I look around, and that’s when I realize how quiet the cafe is. Goldie’s grandmas, Grandma Donna and Grandma Nancy, are in the shop, which is a rarity. I’ve known them almost as long as I’ve known the Whitman family, and I love them dearly. Most of the town has taken to calling them Grandma Donna and Grandma Nancy.
They’re in their soft sweaters—Grandma Donna with pants and boots, Grandma Nancy with a skirt and heels that are brave to wear around here in December. Both are frozen as they stare at us. Grandma Donna’s holding a pale pink flyer and a clipboard that looks like a sign-up sheet. Goldie showed me theflyer already and asked if it’d be okay if they put it on my bulletin board.
It says:
Friendship Bench
Available to anyone who needs a friend.
Come sit. I’ll listen. A warm beverage is optional.
~Grandma Donna
When she realizes our attention is on her, she shyly turns and pins it up. Grandma Nancy blinks slowly but doesn’t turn away.
Papa pauses.
“Well, well,” he murmurs. “Windy Harbor has some surprises. Donna, is that you?”
She turns and swallows, nodding slowly.
“Hello, Hector,” she says.
He moves forward and clasps her hand in his. “You haven’t changed a bit.”
He smiles at Grandma Donna, who blushes.
“Neither have you.” Her eyes lower to the floor and then shoot back up to Papa’s.
Is this a moment? It sure feels like it. I so wish Goldie could be here to witness this.
Uncle Hal lowers his sunglasses halfway. He stares at Grandma Nancy and whistles low. “Are we in heaven?”
Okay, yes, definitely a moment.
Grandma Nancy’s back straightens, and she gives Uncle Hal a look that would make most men falter.
Not Uncle Hal.
“You look like trouble,” she says, setting her cup down with a purposeful clink.
Uncle Hal smiles proudly. “Only on Mondays. You free?”
Nancy gasps. “Absolutely not.”
I cough into my arm to avoid laughing out loud.
Papa gives a slight bow, looking very distinguished. “Forgive my brother. What he’s trying to say is that he’s happy to be in Windy Harbor.”
“I was saying a lot more than that, and she knows it.” Uncle Hal winks at Grandma Nancy. “A heavenly view,” he adds.
Grandma Nancy crosses her arms, staring defiantly at Uncle Hal, and her lips twitch when she says, “I suppose you think that line works on women you want to razzle-dazzle?”
Uncle Hal pulls off his sunglasses smoothly and folds them. “Razzle-dazzle.” He points at her. “That’s the perfect expression for what you do, my dear.”
My mouth drops. This is gold. The whole cafe is watching the exchange back and forth like we’re at Wimbledon.
“Oh, I do a lot more than that, I assure you.” Grandma Nancy points at Uncle Hal. “And don’t call me your dear. A man like you couldn’t possibly handle someone like me.”
