“I will, baby. I am so proud of you, and as soon as I earn a few more vacation days, I’m going to drive down to visit you.”
Tears filled Cherie’s eyes as she struggled to bring her fragile emotions under control. She wished she could have had this relationship years ago when she needed to confess to her mother about her ongoing affair with a married man and that she’d given up her only grandchild because she’d wanted a better life for herself.
“Thank you, Mama. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
The line went dead, and she knew Edwina had hung up. She sat motionless, willing the tears not to fall. Cherie knew that, if she did cry, it would open wounds that had healed, albeit slowly and leaving scars. She’d spent years resenting Edwina not telling her who her father was, and she still couldn’t understand why her brother’s murder had remained a cold case, while loving and losing Weylin and the child they had made together. She had missed a close mother-daughter relationship, which had evaded her for years, but now that they were given a second chance, Cherie would do everything within her power to make it work.
* * *
Cherie pulled into the parking at the rear of the Seaside Café, picked up the two small shopping bags off the passenger-side seat, and walked around to the front of the building. Kayana had sent her a text saying that they were back and open for business and she couldn’t wait to reunite with her book club friends.
The cold and rainy weather could not dispel her joy at getting out of the house. The company had delivered the living room and master bedroom furniture a week earlier than originally confirmed. However, she was still waiting on the dining-area table and chairs, which were on back order. She’d noticed Bettina standing on her porch watching the activity, and once the workers left, she surprised Cherie when she revealed she’d been hired as a part-time counterperson at the local supermarket’s deli section. Bettina admitted she didn’t need money but had to get out of the house, even if it was for a few hours, because her retired husband expected her to wait on him hand and foot, as if she were his personal maid. Bettina complaining about her husband reminded Cherie of some of the women when she’d worked at the childcare center. Despite their complaints, they appeared content not to change their situations. And now she understood why Bettina sought out her company so often. She’d wanted to put some distance between herself and her demanding husband. It also wasn’t the first time Cherie was thankful she wasn’t involved with someone. If she’d had a relationship with a man after she’d broken up with Weylin, she doubted she would’ve uprooted her life and moved away.
Cherie skipped up the steps and opened the door to the sound of wind chimes. Kayana and Leah were carrying trays from the kitchen. Both were tanned from vacationing in the Florida Keys.
“Happy New Year!”
They set down the trays and formed a group hug. Cherie gave each a small shopping bag. “It’s just a little something I wanted to give you for Christmas.”
“You didn’t have to give me anything,” Leah said.
“I’m with Leah,” Kayana agreed, “even though we did bring you something back as a housewarming gift. But we’ve decided not to give it to you until you invite us over. That’s when we’ll open your gift.”
“That’s going to be sooner rather than later because most of my furniture has been delivered. I’m just waiting on the dining-area table and chairs. Other than that, I’m now looking for accessories. I went online and found a shop in Shelby that stocks area rugs, throw pillows, and bar stools for the breakfast bar.” Cherie still hadn’t decided how she wanted to set up her home office, and she’d stacked boxes of unpacked books, DVDs, and CDs along every inch of wall space in the smallest of the four bedrooms.
“You sound as if you’ve been busy while we were away,” Leah remarked.
Cherie smiled. “I must admit, I’ve been having a ball decorating the house. By the way, I just came over to give you your presents and to ask if I can work here until I begin taking classes. I don’t expect to be paid,” she said quickly. “I need to do something other than sit home all day and spend hours in front of the computer shopping online or watching television. Right about now, I’m a tad stir-crazy.”
Kayana shared a glance with Leah. “Are you sure you want to work here?”
Cherie nodded. She waited until Leah returned to the kitchen to say, “Very sure. I can bus tables and clean up after you guys close.”
Kayana crossed her arms under her breasts. “I’m certain Derrick won’t mind the extra help, but there’s no way you’re going to work here without us paying you.”
“I don’t need the money.”
Kayana shook her head. “It’s not whether you need it, but we can’t have anyone work here without putting them on the payroll. What we don’t need is problems with the tax folks.”
“What if you pay me minimum wage?”
“That’ll work. When do you want to begin?” Kayana asked after a pregnant pause.
“Tomorrow.” Cherie knew Kayana and her brother, Derrick, were co-owners of the Seaside Café, and that meant she had the authority to hire and/or fire an employee.
“Okay, Cherie. You’re hired. I’ll have to get the paperwork for you to fill out a W-9 for your tax information. Once you complete that, Derrick will add you to the payroll. Paydays are every other Wednesday. You can opt to be paid by either check or direct deposit.”
“Direct deposit is more convenient. I’ll bring you a copy of a check tomorrow.”
Cherie had opened an account at the bank on the mainland and written a check to transfer all the funds from her old bank to her new one. Changing her address with the post office and closing out the bank account represented a final break with her past.
Kayana nodded. “This is my week to cook and Derrick’s to clean up. But now that you’re coming on board, he can stay home.”
“What time should I come in?”
“We close at two, so try and get here around one-thirty.”
