I shook my head.I needed to clear my thoughts.So what if it was Mindi who ran the program at the center?We were adults, not a pair of teens.Everything was in the past.She’d denied me, and that was okay.I’d gotten over it and moved on.I knew things had been hard on her when I was gone, so it hadn’t surprised me.What had surprised me was that she hadn’t reached out at least to tell me, but again, I had moved past that, hadn’t I?
I let out a sigh, glanced at my watch, and noticed I still had an hour before I was to meet up with Clay.I glanced across the street at a small boutique shop, Treasures and Gifts.It must be a new store because I didn’t remember it being there when I was younger, so I went to check it out.I needed a gift for my niece, anyway.
I took off across the street and pulled the door open, stepping inside the small store.A woman behind the counter smiled in my direction but was with a customer, so I just smiled back and went about looking at things for myself.
I took my time looking over the shelves, seeking some sort of idea for a ten-year-old girl who I’d not seen in five years.My brother had sent me a few things she’d like, but I wanted to get her something from me, like I used to, and not something just picked off a list I was given.
I slowly wandered into the back of the store and rounded the corner…and stopped in my tracks.I couldn’t believe my eyes.Was it really her?
I blinked and wiped at my eyes.I wanted to pinch myself to see if I was actually dreaming.There in front of me was Mindi.She stood there, picking up one candle after another, smelling them with a soft smile on her face.God, she looked the same.Her picture on social media hadn’t really done her justice.She was as beautiful as ever.
I stood there watching her, my pulse racing.God, I wanted to approach her, to talk to her, but my feet were glued to the floor.There was no way I could just approach her out of the blue like that.
She put the candle she’d been smelling down and was about to turn around and face me, so I stepped into another aisle, hopefully hiding out of sight.I strolled away from her when I heard a man say her name.The moment I heard her laugh, I knew without a doubt it was her.Her laugh, like music to my ears, hadn’t changed.
I made my way to the end of the aisle and poked my head around the corner.His hand rested on her lower back as they spoke low to one another, and then they both laughed.
At that moment, my heart sank.I wasn’t sure what it was I was expecting by seeing her again, but somewhere deep inside me, disappointment hit.I felt ridiculous feeling the way I did; I guess somewhere inside of me I’d hoped that everything had been a misunderstanding and that when and if we crossed paths again, it would have been like the last ten years hadn’t happened.
“Sir, is there something I can help you find?”I heard a woman ask from behind me.
It was then I realized I was crouched down on the ground.
“Ah, yes, I was just trying to find something for my niece.”I smiled.
“Well, how old is she?”
“Ten.”
“Well, come on over here and let’s see what we have.”
The woman led me over near the window, and while she pulled things from the shelf, I watched Mindi walk by.
Mindi
One Week Later
A gust of blustery winter air blew as I pulled the doors open and stepped inside.Christmas music played lightly over the gentle chatter of the residents of Willow Valley as they had their coffees.
“Morning, Mindi!”Brooke sang from behind the counter as she slid two trays of the holiday cookies she’d made into the display case.
“Morning!Busy this morning!Can I get a coffee, and two of those delicious-looking Santa cookies for here and two to go, please?”
“Of course!I heard that the food drive went well!Ethan said it was one of the best turnouts.”
“It did, and I think he is right.I think it really was the best turnout we’ve ever had, to be honest.So many people came out to show their support.”
“That is fantastic.You should be proud.All your hard work paid off.”
I smiled, not liking when others said it was all to do with me, because it took a community to accomplish what we had.I was only a cog on the giant wheel, and it was all because of them it had been a success.
“I am proud.Proud to be part of a community like this,” I said, smiling.“I’d never be able to pull it off without all of you.Now, that being said, I’m going to sit down with my coffee and cookies and work on the holiday menu for the kids.That way, you can prepare the items I’ll be needing from you,” I said, smiling as I picked up my coffee and cookies.
“Stay as long as you want.Just signal when you want a refill.”Brooke smiled as Tristan stepped out carrying two more trays of cookies.
“Morning, Mindi!I’m gonna come by and pick up the trees tonight if that is okay.”He smiled.
“Sure thing!I might not be home if you come too early.Sarah and I have some errands to run tonight.If I’m not home yet, just let Connor know you are taking them.He’ll be out cutting a few more down tonight.We sold out yesterday, but yours are marked and have been placed aside.”
