Aside from doing a lot of the planning for Savvy and Nate’s wedding, Bess and Phil have hit the ground running on Phil’s community fund idea.Strange Brew has been open since last week, but it had taken those two another few days to pull together what they need to plan the gallery.
Being a Monday, the coffee shop is closed to the public, but Bess had an early start this morning nonetheless.She’s there now with Phil and Lola, placing all the artwork for the official grand opening of the Silence Community Gallery.The project has been very hush-hush, which is why everyone was told this was a sort of welcome back celebration.
I’d better hustle if I want to pick up the flowers and be there in time for the doors to open at two thirty.
“Too bad you can’t be there, Mrs.Dixon.Are you not feeling well?”I ask as I quickly sign off my computer.
“Oh, I’m fine.It’s just that I don’t venture out too much anymore.I’m getting older, you know.”
She is in her late eighties, but she’s always been at the front of the line for any community events.This is unusual for her and part of me wonders if the experience with Chance Tanek in her kitchen left her shaken more than she might be willing to admit.
“I’m on my way over, and we’ll talk then, okay?”
“You’re a good boy, Hugo.”
I grin as I hang up.Mrs.Dixon is the only person who can call me a good boy and get away with it.
Except for Bess, of course, but with her it has an entirely different meaning.
I’m smiling as I walk out of the office, waving goodbye to Brenda in passing.
“You’re in a good mood,” she calls after me.
I just lift a thumbs-up over my shoulder.
Bess
“You’re late.”
I regret my comment the moment it leaves my mouth.
I’ve just been running around like a madwoman this morning, putting up all the artwork, while also creating copious trays of bite-sized appetizers we plan to serve.There won’t be any pastries or specialty coffees this afternoon, but I was able to obtain a one-day permit to serve alcohol, and Phil rented glassware and ordered a few crates of champagne.That’s all we’ll be serving, along with a non-alcoholic punch Lola put together.
I haven’t even had a chance to change or do my hair—I’m a mess with a ratty mop constantly falling in my face—when Hugo walks in the side door, with Mrs.Dixon in his wake, which I saw too late.
“My fault entirely, my dear,” she replies, shaming me even further.“I’m afraid I held Hugo up, gave him too hard of a time when he was kind enough to offer me a ride.I take full blame.”
“No, Mrs.Dixon, I’m the one who should be apologizing.I have no excuse for my ungrateful comment, other than it’s been a crazy day already, and I should’ve had a stiff drink instead of opening my mouth.”
I hear Hugo’s soft chuckle and throw him my best apologetic smile.He’s been nothing but supportive and accommodating.
“Why don’t you go ahead inside and have a look around, Mrs.Dixon,” he urges her, gently coaxing her toward the coffee shop.“Bess and I will join you in a moment.”
I see Phil take charge of the old woman and aiming a wink at me.The next moment, Hugo is stalking toward me, forcing me to retreat into the kitchen where he unceremoniously picks me up and sits me down on the counter, still covered in flour.
“Talk to me,” he orders, wedging himself between my legs as he cages me in with his arms braced on either side of me.
“I’m sorry.”
“Not what I’m asking for, Bess.Just talk to me.”
Like he often does when we’re discussing something important, he leans his forehead against mine, creating a little bubble of intimacy where anything is open for discussion and honesty is a requirement.
“I think I’ve been pushing too hard,” I confess, letting my body slump.“I’ve run out of steam and we haven’t even opened the doors yet.”
“Hey, it’s been a bit of a crazy month, and even before that I don’t think you ever took a break.Maybe it’s time you did, cut yourself a little slack.”
“I can’t now, I have the appetizers to get ready, arrange them on trays, set them out on the buffet table we have set up.Then I have to change and try and make myself presentable.”I glance up at the kitchen clock.“And I have less than five minutes to do it.”
