Chapter 11 - Olivia
B y the time Thursday morning rolled around, Olivia had spent far too many hours analyzing her text exchange with Aiden. Had their moms planned the Healthy Kids Day event to set them up? That seemed far-fetched. They’d likely just seized the opportunity to get Aiden and Olivia back in the same vicinity. She’d called her mom to scold her, but her mom had claimed innocence. She’d told Carolyn that Olivia would be there, but that was it.
Trying to ignore the quiet buzz of anticipation at seeing Aiden so soon, Olivia told Ms. Darcy to load up into the truck so they could head to town. She had packed some treats and agility toys. Per her mom’s request, they were going to do an agility demonstration for Fiona’s fellow campers to make Healthy Kids Day more engaging.
Olivia had given herself extra time to stop at Jill's Diner to grab a coffee and one of Jill’s famous sourdough cinnamon rolls .
When she pulled into the parking lot, Olivia lowered the windows halfway. The morning had been mercifully cool, and Ms. Darcy would be comfortable waiting in the truck for ten minutes.
A bell chimed above the diner's door when Olivia walked in, a bouquet of sweet peas in hand. She approached the cash register with a huge smile on her face to greet her old boss. Jill had purchased the restaurant from the previous owner twenty years prior and changed the name from Jack's to Jill's. Only in Gresham .
“Do these old eyes deceive me, or is that little Miss Olivia Olsen?” Jill smiled broadly, revealing her crooked incisor.
Olivia’s visit was overdue, and she’d brought the flowers as a token of apology. Jill had given Olivia her first job, waitressing on the weekends when she was sixteen. In hindsight, Olivia knew Jill had done it as a favor to her mom.
In the years since, Jill’s hair had gone from mostly gray to fully white. She kept it short in a no-fuss style. Jill’s apple-shaped middle spoke to the hash browns and bacon she nabbed during a busy shift rather than taking the time to sit down for a meal.
Olivia looked into her smiling eyes.
“A little birdy told me you were back, and I've been waitin’ for you to walk through them doors.”
“Jill!” Olivia’s smiled around her words. “It's so wonderful to see you!” She handed Jill the bouquet.
“What is this about?” Jill asked, inspecting the flowers skeptically.
“They're for you. I think mom told you I'm selling flowers and veggies?”
“Oh my gosh, they're so fancy. I better hide them, or people are gonna realize what an old dump this place is. ”
Olivia laughed and reached out for a hug. “Sorry it took me so long to stop in, but I'm here in search of coffee and a cinnamon roll.”
“You need a job?” Jill asked. They both knew she didn't, but Olivia appreciated the offer. It was the closest Jill would ever come to saying she cared about Olivia.
“If I do, I'll know where to come.”
“Good girl.” Jill paused to inspect Olivia once more. “I just have to say that this town is better off with you back in it, not to mention how happy it makes your folks.”
“Awww, thanks, Jill. It's good to be back.”
“Your mom told me about your market stand and your vegetable boxes. You know, I'd be a customer myself if I didn't eat every god-forsaken meal in this hellhole.”
Olivia laughed. “Of course, no worries at all. Though, now that you mention it, do you mind if I leave a few business cards with you? I've still got a few subscriptions to fill.”
“Absolutely, darlin’. Why don't you pin one up on the bulletin board over there as well.”
“Awesome, thank you. I will.”
“Alright, well, let me go grab your stuff. Don't wanna keep you here all day.”
“Thanks again, Jill. It's so good to see you. I'm forever indebted to you, ya know. You kicked off my career.”
“Pfft.” Immune to flattery, Jill dismissed the compliment with a flap of her pudgy hand and turned toward the kitchen.
She walked with a slight hiccup in her step, which Olivia knew was the result of forty years on her feet running the restaurant .
Jill returned a minute later with the breakfast, and Olivia tried not to cringe at the Styrofoam containers, reminding herself to maintain a “when in Rome” attitude. She'd had to adjust her expectations regarding micro-level solutions to macro-level issues when she moved back. If she hadn’t, she would have lost her mind and alienated the whole town trying to fight for progress on every issue Seattle had achieved years ago, like banning Styrofoam.
Olivia paid and left a fifty percent tip before turning toward the exit. She called over her shoulder as she opened the door, “Thanks again!”
“No trouble, sweetheart.”
Olivia got in the car, and Ms. Darcy's nose wiggled as she sniffed curiously. Drool dripped from her mouth onto the vinyl seat.
“You’re not wrong, Missy. This thing smells amazing, and it’s still warm.” Olivia reached over and scratched Ms. Darcy behind the ears.
