Chapter 5
Beverly balanced a tray on one hip as she headed over to Nash’s table. “You all good? You’re in late today.” Nash was always her first customer of the day.
“Yep, had an early morning job I had to get to. Made my own coffee at home. Remind me not to do that again.” He grinned up at her, holding up his mug.
She smiled back, poured him more coffee, then turned to hurry toward the kitchen with the tray of dishes she’d cleared.
Her best friend, Maxine, came rushing out of the kitchen. “I think every person on Magnolia has decided to come here to eat today. I’ve never seen it this busy.”
“It is a bit nuts, isn’t it?” But Beverly didn’t mind. She loved the busy days, greeting her customers and chatting with them when she had a moment. The clank of dishes and silverware and the intermittent burst of laughter. She’d had no idea when she purchased the tiny cafe all those years ago that she would expand it and it would become such a popular place on the island. Pride flowed through her at her accomplishment as she turned to wait on yet another couple who entered the cafe.
Things finally slowed down later in the morning, and she grabbed her friend for a cup of coffee. “Let’s sit.”
They sat at the counter sipping coffee but keeping an eye on the handful of customers in case they needed anything. She relaxed as the familiar hum of low conversation and the occasional clink of the coffee cups surrounded them. She turned to Maxine.
“So I heard that the section of beachy decor at Second Finds is growing. Seems like it’s a big hit.” Beverly took a sip of her coffee, enjoying the flavor of the new coffee beans she’d ordered.
Maxine’s eyes lit up. “Dale says at this rate, I’ll take over his whole shop.” She laughed “As if. But I am having fun. Dale and I are going to make a big run up the state and hit some estate sales, looking for more furniture for him to fix up and me to paint.” She scrubbed at a few specks of paint on her hands. “I swear, I never get all the paint off me.”
“I’m glad it’s working out. You’re very talented.” Beverly glanced over at the bookcase that Maxine had refinished for a lending library. The whole lending library idea had been a hit too. Her customers were constantly borrowing or donating books to it. She might even have to make room for another bookshelf.
The door opened, and a woman from yesterday returned. The one who had looked a bit lost. She hesitated in the doorway. Beverly rose and waved to her.
“No, don’t get up,” the woman said. “I just came in for a cup of coffee.”
“Would you like to join us?” Beverly offered. No use having her sit alone again. She got the feeling the woman would welcome the company.
“Yes, I would, thank you.”
Beverly poured her a cup of coffee and slid it toward her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name yesterday.”
“It’s… Tori.”
“Nice to meet you, Tori. And this is Maxine.” Beverly glanced at Maxine. “Tori used to come here as a girl.”
“With my grandmother. Every summer.” Tori smiled, a wistful look in her eyes. “I looked forward to it every year. But then, as I got older… well, I thought other things were more important. They weren’t, but I was too young to realize it back then.”
“We all make crazy choices when we’re younger.” Maxine’s eyes clouded for a moment, then she grinned. “But I’m hoping I’m making better choices now.”
“Aren’t we all hoping we get smarter as we age?” Beverly nodded and turned to Tori. “So, are you exploring the island today? Seeing what’s changed?”
“I’m just starting to. I rented a bike since I’m not big on driving. Got one at The Bike Shop.”
“Ah, so did you meet Gavin?”
“Older man? Handsome and grumpy?” Tori gave a wry grin.
“That’s our Gavin.” Beverly laughed. “He grows on you as you get to know him. But mostly he likes to keep to himself.”
“I got that. I thought for a few minutes he was going to refuse to rent a bike to me. And he barely said anything to me while I was at his shop.”
“He’s a man of few words. But he really is a good man under all that grumpy facade of his.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it.” Tori shook her head.
The door opened again, and Beverly grinned. “Speaking of the devil.”
Gavin strode across the floor, not saying hi to anyone, although Beverly was fully aware he knew the customers still sitting at the tables. He headed over to the counter. “Got my to-go order?”
Beverly stood. “Sure do. Let me just grab it for you. Oh, Gavin, you’ve met Tori, haven’t you?”
