21. Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-One
Elise
P opping the pies into the oven, I set the timer before moving on to prep the sunflower bread recipe I want to test out. Along with adding the hot menu items to the menu, I have completely revamped the sandwich menu during the day to be more gourmet.
My stomach turns when I crack the egg and add it to the mix, a wave of nausea passing through me. “I better not be getting sick again,” I mutter.
Digging through the drawers, I grab a mask from the box I keep and put it on. The last thing I need is to get anyone sick and destroy all the growth I’ve made. My inspection grades have always been perfect and I intend to keep them that way.
I hear Mary in the front, her chipper voice greeting another customer. We’ve gotten so busy, I have posted an ad to hire a part-time employee to help during rush hours.
Covering the bread, I leave it to rise and wash up, joining Mary up front.
I snag a banana muffin and start nibbling at it, the nausea passing. I glance at the clock and realize it’s been almost six hours since I’ve eaten. No wonder I feel sick.
“Elise, this is my daughter, Morgan.” Mary gestures to a pretty brunette who looks exactly how I imagine Mary did at the same age.
“It’s so nice to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” I smile at her.
Her responding grin is friendly. “I’m sure only some of it is true.”
Mary gives an offended gasp. “I don’t lie, and I never need to lie about you. Now, how are things going? Are your coworkers warming up to you?”
Morgan shrugs. “I guess. Now that the school year has started, we’re all so busy that there’s no time to notice that I’m not invited out with the rest of them. Anyway, I spend most of my time on the farm.”
“Morgan is renting a small house on a farm. The farmer, Nathan, is a quiet sort. Seems a bit shy. He’s a fair bit older than you too, isn’t he?” Mary asks, turning to make a chai latte.
Morgan smiles a little. “I guess. He’s thirty-nine.”
“So twelve years. I guess it’s not like he’s twenty years older and renting to a young woman. Just make sure he treats you with respect.” Mary turns, handing Morgan the drink.
“Of course, Momma.” Morgan takes it, smiling indulgently. “Anyway, I just felt like getting out, so I figured I would pop in. We should go get pedicures one day.”
Taking another bite of my banana muffin, I watch as Mary rounds the counter to give her daughter a hug. It warms my heart to see such a close mother-daughter bond. I wonder if that’s how my relationship with my own mom would’ve been had she not passed. “Sounds good. Let me know when.”
“It was nice to meet you, Elise.” She waves and leaves with her drink.
Mary sighs. “Being a parent never gets any easier. I can see how lonely she is and there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“You’re doing everything you need to. You’re there for her when she needs you.” Covering my mouth, I fight off a yawn.
Mary’s eyes narrow on me. “You’ve been yawning all day. You okay?”
Turning, I toss the wrapper from the muffin into the garbage. “Yeah, I think I’m just fighting something. I’m going to go home and go to bed. The sunflower bread is rising. And—oh my god! The pies.”
Rushing into the kitchen, I open the oven and pull them out. My shoulders drop when I see they’re perfect.
“Go home. Rest. I will finish the bread,” Mary shoos me out, her mom voice brooking no room for argument.
Young Jae isn’t home when I get there since it’s so early, so I let Kimchi outside before calling her to bed for a nap.
When I wake up, it’s dark and Young Jae is sitting on the edge of the bed rubbing my back.
“What time is it?” Rubbing my eyes, I feel super groggy.
“It’s seven. Dinner is ready and I already cleaned the kitchen. I went into Perk Up earlier and Mary said you were exhausted all day. Are you feeling better?” He helps me sit up, handing me a glass of water.
Stretching my neck, I feel sluggish and still exhausted. “Not really. I think I’m going to come right back to bed after dinner.”
“Good idea. I just made a simple meal. Roasted chicken breast, asparagus, and some fried rice.” He stands, holding his hand out for mine.
Taking his hand, I stand and follow him out of the room. “It smells delicious.”
I feel his eyes on me throughout dinner, even though I try to be fully engaged in the conversation. Despite my hopes, dinner doesn’t help me with my energy, so I kiss him and head back to bed, my eyes closing before I finish laying down.
***
The next morning I wake up feeling fresh and perky. Young Jae isn’t in bed, which is unusual considering the early morning.
I wash up and get ready for the day before heading downstairs. I find Young Jae in the kitchen making breakfast burritos.
“You seem well-rested.” He smiles as he hands me a plate. “I thought I would make breakfast in case you wanted to rest a little longer.”