She started the truck and turned up the volume on the radio. The classic rock channel, the only radio station the truck’s broken antenna would pick up, was playing “Jack and Diane” by John Mellencamp, which always reminded her of her parents. As she drove across town, she thought back to her years working at Jill’s and how she used to eat a giant cinnamon roll every time she worked a shift.
Why was I so skinny in high school? It does not add up.
Tearing off pieces of the roll gleefully, she shoved them into her mouth as she drove. Doing so while driving a manual truck wasn't her smartest choice, but she couldn't help herself. She licked her fingers between each shift of the gears, and she only stalled the engine twice .
Like most drives in Gresham, the distance was beautifully short, taking only five minutes to reach the YMCA.
When Olivia opened the door for Ms. Darcy to hop out, Fiona saw them and squealed with delight. Olivia’s niece ran over and buried her round face into Ms. Darcy's neck, mingling her blond pigtails with Ms. Darcy’s fur.
“Hi, Ms. Darcy!” Fiona yelled as she pulled back.
Equally excited, Ms. Darcy gave a few quick, delighted barks before aggressively licking any remaining breakfast off Fiona’s face. Fiona squirmed and giggled hysterically.
The sight of Fiona and Ms. Darcy together, both contenders for the title of greatest love of her life , always warmed Olivia’s heart. She pulled out her phone and snapped a photo, capturing Ms. Darcy mid-lick and Fiona mid-giggle-squirm. She took a moment to send the picture to her sister, Grace, who immediately responded with three lines of heart eyes.
With her arms wrapped around Ms. Darcy’s neck, Fiona looked up and said, “Hi, Auntie Olivia!”
“Hello, my sweet Fiona.” Olivia squatted to her level. “Do you think I might be able to get a hug, too?”
“Okay.” Fiona giggled and ran straight into Olivia’s arms. Olivia let out a dramatic “oof” and fell backward, pulling Fiona on top of her, amping up the pitch and decibel of Fiona’s laughter.
“Auntie Olivia,” Fiona chided.
“Sorry, Fiona, you’re too strong. I couldn’t help it.” Olivia gave Fiona a big smooch on the cheek.
"You're silly," Fiona giggled.
“It’s true. I am a silly goose.”
“Honk,” Fiona replied with more peals of laughter .
They’d been working on the routine for years, and Olivia thought they’d nailed it that time.
“Did Nanna tell you we were coming?” Olivia asked.
While not technically Fiona’s grandma, Olivia’s mom loved that Fiona called her Nanna.
“Yes!” Fiona made her way back to Ms. Darcy’s side.
“I’ve been missing you, little girly.”
“I’ve missed you, too. Can I stay over at your house tonight, and Ms. Darcy can sleep in my bed?”
Was there anything better than a seven-year-old’s ability to shamelessly ask for exactly what they wanted? A lesson for us all.
“That sounds so fun ! Buuut, I have to ask your mom.”
“My mom will definitely say yes.”
Olivia laughed. “Are you sure about that?”
“Yes, I’m pretty sure,” Fiona said confidently.
Olivia gave Fiona one more kiss on the forehead before standing back up and holding Fiona’s small hand in one of hers while the other gripped Ms. Darcy’s leash.
“We’ll see. I’ll text her, and if not tonight, soon! Your mom might just need a little more notice so she can plan for it, okay?”
“Okay,” Fiona said happily.
“Okay,” Olivia mimicked before adding, “Ya know, Ms. Darcy is here to meet all of your friends. We’re gonna do some cool tricks. Does that sound good?”
“That sounds awesome,” Fiona confirmed.
“Awesome possum!”
“Awesome possum!” Fiona mimicked back.
“Can you hang onto Ms. Darcy’s leash while I set up the agility course? ”
“Yes,” Fiona said, in her most serious voice, tightly gripping the leash with both hands, her face the picture of stoicism.
Olivia told Ms. Darcy to lie down and stay. She wouldn’t leave Fiona’s side. “Good girl, Missy,” Olivia said when Ms. Darcy planted her body onto the grass, laying her snout next to Fiona’s pink shoes.
As Olivia turned to grab Ms. Darcy's obstacles out of her truck, a black sedan pulled up next to her, and Aiden stepped out.
She froze momentarily before spurring herself back into motion. She waved and smiled at Aiden but used the excuse of grabbing the agility obstacles out of the back of her truck to give herself a moment.
Aiden walked toward her. “Hey, Olivia.” His characteristic mirth danced in his eyes.
“Hey, Aiden.” Gratefully, her hands were full, so she didn’t have to worry about whether she should shake his hand or reach for a hug.
She took Aiden in. He was dressed in what she guessed was his doctor garb–slacks and a button-up shirt.
She looked down at her casual outfit–shorts, a T-shirt, and Birkenstocks. She was suddenly self-conscious about the friendship bracelet she’d worn. Her friend, Jessa, had made it as a joke for her last birthday, but Olivia wore it often because the bright, interwoven colors made her happy.
