“Why don’t we all sit down and have coffee one night?” Gloria said. “Hazel must still have her kettles. We’ll get a few people together and see how we can help.”
“I’ll bring cupcakes.” Glancing past Gladys, I spotted Patty at a nearby table. This had snowballed.
“Are you having coffee without us?” Harvey asked.
“They don’t need roosters in the hen house,” Walter chimed in.
Evie’s face had grown slack as all conversations in the bistro turned to the bed-and-breakfast. Her eyes darted back and forth until she stared at me. Their goodwill had turned into an overwhelming force of positivity. She feared that she’d start something, and at best, it’d survive; at worse, it’d fail, and we’d be out of a lot of money.
I smiled. Evie had the support of Firefly, and they wouldn’t let one of their own fail. I watched the expression as she transformed from flatlander to local. From here on, Firefly would do everything in its power to ensure she succeeded.
“I’ll text everybody,” I said, taking the heat off her. “I’ll make sure there’s coffee.” Gladys patted me on the shoulder as she and Gloria exited the bistro.
Evie leaned forward, eyeing me and Bobby. “What just happened?”
“Remember how you said your bosses did nothing to support you at work?” Her confusion amused me, and I couldn’t help but snicker.
“You’ll never have to worry about that in Firefly,” Bobby said.
“Now, eat your food before it gets cold,” Simon added. “Let us know when you have details on coffee night. I’ll bring snacks.” He hopped off his chair, and a second later, he vanished into the kitchen.
“I’ll come by later tonight and check out the space. Now I need to see some men about a chicken coup.” Bobby’s attention turned to Harvey and Walter. He slid off his chair before walking to their table. “How’d you break the coup this time?”
We were left alone, and I continued chowing down until I finished my sandwich. As quickly as the brainstorming session started, it ended. I almost laughed at the absurdity. The residents of Firefly would make their voices heard, whether or not Evie wanted it. This is how they showed love, and all eyes were firmly on her.
Meanwhile, I still needed to figure out a solution for the carnival. If they were going to help Evie, I wanted to return the favor. Before we left, I paused at Dorothy’s station, reaching into my bag and pulling out a page from the sketchbook. I admired the image of Simon in his apron at home, focused on the pots and pans on his stove. I flipped it upside down, setting it on the podiumbefore heading out. It was the least I could do for his support.
Now, to find solutions tomydilemma.
Simon: It’s beautiful.
Bobby: I’m getting jealous.
Jason: You? I’ve known him thirty years!
Simon: Have you thought of showing off your art?
Chris: They’re popping up all over town.
Jason: I need me some radical loving.
Simon: Oh… you’ll get plenty tonight.
Bobby:…
Chris:…
Jason:…
Simon: Shut up. You were all thinking it!
Silence.
Silence meant bad. I don’t think in all the years I knew them, they didn't have something to say. Why, of all nights, did Amanda and Jason stare at me as if I had grown another head? Amanda, with her head in Jason’s lap, stared at the ceiling, raising a hand as if she had an idea.
Her hand dropped as she shook her head.
“You don’t haveanyideas? You’re killing me.”
