“I think it’s supposed to be a smile,” Carl says.
“Oh, sweetie,” Shelly adds.
Steven goes on, “Anyway! We want to talk to you about the shop.”
I look around, “What about it?”
“We got it,” Max says.
Steven glares, “Can I finish a sentence here, people?”
“No,” Tyrone cuts in.
“We’ll cover you with the shop,” Maxine says again.
“Business is going to be slow for a while with the construction on all sides.” Shelly adds and they all nod.
“Cover me? I don’t need you to cover me,” I say, looking from face to face for some kind of clue about all this.
“You do. You gotta get outta here,” Maxine says.
I start to shake my head and argue but Steven pipes in before I can, “We overheard Aiden talking to Janie that night.” Okay, I’m no longer arguing. I’m frozen.
“Didn’t catch the bit about him up and leaving. Punk ass little billionaire baby,” Max mutters.
“Maxine,” Shelly rolls her eyes.
Steven glares until they all shut up. He explains, “Janie was ripping him a new one, don’t you worry about that. But he said what you always say, about staying here and putting down roots.”
“Blossom where you’re planted,” I say absently.
“It’s bloom, honey. The stupid expression is ‘Bloom where you’re planted.’ And hell if you haven’t said that a thousand times to all of us since your sister left and JimBo left.”
“Listen, ma girl,” Tyrone says loudly.
“YOU ARE NOT A TREE!” They all yell together like they rehearsed this.
I frown, “Did you practice this?”
“Hell, yes, we practiced, this is an intervention.” Maxine says.
Ding!
“We’re here!” Janie says coming in the door.
“Jan—Lily?” I squeak out my sisters name at the sight of her.
She looks amazing, as always. Designer clothes, not a single blonde hair out of place. But she’s out of place. She hasn’t been back here for years.
“Still my name! Oh my gosh, this place looks the exact same, I can’t believe it. But also, I can,” she says as she pushes her giant fancy sunglasses back from her face. Her big eyes, like mine but blue, lock on me. “Hey, you!” She says before lifting up the counter and coming around for a hug.
“I don’t understand,” I say while hugging her back.
“Where were we?” Janie asks Steven.
“Just go to the you are not a plant part,” he says.
“Ugh, that stupid expression,” Lily says as she pulls away to look at me. “Harper, dad’s little one liners make cute coffee mugs but you were what, 18 when you had to start managing this place for him? They’re little pick me ups to sell, they’re not supposed to be your whole life mantra.”
