Amanda: Hear me out…
Jason: Very scared.
Amanda: What if we hire strippers?
Jason: Strippers running a carnival?
Amanda: I’m sensing judgment.
Jason: Consider yourself judged.
Amanda: I don’t see you coming up with better ideas.
Jason: Stripper carnies are NOT a good idea.
“So this is the Bistro on Maine?”
I gave Evie a deep bow as I opened the door. “I know you’re craving city food.” It was less abouta good meal and more about her having a conversation with Simon about the bed-and-breakfast. She remained shaky about the idea, and I thought a talk from one business owner to another would settle her nerves.
“It’s charming,” she said, as if surprised Firefly had more than a grocery store. “Reallycharming.”
Dorothy waved her in. “Welcome to Bistro on Maine. Simon’s on fire today. I’m going to recommend the breakfast sandwich. We also have fresh squeezed orange juice. It’s a little pulpy for my taste, but what can you do?”
She guided us to the only empty table. I dropped my backpack to the floor as I took my seat. I knew the town showed up for their own, but I didn’t expect it to be this busy. Gladys and Gloria waved from three tables away. Harvey and Walter moaned while chowing down their meal, loud enough to be unsettling. Almost everybody I knew in town was having a late breakfast today.
“Whatever you suggest, I’m game. But coffee, please.” Staying up late packing with Evie had left me a phantom of a person. “Strong. Like, moose levels strong.” Dorothy shot me a wink before vanishing into the kitchen.
I spotted Sheryl reading the paper. If Laurel walked in, we’d have the entire carnival committee. I prayed they didn’t come up and ask if I had found a solution. I did not. The longer I thought about it, the more I liked Amanda’s idea of strippers. She continued bombarding me with every listing in the state. Who knew there were so many exotic dancers in Maine?
“Coffee.” Dorothy set down two cups of coffee. “Sipslowly. I’m not responsible if your heart races.” She leaned back, eyeing us both. “So you’ll both be having the breakfast sandwich?”
Eggs were calling my name. “I was thinking?—”
“Breakfast sandwich, right?”
Evie raised an eyebrow at Dorothy’s determination. I opened my mouth to object, and she leaned in, making it clear there was no arguing. “Breakfast sandwich sounds great.”
“I would like?—”
“Two breakfast sandwiches coming up.” Dorothy took the menus off the table. “Good choice.”
I smiled at Evie’s confusion. “I don’t think you understand how small towns work. Embrace the madness.”
“That was the most city experience ever. If she had hurled an insult, it’d be just like Boston.” Comparing Firefly to Boston bordered on comical. “She pronounced her R’s, so we know we’re not in Boston.”
“Wait till she speaks in Quebecois.”
“Really?”
I tilted my head. “You came here every summer. Did you learn nothing? What did you do for two months?”
“Made out with boys, mostly. Stole alcohol with Laurel from her dad’s liquor cabinet.” My eyes widened at the confession. “Did you know they grew pot behind the elementary school?”
“Evie!”
She gave a slight shrug. “Who’s more of a native now?”
My sister took after Mimi more than I imagined. I wondered if Evie had ever drank the whisky from the flask? Or worse, the image of them on the back porch smoking a joint came to mind. No. No. No. I refused to think about my sweet little grandmother… never mind, it wouldn’t shock me if she had.
