Michael leans on me, throwing an arm around my middle. “I’m gonna miss you when you’re in Dublin you know. We haven’t been apart from each other more than a week for, what, ten years?”
He has a point. Once the bookstore opened and I bought the condo, we were constantly in each other’s company. Most times when we vacationed it was together with friends. I didn’t think about how lonely he might get with me gone. Outside of me, I think Niall might be his best friend and he’s going to be essentially down the street from me, and an ocean away from Michael.
“You might not miss me when you have a hot roommate in my place.”
“That’s right! Total upgrade.”
It’s quiet on Main Street when we close up the shop. There are a couple of tables still occupied on Lucky Lou’s patio, but outside of that the streets are empty.
Even Old Town seems to be missing the normal barflies. Well, it is a Thursday night and not even summer yet. I feel the town starts to pick up on the weeknights right around when school gets out.
“I can’t believe we’re still hosting book club tomorrow with all the prep we need to do for the fair.”
I sidestep one of Wethersfield’s many uneven sidewalks. “We can knock out most of the baking in the afternoon. You have Sydney on the whole weekend and she can manage the front of the store before the evening rush.”
“That’s true, I guess.”
We cross Garden Street, passing the Ukrainian bicycle set up on the corner. It’s been a staple of the Bicycles on Main for as long as I remember, but seems more prevalent now than ever. Many of our friends belong to the local Ukrainian community, and we’ve hosted a few fundraisers at the bookstore to help out refugees that fled due to the ongoing war.
“Have you heard from Alex at all?”
“Not a single message.” I figured he would’ve texted something by now, but deep down I think I’m kind of relieved. I’ve never been particularly great at being single, often going back to disaster relationships or hanging on way too long after an obvious expiration date.
Michael once called them “boo blinders” and that it was kinda cute until it wasn’t. The ex before Alex cheated on me with two of his co-workers, sometimes all together. The ex before that one picked a fight with me at a party when drunk, abandoned me, and ended up crashing his buddy’s car into a tree.
Might’ve dodged a couple of bullets there.
We start to cross Main Street to get to Spring when a car comes barreling down the road. I yank Michael onto the sidewalk, just in the nick of time.
“Jesus Christ!” Michael picks up a rock and throws it in the direction of the car, which has already rounded the corner heading towards Old Wethersfield.
“The town really needs to do something about those stop signs.” When the train tracks became operational again a few years ago, they put up stop signs to encourage drivers to check before crossing the tracks. It’s only been somewhat successful, with most people still working off muscle memory. This isn’t the only close call we’ve had walking home at night. Or the day for that matter.
Once back at the condo, we both quietly go to our separate bedrooms to get ready for bed. While today was busy, the next two will be insane.
5
“Hey Mom.” I switch my phone to speaker as I move to the fridge. We are in the middle of a baking marathon. Well, it’s mostly me completing the marathon. For some reason the bookstore is unseasonably busy for a Friday afternoon, and Michael has had to help Sydney a lot in the front of the store.
“Hey sweetie! Michael told me you’re on baking duty today. What’s on the menu?”
Michael and my mother talk on the phone more often than she and I do, which is already quite frequently. She might like him more than she likes me.
“Right now, I think I’m on the fourth batch of Reese’s Explosion Cookies? No, definitely fifth batch.”
“Anything new on the menu for tomorrow?” I know she’s asking because she will certainly stop by, and will expect some free sweet treats heading her way.
“Niall sent us an Irish recipe we’re trying out, pairing it with coffee or tea. It’s kinda like a spiced soda bread but with more fruit?”
“Oh, a barmbrack? I hope you made it in advance.”
Of course she’d know what it was.
“It will have been in the fridge for almost two days before serving. Don’t worry. Niall gave us the third degree on it.”
Mom sighs. “I do hope him and Michael end up together. I know it’s a longshot with him living in Dublin and you guys here. They just get along so well.”
And she has indeed seen it firsthand. Multiple times she’s come by for drinks and Niall calls during her visit. I’m pretty sure Mom has a crush on him. Must be the Irish accent.
