“Well, yeah, but you don’t have to say it out loud. Some people won’t have noticed.”
“Everyone’s noticed. Why do you think they’re here? Crazy gravitates toward crazy.”
“Well, what does that make you then?”
“If I say your caregiver, will you ground me?”
“For sure.”
“Definitely not that then.”
“I might still ground you just for thinking it.”
“You can’t ground me for my thoughts.” He rolls his eyes at me.
I smirk at him. “Wanna test that theory?” I ask as a customer I recognize steps up to the counter. “John, you came.”
“Of course I did. Marie wanted to come too, but she’s under the impression someone will accidentally burn the place down without her there to supervise. And she’s probably right.”
“How do you burn down an ice cream parlor by accident?” Theo frowns.
John grins. “An excellent question, I really don’t want to know the answer to.”
“I’m just happy you came. And when you leave, I’ll put together a take-out order for Marie so she doesn’t miss out. What does she like?”
“Anything chocolate. You’re too kind.”
“I think she’s just kind enough,” Theo says softly.
“Quite right, young man. Now, excuse me while I go find something to read. I’ve been looking forward to this.”
“If you need any help, come let me know.”
“I’ve got it covered, Delphi.” Theo walks around the counter. After John tells him what he’s into, Theo leads him to the shelves where we house those kinds of books.
I don’t focus on them long because the next customer steps up, placing a copy ofPride and Prejudiceon the counter along with an order for an English afternoon tea, which has been insanely popular. I ring her up and give her a pager disk that will buzz when her order is ready. It’s one of the ways I cut down on serving staff, preferring to have an extra couple of hands in the kitchen and making drinks.
“This place is wonderful and I’ve never had an English tea before, but I’ve always wanted to try one.”
“You’ll love it. Any allergies?”
“No, none.”
“Perfect. Go find a seat and curl up with your book. The food won’t be long.”
She beams at me before walking off. I turn to the next customer and smile when I see it’s Greer.
“Hey, Greer. I wasn’t expecting to see you today.”
“And miss all this? Do I look crazy?”
I bite back the yes because in the outfit she’s wearing, she looks more like someone’s eccentric grandmother than a woman in her early twenties.
“So, what do you think?”
“I think I could live and die here with no complaints.”
I offer her a wide grin, which she returns for a minute before she turns serious. “Do you have time for a quick chat?”
