Mindi #2
I listened to my gut and navigated away from the search page, opening up my email instead, content with my decision. I responded to a couple of emails, did some work on the holiday events, and then made dinner.
As the evening went on, I did my best to ignore that nagging voice in the back of my mind that kept coming forward, wondering about Noah.
While Sarah continued to watch TV, I got up and made my way into the kitchen, pulled out the hot air popper, and made us some popcorn.
I grabbed two sodas from the fridge, my mind once again wandering to Noah.
While waiting for the popcorn to pop, I headed to my bedroom, changed into my pajamas, and opened my small closet.
I turned the light on and looked up at the top shelf to see the old worn shoebox I’d shoved up there years ago.
I reached up and grabbed it, carefully pulling it down, and carried it to the living room, then made my way back to the kitchen for the bowl of hot popcorn.
“What’s in the shoebox?” Sarah asked as I carried in the popcorn and drinks.
“Letters,” I said, handing her one bowl and a pop while I placed the other in front of me and grabbed each of us a blanket from the closet.
I sat down and pulled the old shoebox in front of me. It had been years since I’d thought of this box. Dust covered the top, but as soon as I lifted the lid, I smiled.
“Letters from whom?” Sarah questioned.
The entire bundle of letters from Noah was exactly as I’d left them. I’d kept every single one of them, starting from when he’d left Willow Valley to attend training camp, right through to the very last letter I’d received.
I shoved a couple of kernels of popcorn into my mouth as I pulled the brittle elastic off the bundle of envelopes and placed them down in front of me, just in time for Sparkles to crawl into my lap. I gently ran my hand over her head and listened as she purred.
“Letters from my friend Noah, the same person who sent me the card,” I replied, picking up the envelope on top and opening it.
“He wrote all of those?” Sarah asked, peeking into the box.
“He did. Want to hear some of them?” I questioned.
Sarah adjusted the blanket on her lap and nodded, shoving some popcorn into her mouth.
“Okay, well, I hope you are ready for one hell of a story,” I said as I pulled the first letter from the envelope.
“Got popcorn, a drink, a blanket. I think I am ready.” She giggled, turning her attention to me.
Sarah shifted on the couch until she was comfortable and listened to me intently as I began reading the first letter in the pile. It took only a few words to transport me back, and soon my throat was tight and tears blurred my vision.
It was almost three in the morning when I finished.
Sarah was sound asleep on the couch and had been for some time when I’d gotten to that last letter.
My chest ached and my eyes hurt from crying as I recounted all the good times we’d shared—and some of the not-so-good times.
I got up and grabbed the card that still sat on the table and opened it again, reading over his question.
All I could think about was where we would be now had I gotten his card when I was supposed to.
Would we have married? Had children? Moved to another part of the world?
Would I have left Willow Valley? All these unanswered questions were driving me crazy.
Yet they’d have to remain that way, I thought to myself.
There was no way I would ever know the answers to them, I thought to myself as I gathered the letters and wrapped them with the elastic.
I placed them in the box and shoved it off to the side.
I looked over at my laptop and, without another thought, grabbed my computer.
I opened Facebook, typed in his name, and without hesitation clicked on the only name that came up.
Shock rolled through me when I saw his picture.
He was alive. The profile was brand new, but there was no doubt it was him.
I hit the message button and began typing, and once I finished, I didn’t hesitate.
I simply hit send. I then got up off the floor, picked up Sparkles, and headed down the hall to my bedroom.
Morning had come faster than I’d expected, and I’d been dragging myself around ever since. I’d checked my messages a few times already this morning, each time disappointment flooding me at the fact that Noah hadn’t even seen the message.
Willow Valley was bustling with shoppers this morning.
The shop owners were decorating their windows for their holiday displays, and the town was busy decorating all the light posts.
I climbed out of the car and let out a yawn.
I needed a coffee before I went to the community center.
I crossed the street and pushed the door of The Crispy Biscuit open and walked in, shocked to find the place empty.