“It’s nice to see you again. Can I help you carry anything?” Aiden asked, gesturing toward the back of her truck.
“You, too. And sure. Can you grab that circle thing and that little table? ”
“Of course.” He reached over the side of the track to grab the obstacle course materials before following Olivia toward the lawn where several kids were waiting.
“So, is agility training a side hustle for you?” Aiden asked, sounding genuinely curious.
Olivia looked at him and laughed. “No. Not at all. I just do it because it makes Missy happy. How about you? Are you required to volunteer a certain number of hours as a doctor?”
“Nope. I just do it because it makes my mom happy.”
“Well, that’s generous of you. How was the drive?”
Olivia motioned for him to put the stuff down, and she walked around, setting it all up. It gave her an excuse to look somewhere besides his face because his ridiculous dimples and twinkly eyes were out in force, and it made her feel jittery.
“Not bad. I left Saint Paul at six, so I think I beat most of the morning traffic.”
“That’s good. Are you staying for the weekend? Should I be expecting you at my farmers market stand on Saturday?” She wondered if she sounded flirty.
“Unfortunately not. I have to work this weekend, but I’m having lunch with my mom after this if you want to join us.”
“Oh.” The invitation caught her off guard. Did he just invite her to lunch with his mom? “Um, sorry, I can’t. I have to start harvesting flowers today and get ready for my big veggie harvest tomorrow. The end of the week is kind of crazy for me.”
By the time Olivia had finished setting up, she hadn’t stopped analyzing the invitation to lunch with his mom. Had he sensed she was flirting and tried to shut it down? Was he trying to establish a clear friend zone? Because she didn’t need a friend zone. She was good with staying off the field entirely.
In hopes she came across as equally friendly, she asked, “Do you want to meet my niece, Fiona? Well, technically, she’s my cousin’s daughter, but we’re all pretty close.”
“Absolutely, I’d like that.” Aiden followed her over to Fiona, and Olivia watched him kneel so they were eye-to-eye in height.
“Hey, Fiona, sweetie, this is Dr. Wescott. He’s here to help out today, just like Ms. Darcy and me.”
“Hi!” Fiona said. She smiled but did not take her hands off Ms. Darcy’s leash.
Ms. Darcy thumped her tail happily against the ground, but she held her stay.
“Hi, Fiona. It’s nice to meet you. You can call me Dr. A. Is this your puppy?”
“No.” Fiona giggled. “This is Missy, Auntie Olivia’s doggy. She’s not a puppy!”
“She’s not?” he said in mock surprise. “Well, she’s a very well-behaved dog. Do you mind if I pet her?”
Fiona leaned down to whisper loudly into Ms. Darcy’s ear, “Dr. A. wants to pet you, okay?”
Ms. Darcy licked her cheek. Fiona giggled and wiped her face. “Okay, she’s ready.”
Aiden reached down and scratched Ms. Darcy on the cheeks, then rubbed her ears. “Hi, Missy.”
Something about Aiden’s ease made Olivia feel strangely happy. She shouldn't be surprised Aiden was good with small creatures. He was a pediatrician. However, she hadn’t anticipated what it would be like to see him in action with her small creatures .
All of it reminded Olivia, once again, that it had been thirteen years since high school. Like Olivia, Aiden had grown up.
Both Aiden and Olivia's moms made their way over and gave them their respective hugs before each taking a turn to hug Fiona. “Hi,” they said, big smiles on their faces. They looked expectantly from Olivia to Aiden and back again.
“Hi.” Olivia silently begged her mom to please stop with the obvious grin already.
“Hi, Mom. Mrs. Olsen,” Aiden said.
He reached out and shook her mom’s hand, and Aiden’s mom gave Olivia a hug. She felt like she’d somehow stumbled into someone else’s family reunion.
Fortunately, Maya, the head teacher and the only paid adult, called everyone to attention.
Once everything and everyone were in their place, Maya gave an overview of what to expect.
Olivia looked around. All eight campers were in attendance, and their special needs ranged from being very able-bodied, like Fiona, to being wheelchair-bound. Their cognitive levels varied as well.
One of the kids was a local fifth grader named Cole, who had been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, or SMA, when he was a year and a half old. Olivia’s mom had gotten very emotionally connected to Cole over the past few summers, and it had been hard for her to see his muscles weaken each year. When Olivia’s mom had first started volunteering with him and the other kids, Cole could walk with braces and crutches, but now he was fully dependent on his chair.
In addition to Fiona, four other children had Down syndrome. The final two campers were on the autism spectrum .
