“Ira, may he rest in peace, doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who took into mind food safety.”
“Not so much.” I take in the accumulated dust, unsure if it’s from Ira not taking care of the place or the fact that it’s been closed for a month while the town processed applications for ownership. Either way, the store needs a total overhaul and thorough cleaning. “This whole place needs to be scrubbed. The shelves are actually sticky with dust.”
“That’s what humidity and sugar will do to you.” She turns toward the sticker wall. “Please tell me you’re going to keep that. It’s so precious.”
“I’d never get rid of the sticker wall. I think I’d want to add more, along with some stationery.”
“Ooh, I love that idea.” She gasps. “Oh wait, what if you had a mailbox in here too and the bar could turn into a correspondence section. Buy some stationery, have stamps available for purchase, and markers and pens for everyone to use. Wouldn’t that be so cute?”
“I actually love that idea.”
“I’m writing it down.”
I take in the mahogany bar with a pink quartz countertop, a smile coming to my face as I envision it all. I can see the people lined up at the bar, cards in front of them, drawing and writing their loved ones from Cape Meril. We can install an adorable red mailbox in the corner where people can slip their letters. Envelopes can be filled with stickers, maybe a candy or two; we can have a whole mailing section. And then we can make a big deal about it because Cape Meril already has a thriving tourism account. It could be one of the “must dos” when visiting Cape Meril.
“I can do some really cute social media with the letter angle in mind. And I don’t know, maybe my artist friend could have a line of cards she sells here.”
Tilly perks up and then looks around. “I don’t know…my aesthetic might not work here. Unless I do something completely different. Something vintage that will go with the theme here. Ooh, can I do some erotic cards? Something like ‘want to milk my duds’?”
A snort pops out of me as I cover my mouth. “Oh my God, that would be so funny, but also…inappropriate. This is a kids’ store, after all.”
“That’s why you have those cards at a higher level that’s out of reach of children; keep them behind the bar. Make it a whole thing where people have to show their ID to have access to them.”
I chuckle. “That’s an even better hook for social media marketing.”
She taps the side of her head. “Full of good ideas up here; just let me loose and I’ll come up with whatever you want.”
“And that’s why you’re here and not my aunt Kitty.”
Tilly takes a seat at the bar. “Has she been bothering you lately?”
“Yeah, more so now that the boys showed up next door. She seems to think that it’s wise that I spend more time with Theo, encouraging the idea of me actually taking him up on his offer of marriage.”
“Wait, seriously?”
I nod while I open a jar full of bubble gum. I try to pick up a piece, but they’re all stuck together. Has it always been like this and I didn’t notice how dirty and grubby the store was, or is this something new?
“Seriously. She has this idea in her head that I need to be in a relationship, which I don’t need to be. I’m perfectly content, happy with where I am in my life. I have bigger things to worry about right now, you know? Either way, she’s been getting on my nerves lately and I think I just need to take a breath before I say something I don’t mean out of frustration. I know she has good intentions and she doesn’t ever want to hurt me. I mean, I’m all she has at this point and she’s really all I have.”
“I get that. Smart that you’re separating the store from her.”
“Well, not entirely. Just for a time so I can breathe and get my bearings. After all, this is a project we agreed to do together. I just need to ease her in.”
“Good idea. Create those boundaries and stick to them.”
“Hopefully I can.” I glance toward the back of the shop. “Should we see what kind of disaster is waiting for me back there?”
“Frankly, I’m a little scared.”
“Yeah, me too. But at least you’re here if something jumps out and scares me.”
Tilly’s brow turns down. “What on earth could jump out and scare you?”
“I don’t know, a candy monster.”
Tilly hops off her stool. “Love the imagination, but there is no such thing as a candy monster.”
“You never know, it could be dwelling in the back and we have no idea. What if…” I lean in and whisper, “What if it ate Ira and that’s how he really passed?”
