure, too.”
Of course, they knew.
“Does everybody know we went on a date?”
Marigold’s eyes went wide. They hadn’t heard, and here I was adding to the rumor mill. “We do now,” Peter said with a deep laugh. “Good for you, kiddo.” Because nothing says romance like the town cheering you on. They continued chuckling as they exited the coffee shop.
I cursed for outing myself. My phone buzzed as I went to take another drink of my coffee when I realized my cup had emptied.
Evie: I’m coming.
I stared at the message. Gently nudging had done the trick. Seeing Evie had been the goal. Part of me wanted her to walk through the door and connect like we used to. It didn’t stop the anxiety from kicking in.
Jon: Did you know Mimi went to Hawaii?
Evie: No! I didn’t know she left Firefly.
Jon: Our grandmother had a double life.
Evie: It explains why she always made us try poké.
Jon: …
Jon: Can’t wait to see you.
Mimi had circled the date we arrived on the calendar every year. I always wondered if we upset her normal schedule with our teen angst. Now, I thought we might have been the least exciting part of the year. Though, you’d never know the way she embraced us in a vice-like bearhug.
“Calendar,” I mumbled. A lightbulb had gone off, partly thanks to Marigold’s comment and Mimi’s insistence on highlighting our arrival. I spent enough time in Firefly to know when one of their own was in danger, they’d rally. However, Tyler didn’t need a spaghetti dinner. He needed something to put him on the map.
Jon: Amanda, we have an S.O.S.
Amanda: Red alert?
Jon: Get the troops ASAP.
Jason: Has to wait until tomorrow.
Jon: Why?
Jason: Spaghetti dinner tonight. Red alert tomorrow.