Maya introduced Olivia, Aiden, and the two other healthcare volunteers–a local dentist and a nurse practitioner.
After completing introductions, Olivia and Ms. Darcy took their places. Self-conscious with Aiden watching, Olivia was glad they knew their routine well.
For the kids’ sake, she said, “Ms. Darcy, say hi,” while giving her the hand signal to bark twice.
Ms. Darcy obeyed, and the kids cheered and said, “Hi!” loudly back.
“Okay,” Olivia said as the kids settled down. “Are you ready?”
“Yes!” they called back.
“Okay, here we go.”
She unhooked Ms. Darcy’s leash and took her through an old routine they'd had to learn for the level three agility class. They easily completed each obstacle, and the kids squealed with delight. They absolutely lost it with giggles when Ms. Darcy wiggled her way through the long tunnel. When Ms. Darcy finished her routine with a “bow” on top of her dancing table, Olivia’s heart was bursting with joy and pride for her pup.
Calling her back to her side, Olivia gave Ms. Darcy treats and pets, scratching behind her ears and cheeks. She spoke sweetly into Ms. Darcy’s ear so she would know what an incredible dog she was. Everyone cheered, and Olivia caught Aiden’s smiling eyes. She gave Ms. Darcy a hug to hide her grin.
Finally, they walked around and said hello to each child so they could pet Ms. Darcy. Olivia let Ms. Darcy kiss their hands, eliciting delighted squeals every time. After each camper had a turn and a cuddle, it was time for Aiden and the nurse practitioner to go to work .
Olivia’s mom held Ms. Darcy's leash and gave her belly rubs while Olivia quietly disassembled the course and packed it up in the back of her truck. As she turned back to the event, Mrs. Wescott blocked her path.
“Olivia, that was so great,” she said quietly. “The kids absolutely loved it!”
“Oh, thanks, Mrs. Wescott. Ms. Darcy loves showing off,” Olivia whispered back, not wanting to distract the kids.
“Oh, please, call me Carolyn.” She took in Olivia from head to toe before meeting her eyes. “Well, I can see how you've won over two of my sons. Fortunately, Nathan won’t be coming back until Ellen’s wedding in September, or we’d have a real pickle on our hands.”
Olivia was speechless, her mouth opened in surprise, and her cheeks burned with embarrassment. She snuck a glance at Aiden, wondering what he’d told his mom.
What does she know?! Olivia panicked silently. Please, god, not about the skinny dipping. I'm a good person. I don't deserve that.
“I…” She couldn’t think of a response.
Faced with Olivia’s open-mouthed panic, Carolyn continued, “Well, either one would be lucky to have you, but let it be known that I'm rooting for Aiden.”
“Thank you?”
What does she know? And what exactly is she rooting for?
“Oh dear, I can see I've embarrassed you.”
Olivia’s blush crept toward her neck.
“I'm sorry,” Carolyn continued. “I sometimes forget that we Wescotts tend to be very blunt. All the same, thank you again. This was just wonderful. Hopefully, I 'll see you again soon. I'll let ya get going.”
“Okay, thanks, Mrs. Wescott. See you around.”
“Carolyn,” she said quietly but firmly.
Olivia smiled and walked toward her mom, who lifted an eyebrow questioningly.
Olivia shook her head in several small rapid movements, willing her cheeks to cool, and whispered, “Not now, Mom.”
Olivia gave her mom and Fiona quick hugs goodbye. Catching Aiden’s eye, she gave him a small wave. He tilted his head as if to ask if she was leaving, and she nodded. He smiled and waved back. She got herself and Ms. Darcy situated in the truck. Before driving off, she sent a text to Fiona's mom, Cassie.
Olivia: Hey, any chance I can have Fiona over to spend the night again sometime soon?
Cassie : That would be amazing! Philip and I are SO overdue for a date night. I know you have the market on Saturdays. Would this Sunday work?
Olivia : That's perfect! Feel free to bring her by any time after 3. If it's helpful, I can drop her off at camp on Monday morning.
Cassie : You’re the best! Thank you!!!
Olivia : My pleasure! :)
About to put her truck in gear, she sent one more text to Jessa, her best friend in Seattle.
Olivia : I think I have boy troubles.
Jessa : Already? I thought you said moving back would force you into a life of celibacy
Olivia : I mean, the celibacy situation is intact, but I might have gotten caught skinny dipping by a guy I went to high school with, and there is a small chance his mom knows about it.
Jessa : Woah! Awkward! LOLOLOLOL!
Olivia : I know!! Can we video chat soon? I think I need to talk this one through
Jessa : Yas! Call me tonight after 7 my time. What time will that be there?
Olivia : 9. It will always be plus two hours from where you are. That never changes.
Jessa : Hey lady, it’s confusing. That never changes