"So, wow, I guess you made a way for it to happen. Congratulations."
"Thank you. It all worked out even better. The Sutters built a new multipurpose building for us on their ranch. How long are you going to be in Missoula? Would you like to come out and see the set? I would love it if you did."
"Done!"
I heard my niece yell through the door. We both heard her. It was impossible not to. I smiled and made a face at Alex, figuring there was no use trying to be cool.
"I'm only staying for a few days, but thank you for the offer," I said. I had my hand on the doorknob and I smiled regretfully at him. "It was great seeing you," I continued.
"Yeah, I'll wait until you're finished," he said, nodding a little as he retreated toward the store, giving me space.
"Jojo, it's a big one!" Luna announced proudly right when I opened the door.
"Okay, good," I said quietly to her, cringing.
"Who was you talking to?"
"I saw my friend here."
"Your friend works at this store?"
"He was shopping," I said.
I helped her with her clothes, and we turned to wash our hands.
"What's your friend's name?" she asked.
"Alex."
"Is it a boy or a girl?"
"Boy."
"The boy who told us this was the potty?"
"No. It's someone I met in a different city, at your mom's restaurant when I was working there."
We washed and dried our hands, and then I glanced in the mirror. It was almost as bad as I suspected. At least I had on a baseball cap to hide my hair. My face had its fair share of trouble, too. The towel was clean. I had just used it to dry my hands. Before I threw it away, I wiped my face with it. I adjusted my hat and my hair, though it was sort of no use. I had not touched makeup to my face in a few days.
I took a deep breath and headed back into the store, not knowing if Alex would still be in there or not.
He was there. The hallway with the restroom was near an aisle with soaps and detergents. It was acute little local store, and this guy seemed even larger and more intimidating in a place like this. He turned when he saw us walk that way.
He knelt to speak to my niece. "Is your name Luna?" he asked, stooping down.
She glanced at me, and I nodded at her. She nodded, staring down shyly.
"My name's Alex," he said. He extended his hand, palm up, holding it in her direction.
I watched to see what would happen, and he patiently waited there while Luna reluctantly put her hand in his. Alex gave it a little shake, and I saw her smile when they finished, like she was proud of herself.
"So, you two are heading to Missoula?"
"Yes, Lu's been staying with me in Colorado, but her momma's doing good, so we're going back to live over there. Lu's got a whole bedroom decorated with a princess bed and everything. Audrey's excited about having her back."
My niece curled into my leg when I mentioned my sister. She didn't want to go back to Montana and live with her mom.
"And I'm staying in the spare bedroom, too," I added.
