Page 10 of Key West Homecoming

“Well, hello there,” the blonde one said, looking up. “Welcome to Margarita Max’s.”

She had the easy warmth of a woman who was happy to see a stranger walk in.

“Come sit anywhere you like. Are you hungry? You look hungry.”

Emma hadn’t realized her exhaustion showed.

“I am. Thank you.”

“Bar or table?”

“Bar’s fine.”

Emma slid onto a stool near the middle.

“I’m Tess,” the blonde said. “That’s my sister Leah. She’s the responsible one. I’m the fun one. Menu’s right there, but if you want my honest opinion, the conch fritters are the reason everyone comes in, well that and our key lime pie. What can I get you to drink?”

“Iced tea, please. Unsweetened if you have it.”

“Sensible choice. You’re going to fit in here better than the rest of us.”

Leah looked up from a coil of receipt tape and smiled at Emma. “Don’t listen to her. She tells everyone they’ll fit in.”

“Because everyone does,” Tess said, already pouring the iced tea. “That’s the thing about this bar. Even the people who don’t fit in fit it.”

“That doesn’t make sense, Tess.”

“It makes plenty of sense. Our new friend gets it. Don’t you?”

Emma smiled, “I think I do.”

The iced tea came in a tall glass with a wedge of lime and a lot of ice. She took a long swallow before she set it down.

“Fritters?” Tess asked.

“You’ve talked me into it.”

“Anything else? Salad? I’ll bring a small salad, it’s on the house. You look like you’re hungry.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I know that; that’s why I’m offering.”

Emma didn’t argue. Tess disappeared through a swinging door into what she guessed was the kitchen. Emma sat with her iced tea and the low hum of the bar around her.

A man at the far end of the counter was reading a paperback and drinking a beer. Behind the bar, an older woman with steel-gray hair moved cases of something without seeming to strain.

“That’s Connie. She owns the place. Well, the three of us do, actually. Where are you visiting from?”

“Chicago.”

“Long way.”

“Yes.”

“Business or pleasure?”

Emma took another sip of her iced tea before she answered. She’d known this question was coming from the moment she walked in. She’d been thinking about how best to answer whatever questions came her way.