ENTERTAINMENT TODAY
JULIANA
After my perfect weekend, I didn’t even mind when Ralph’s beak nearly took out my wrist on my run to the cafe.
I should’ve known something was off by the line down the street before I’d even unlocked the doors to open.
I smiled in confusion as what felt like the entire town trailed in.
Sandy…Beverly and Carol. Bosco was even beaming. He’s usually here at opening, so that wasn’t too unusual, but then he handed me a dried rose and gave me a little sideways almost-smile. Miss Idella and Emmy…all giggling.
A highlight was when Bosco did a low bow when he saw Miss Idella.
It was like someone had spiked the coffee, but I was the only one serving coffee so far.
Suzanne was off, and Papa Hector and Uncle Hal hadn’t made it in yet.
It wasn’t until noon that it all made sense.
The door slammed so hard that the bell nearly fell off. Jackson stormed in like a thundercloud, and Dove rushed behind him, looking apologetic. He was flushed red, his jaw tight. He barreled up to the counter, and the cafe went quiet.
And then he shoved the phone in my face with the picture of Camden and me in full color, kissing.
So that’s why the whole town was smiling at me like they were in a cult all morning.
Fast-forward to now and Camden’s declaration of love. I can hardly believe it.
But he dips me back and kisses me, to the cheers of everyone in the cafe but Jackson, and then it feels real. He loves me! And I love him. God, how I love him.
He straightens and carefully lets me go, then turns to Jackson and motions toward the back.
“Can we all talk where it’s a little quieter?” he asks Jackson. He takes my hand and looks down at me. “You too, if you can?”
I nod.
“Aww, do you have to?” Beverly asks. “We want to know what happens!”
The cafe explodes in laughter.
“Don’t worry, we’re here to entertain you,” Uncle Hal says.
Grandma Nancy and Grandma Donna walk in just then, and Uncle Hal holds his hand out with a flourish.
“See? The day has already gotten more entertaining!” he says, winking at Grandma Nancy.
She harrumphs and looks around the room suspiciously.
“What’s going on in here?” she asks.
“I’ll fill you in on everything,” Uncle Hal says, holding out his arm.
She’s so flustered, she takes it.
Jackson’s been distracted like I have been, but I nudge his arm.
“Come on, let’s go to my office. It’s through the kitchen,” I tell Dove.
Jackson grits his teeth and nods, his hand in Dove’s as they follow us back.