“Oh, hey, Mindi,” I heard Brooke say, and saw a hand waving at me from behind the counter.
“Hey, Brooke, what’s going on? Where is everyone?” I questioned. “I don’t recall ever seeing this place empty.
“Oh, it’s been a morning, let me tell you.
One of the large walk-in refrigerators went in the back, so we had to call in a repairman.
However, that also meant that all our baking supplies that were in there spoiled overnight.
Tristan has gone into Cedar Landing with Melinda to pick up some things from our supplier. ”
“Oh, Brooke, I’m so sorry to hear.”
“It’s okay. Part of owning a business, I guess.
Anyway, I have Jack in the back fixing the fridge.
I was just going to close the place for the day but figured I could at least do coffee and whatever baked goods I had left over from yesterday.
Thankfully, I had all the baking crate orders completed and wrapped up last night, but I’ve had to put a delay on the ones that came in today.
I’m so glad my customers can understand. ”
“Well, I am thankful for that too, and I’m thankful you are open for coffee because I need one.” I giggled. “And with my coffee, I think I’ll take one of those croissants. Oh wait, maybe one of those double fudge cookies.”
“How about both? I’ll give them to you at fifty percent off.”
“You don’t need to twist my arm.” I giggled.
Brooke laughed as she grabbed a plate. “You know, I think I might sit down and join you.”
“I’d love that,” I said, removing my coat and hat, moving over to one of the large booths in the store’s front window. “Getting ready to do your holiday display?” I questioned.
“Sure am. Tristan hired a local artist as a surprise. They are coming this week to get things started,” Brooke said as she slid in across from me after placing a tray down on the table. We each grabbed a croissant and a cookie and a cup of coffee.
“So what’s new?” she questioned.
“Not much. I have been busy planning the meal out for the community center for Christmas, so I should have my order to you by the end of this week. I have also been working on the list of things I was thinking we could get for Sarah. I want to make sure we are collecting during the winter festival.”
Brooke nodded in agreement. “I couldn’t agree more, and you know Tristan and I will have a table there with hot chocolate and goodies.
We are always happy to accept donations that night.
We could even place a box for gift items as well, in case people want to drop things off.
I know Trinity is also happy to help. She was going through some books at the shop, figuring out what she could donate, and she mentioned collecting donations at her table as well. ”
“Amazing, you two are too good to me,” I said, smiling.
“You do a lot for this community, Mindi. Besides, we’re always thrilled to lend a hand, no questions asked. Sometimes, we wish we could do more.”
“I know you never say no when asked anything, and I thank you for that,” I said, taking a sip of my coffee. “I just wish we could find Sarah a family for Christmas. That way she won’t have to move to the center after the holidays.”
Brooke brought her hand to her chest. “Me too. It’s so devastating. I can’t imagine what that will do to her. She’s been with you for over a year.”
“Me either. Willow Valley is the only home she’s ever known. Breaks my heart.”
“Well, you know, I always say Christmas is a magical time here in Willow Valley. Maybe the magic of the season will grant her a new family. Never say never.”
“I hope you are right,” I said, giving half a smile. “I wish I could take her in, but they have made it clear they are looking for a home with two parents,” I said, letting out a sigh. “I don’t suppose you and Tristan are…”
“We’ve talked about trying again, but we think we are just going to hold off,” she said, her expression growing serious.
Brooke and Tristan had been trying to get pregnant, but hadn’t been lucky, and they’d begun looking at adopting, but the last two opportunities they’d been given had fallen through at the last minute.
She’d mentioned to me more times than not that they were both feeling like maybe a child wasn’t in the cards for them.
We both grew quiet, and I looked out the front window to see some crews from the Willow Valley Town Hall putting up the Christmas lights for the festival.
“Soon the town will become a twinkling wonderland,” I said, nodding to the men across the street.
“I can’t wait, to be honest. I always love looking out at those lights and the displays. Seeing the park filled with kids and people taking part in winter activities has always been one of my favorite parts of the season.”
“Mine too.” I sighed.
“Mindi, you look tired today. Is everything alright?”