Chapter 14 #2
Ethan chuckled. “Not nearly as busy as you. Please believe me when I tell you I’m not just blowing smoke up your ass when I say this. You’re a natural. You’re honestly better at running my cafe than I ever was.”
It was hard to believe he wasn’t blowing smoke up my ass. That was a very big statement to make. “I don’t think that’s true. I think you might still be half asleep.”
Ethan sat up taller. “I’m serious. You are really good at this. Plus, everyone who comes to the cafe adores you. Have you thought any more about whether you’re going to stick around? I really feel like this job is made for you.”
I sighed. When wasn’t I thinking about that? “I love it here so much, but what I love even more is Carter. So far, I can tell she’s not happy here, and there’s no way I’m going to compromise her happiness for my own.”
Ethan furrowed his eyebrows as if he was really considering what I had just said. “But what about your happiness?”
I shrugged. “Carter is my happiness.”
Ethan smiled. “I bet she feels the exact same way about you. Actually, I know for a fact she does. You two are lucky to have each other.” Ethan playfully slapped my knee.
“Let’s not worry about the future of the cafe right now.
Let’s focus on more important things. What did you get Carter for Christmas? ”
“We decided not to exchange gifts this year. We want to save our money to go on a trip or something instead.” I had broken our no gift rule to get one small gift for Carter, but I wasn’t going to mention that one to Ethan.
Carter’s uncle did not need to know about the vibrator I bought for his niece that had a massaging wand on one end and an insertable shaft on the other.
I needed to remember to check the tracking to see when that was arriving.
I had covered my bases by putting a gift note inside in case Carter ended up opening it when I was at work, but I hoped I was able to intercept it before that happened so I could give it to her in person.
I had to hold back my laugh when I thought about what the note said.
“What’s that smile for? Did you actually get her something? A ring perhaps?”
I scrunched up my nose. “Proposing at Christmas is so cliche. There’s no way I’m doing that.”
“Don’t let your future mother-in-laws hear that. They got engaged on Christmas. Well, actually, it was Christmas Eve technically, but it was supposed to be Christmas.” Ethan waved a dismissive hand at me when I gave him a questioning look. “Long story.”
“I love Reagan and Charlie, but I still think Christmas proposals are lame.” I winked at Ethan. “Don’t tell them I said that though.”
“Of course not.” Ethan looked down at his watch. “It’s almost time for Adrienne’s speech. We need to get out there.”
I followed close behind Ethan out of the classroom and down the hall. I clearly wasn’t paying close enough attention, because when he came to an abrupt stop, I smacked into his back.
“That can’t be. Is Mrs. Mowrey here?”
“She came?!” I walked around Ethan so I could see for myself, and sure enough, Mrs. Mowrey was standing across the room looking as awkward as could be. But she came.
“Did you sell her a ticket?”
I shook my head. “I gave her one. I wanted to show her what an amazing person you are and all the good that you do.”
Ethan put his arm around my shoulder. “You’re a very special person, Jax.” He looked down at his watch once again. “I wish we could talk about this more, but I need to introduce Adrienne.”
Ethan walked up to the microphone stand and tapped it to make sure it was on.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to take up much of your time, but I just wanted to thank you all for being here tonight.
This event means so much to me, but there’s no way I would have been able to put it on this year without my right-hand woman, Jax.
” When Ethan pointed at me, I waved to the crowd.
“A big thank you to all of the other volunteers as well, and of course, my husband, who has put up with me stressing over this for the past month. I love you, Jamie. Anyway, I’d like to introduce you all to Adrienne Harvey.
Some might say her story is one of heartbreak, but I believe it’s one of hope. Please join me in welcoming Adrienne.”
The crowd clapped, hooted, and hollered as Adrienne walked up to the microphone.
“Thank you for the lovely introduction, Ethan. I couldn’t agree more.
My story unfortunately begins in the same way some of your stories have gone.
Right after graduating from college, I finally decided to come out to my parents.
My parents responded by telling me to get out of their house.
That day I left was the last time I spoke to them.
They aren’t the important part of this story though.
They are no longer my family. Family is love and acceptance, not judgments and conditions.
I had been living in Florida at the time, but decided I would head toward New York.
I never made it there. I stopped off in a tiny Pennsylvania town to get some rest, and that’s when I met my true family—an older woman who I came to affectionately know as Nana Harvey.
She took me in, she treated me as one of her own, and she even tried to trick me into falling for her granddaughter.
I guess you could say it worked, because we’ve been married for over thirty years.
I didn’t lose my family when I was twenty-two.
I found it. And since meeting my wife, we have built our own family together.
We have two amazing sons, two terrific daughter-in-laws, and the five cutest grandchildren.
If you’re struggling right now, I beg you not to see this as the end.
This is only the beginning, and there is so much joy left to come. Don’t give up.”
As Adrienne shared a hug with her wife and sons, the room erupted into cheers once again.
I watched with pride as people walked up to talk to her.
One teenage girl broke into tears as she spoke to Adrienne, and soon, they were sharing a warm embrace.
Tears came to my eyes as I watched the interaction.
“It’s impossible to watch this and see it as anything other than beautiful,” a voice said from beside me.
I turned to see Mrs. Mowrey standing there.
As I tried to think of what to say to her, she spoke once again.
“I can’t say I agree with being gay. The Bible is very clear about homosexuality being a sin.
But I can see that I was wrong in how I was viewing all of you.
You’re not trying to recruit people onto your team.
You’re just giving them the love and acceptance that they deserve.
It’s what all human beings deserve no matter who they are or what they believe or who they love.
” A few tears slid down Mrs. Mowrey’s cheeks, but she quickly wiped them away.
“I won’t be bothering you at the cafe anymore. ”
Mrs. Mowrey turned to walk away before I could say anything.
“Hey, Mrs. Mowrey!” I shouted after her. I waited for her to turn around to continue. “Maybe come inside the cafe sometime. I’m going to miss seeing you all the time.”
The smallest smile parted Mrs. Mowrey’s lips. “I’ll think about it.”
I smiled as I watched her walk away. This was really what Christmas was all about.