“In with me,” I said finishing his sentence, realizing that I’d been one of the few approved homes in the direct area, in case of an emergency such as this.
“Well, that is a blessing,” Trinity said, smiling over at me.
“Sure is,” Peggy added.
“I’m glad you think so.”
Everyone looked at me, understanding on their face.
“Nah, Mindi, you’ll do fine.You have all of us to help if need be,” Ethan added, reaching across the table and patting my hand.
I couldn’t help but smile as I fought back the tears that were threatening to fall.
A heavy sadness fell over everyone at the table, and while Peggy and Trinity started talking amongst themselves, I sat there.First, thoughts of how Sarah must be feeling flooded my mind, and then a memory popped into my head I hadn’t thought of in a while.
I’d just started volunteering at the center back in September 2015.I’d had a hard time all fall, and it seemed to get worse as we moved into the holiday season that year.Noah, my high school sweetheart, was over in Afghanistan on a peacekeeping mission while I was busy over here, helping the less fortunate.I’d spent the entire season volunteering my time because, in a way, it had made me feel closer to Noah.
I’d written to him just after I finished dealing with a girl about my age who’d lost her new husband when his vehicle hit a landmine.It had been the most challenging thing I’d ever had to deal with at the center and hit me in a way it probably shouldn’t have.Much like the news from today had.
I wrapped my hands around my coffee, shoved thoughts of that Christmas out of my mind, and forced myself to focus on the conversation in front of me.
Mindi
Mid - November 2025
14 months later
“Morning, Mindi!”
I looked up as I stepped into The Crispy Biscuit to see Brooke breeze on by with a coffeepot in hand.
I couldn’t help but smile.Brooke was always a cheerful burst of energy, especially at this time of year.“Morning.”
“Grab a seat wherever you like, and I’ll be there in a minute to take your order.Tristan and Melinda both have colds, so we are a little shorthanded this morning.”
“Not a problem, Brooke.I just came to pick up the sandwiches and muffins for the luncheon over at the community center and to drop this off,” I said, holding up the flyer Sarah and I had created for the tree farm.
“Ah yes, put that up on the community board and I’ll be right with you.People have been asking me already when they will be able to come out and get their trees.”
Every week for as long as I could remember, I’d been coming here to pick up food for the Friday luncheons.I’d been one of the first steady customers Brooke had after starting her bakery counter before then taking over the family business.
I glanced down at my watch, hoping that the items I’d ordered were ready to go.We had a large group coming in today.I’d worked so hard on this program for military families over the years, and it had become bigger than I’d ever imagined it would.We now had a set of steady volunteers who came to help young kids and spouses deal with the impact military life had on them.
On weekends, we had arts and crafts, along with game days, and every Saturday and Sunday, we either provided lunch or dinner for the children.Throughout the week we had coping groups for the spouses who had lost their significant others, or for those whose partners were deployed, and just recently we had put out a call for a counselor to help those children who had suffered the loss of a parent.
After everything I’d been through with Sarah in the past year, I knew the community could benefit from having a counselor on staff.We still hadn’t found someone, but something kept telling me we were getting close.
A chill ran through me as I stood waiting at the counter.I’d been feeling off for the past few days, and while I’d like to think it was the change of weather, I hoped I wasn’t getting sick.It wouldn’t surprise me, things had just felt off this year.I watched as Brooke flew from table to table and then came back over and placed the now empty coffeepot on the counter, turned, and smiled.
“How are things going with Sarah?”she questioned, wiping her hands on her apron.
“Oh fine.She still hasn’t been overly talkative, which has me worried, but we are making do.It has only been a little over a year since she lost her parents.I just dropped her over at Bluebird Books for the reading program and to spend some time with Gracie.Since Hilary and her parents moved she has been glued to Gracie.”
“Well, hopefully that will help some.Any luck in finding a counselor yet?”
“Sadly, no, not even any calls regarding the position, which has me worried.”
“Well, don’t give up.I’m sure someone will contact you soon.”