Kissing him on the cheek, I take the plate. “Thank you. I do feel much better, I guess I just needed a solid night’s sleep. What do you have going on today?”
“Thistle Creek just sent me updated info on the grain elevator, so just a continuation of that project.” He dives into details of what he’s working on and I love seeing his passion. The creation of something new while also maintaining a piece of history. I can tell that he loves this more than just creating something new.
“I can’t wait to visit it when it’s done.” I finish breakfast and sip my coffee.
He laughs. “Same, but that’s a couple years down the road. Even though we’re not rebuilding, a lot of internal structure needs to be developed.”
“I still can’t wait. Will there be an opening gala? Something I can dress up for and be arm candy when you go as the amazing architect that designed the space?” Young Jae is it for me, I know in one, two, three years we will still be together.
His eyes soften as he looks at me. “I’m sure there will at least be a grand opening we could attend.”
With a bounce in my step, I clean up breakfast, kiss him, and head to Perk Up to open. I have a couple interviews today and I want to get the prep done early.
By the time Mary comes in at noon, I’ve concluded the interviews and the lunch rush has started. I don’t know if it was the process of screening potential employees or the busier than normal opening rush, but I’m exhausted again.
Mary takes over at the counter so I can restock the sandwiches and other prepared foods. She typically cooks the hot meals in the evenings, my preference the baking and daytime foods that I can prepare somewhat in advance.
My head starts to feel woozy as I finish a roast chicken on focaccia with guacamole, bacon, and green leaf lettuce. Bracing my hands on the counter, I clench my eyes as a wave of dizziness hits me. What is going on? I felt fine this morning.
It passes as quickly as it came, so I finish in the back and restock the case at the counter. Every day we nearly clear out and I haven’t had as much to bring to the seniors home. Making a mental note, I plan to make extra so I can continue to bring treats at least three times a week.
The lunch rush ends, leaving Mary and me to clean up.
“I’m going to tackle the patio. I think I need some fresh air.” I wave my hand in front of my face. The room feels hot and it’s making me nauseous.
“Are you okay?” Mary’s face is concerned.
“Yeah, I’m okay.” I head outside and clean up the tables, wiping the surfaces and straightening chairs. Once it’s all cleaned, I sit down and enjoy the gentle breeze blowing.
The door to Perk Up opens, Mary coming out with a couple mugs. “I made you some tea.”
Taking it gratefully, I sip and enjoy feeling my head clear a bit.
We sit in silence for a bit, enjoying the cooler breeze of fall. The leaves are starting to change and as much as I love summer, this time of year is my favorite.
Mary clears her throat, angling herself to look at me. “I’m worried about you, Elise. You’re paler than normal, your energy is low, and I’ve noticed the dizzy spells and nausea. I think you should go see a doctor. None of that is normal, especially for you.”
Setting my mug down, I face her. “Mary, I’m fine.”
“Look, I know I’m your employee and nothing more—” she starts but I cut her off.
“You know you’re more than an employee to me, Mary. You’re a friend too.”
She smiles, patting my arm. “Thank you, hon. Then as your friend, I am asking you to go see a doctor before this becomes more serious.”
Her concern means a lot to me, especially since some days she feels like the mom I missed out on since mine passed when I was only four. Sighing, I concede. “Okay, I will call and make an appointment. But for today, I need your help deciding which of these candidates are the best fit. They all interviewed well.”
Mary stands, happy with my agreement to see a doctor, and we head back inside to look at their resumes and the notes I made after the interview concluded. It takes some back and forth, but we finally agree that Nicole is the best fit. She had the best overall interview, is eager to learn about more than just the front end stuff, and out of them all, I feel like her personality will mesh with Mary and me the best.
I excuse myself to my little back office and make the call. She eagerly accepts the job and I schedule her to start the following week. Hanging up, I lean back in my chair and close my eyes. Mary is right I need to call the doctor. I’ve never been this exhausted in my life.
“Elise? Are you okay?”
Opening my eyes to the concern in Mary’s voice, I yawn. “Yeah, sorry. After speaking to Nicole, I figured I would close my eyes for a minute.”
Her brows furrow. “You’ve been back here for forty-five minutes. Adeline and Rae are out front asking for you.”
Inhaling sharply, I glance at the time. Damn. I’ve never done that before. “Yeah. Okay. Tell them I will be out in five—I’m going to call my doctor and set up that appointment.”