The rain outside the windows has slowed to a light shower, as if relieved the nightmare is over, and the weather is shedding a few tears for Sarah and her family. For all those impacted by what happened. For Jess.
Mrs. Seger gives me a hug. “How are you doing, Zara? You were so brave, standing up to that man.”
I smile at the woman who recently retired from teaching high school math. “I’m not so sure about being brave.”
“You definitely were,” her friend says, her hair covered under a coral hijab.
“Thank you.”
I grab the broom and dustpan, sweep up the broken vase, and toss the damaged tulips into the compost bin.
Keshia and Anastasia are at the counter, talking, as I approach. Anastasia is pouring hot water into a tea pot. Steam unfurls from the ceramic container.
“Did Jess see any of that?” I ask.
Anastasia puts the pot onto a tray. “She did. She came out of thekitchen at the same time we did and is pretty shaken. She’s in the staff room with Troy.”
“She called him?” The dull ache in my shoulders has intensified over the last few minutes, and the base of my spine, my hips, and my knees aren’t fairing much better.
“No, I texted him,” Keshia replies. “Like he asked me to do if Jess has a flashback at work.”
Of course, he did. He’d asked me to do the same when Jess returned to work part time at P&T. I should’ve known he would make the same request to the rest of the staff.
“I’m going to check on her. Could you two get everyone anything they need—on the house?” Still lightly massaging my shoulder, I walk down the hallway to the staff room. At the doorway, I stop kneading the muscle and stride into the room.
Jess and Troy are sitting on the couch. Troy’s talking to her in a low, soothing voice, one hand on the curve of her spine. The other is holding her hand. Bailey, Jess’s golden retriever, is lying on the floor by her feet. She has on herService Dog in Trainingvest, indicating she’s on duty.
Jess smiles softly at Troy, and my insides go unexpectedly warm. I don’t remember having a boyfriend as attentive as Troy is with Jess. They are the perfect couple, so sweet and loving after all they’ve been through, together and separately.
They gaze lovingly at each other, and a small amount of jealousy for what they share wiggles into my belly. There’s a silent communication between them, as history has taught me well, that often shortly proceeds Troy and Jess kissing.
I clear my throat, causing them to tear their gazes from each other. “Sorry to interrupt. I wanted to make sure you’re okay, Jess.”
Her smile returns, brighter this time. “I am.”
Troy opens his mouth to speak, but Jess’s hand squeezes his thigh, and his mouth snaps shut, trapping whatever he was going to say.
She snuggles farther into Troy’s side. “What about you? You were the one risking your life.”
I scoff out a half laugh. “I would hardly call what I did risking mylife.” Hopefully she didn’t catch everything that went down…specifically the part where the man broke the chair. “Is there anything I can get you?”
“No, I’m fine. Thanks.”
“I’m taking her home, if that’s okay with you?” Troy’s tone carries a featherlight warning. He plans to take Jess home early, no matter what I have to say.
“I was going to suggest she bails as soon as she has her legs back under her. I’ve got everything under control. And if you need a few days off,” I tell Jess, “that’s fine too.” She’s scheduled tomorrow, but I’ll come in early to cover her shift.
Relief smooths out Troy’s brow. “Thanks, Z.”
I walk over to my friend and hug her. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Have fun on your date tonight.” She flashes me an easy smile. “Make sure Joseph takes good care of you.” Her eyes flick to Troy for a fleeting moment, her message clear:Make sure your boyfriend takes good care of you the way Troy takes care of me.
Lord, I’d forgotten about my date. Do I even want to go anymore after what happened?
The rest of the afternoon is a whirlwind of activity. I barely have a second to catch my breath.
“Do you have everything you need?” I ask Anastasia at the end of my shift. She and Clara are here until closing.