He just bobbed his head, hardly glancing at Tori. She shook her head as she went into the kitchen. Gavin was his own worst enemy. Keeping up his walls. Afraid to let anyone in. Not that she really blamed him after what had happened. But still, how many years could you hold a grudge against the whole world?
A knot tightened in Tori’s stomach, his indifference stinging more than it should. Her heart drummed in irritation. She wasn’t sure Gavin could annoy her any more than he had at The Bike Shop, but it appeared he could. He was basically ignoring her. Or was it more… dismissing her? What in the world made him think he could just keep acting like a cold-hearted jerk? Not that she cared. She’d gotten her bike. That’s all she needed from him.
Beverly returned and handed Gavin a sack. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” Gavin dropped some bills on the counter, turned, and walked briskly to the door, his footsteps ringing with dismissal.
Fine then. He’d hardly acknowledged her. She was fine with that. Really. Okay, not really. She was used to people recognizing her. Wanting to talk to her. Being nice to her. But then, she wanted her anonymity now, didn’t she?
Yes. Yes, she did. She wanted to fly under the radar in hopes they didn’t find her.
And really, why did his opinion of her matter, anyway? It didn’t.
“His bark is worse than his bite, I promise.” Beverly’s voice was laced with understanding and compassion.
Compassion she herself wasn’t willing to show after how he’d treated her. “If you say so.”
Maxine set down her coffee and leaned forward. “Did you hear the rumor that someone is interested in buying the old theater and tearing it down?”
“No,” Beverly said, her words cutting through the air. “That can’t happen. I know it’s closed now, but with a bit of work, it could still be used for… something.”
“Rumor has it that it might be Miss Eleanor’s son, Cliff, wanting to buy it.”
Maxine and Beverly passed a look between them, but Tori wasn’t sure what that was about.
“Cliff needs to be stopped. Both his desire to build his high rise at the end of the boardwalk and his ridiculous idea to tear down the theater.”
“A high rise at the end of the boardwalk?” Tori frowned. “That seems so wrong. It will ruin the whole atmosphere.”
“We’re trying to stop him.” Beverly shook her head. “But Cliff always seems to do just what he wants. What’s best for him.” Bitterness edged her words.
“I remember the theater from when we used to come here. My grandmother would take me to plays there.”
“They used to put on so many plays there. Always had two productions in the summer. And then another couple in January and February when the snowbirds come to hide out from winter. Oh, and the children’s Christmas program was held there. The high school graduation. And a few other events during the year. Oh, and movie nights. Can’t forget those.”
“Right, the movie nights. We went almost every week when we were girls, didn’t we?” Maxine’s lips curled into a gentle smile, her eyes full of warmth at the memories.
“You two knew each other back then?”
“Best friends. Since—well, since we were born. Maxine just moved back here a bit ago. Love having her back,” Beverly said.
She was envious of the close relationship they had. A lifelong friendship. Something she’d never had. She pushed her jealousy away and went back to the theater talk. “Why is it closed now?”
“The repairs got expensive, I guess. I’m not sure who owns it now. It’s been sold a few times, but never opened again.” Beverly shook her head.
“That’s a shame. It was such a pretty theater.”
“It was.” Maxine stood. “I’ll get coffee refills for our remaining customers.”
“I should get back to work, too.”
“Thanks for letting me join you.” Tori was thankful for the company.
“Anytime.”
Tori paid for her coffee and rose. “I think I’ll go now. I’m ready to poke around town a bit. See what’s changed. What’s the same.”
“Have fun.”
“Oh, is Sharky’s still here?”
“Sure is.”
“Perfect. I think I’ll have dinner there tonight.” She turned and headed outside to get her bike.
She climbed back on it and was pleased that she didn’t wobble nearly as much as she headed out. Many of the storefronts had new stores in them, of course. There was still the park and gazebo just off Main Street. That had been kept up nicely, and it looked like the gazebo was freshly painted. She and Grams used to come and listen to concerts at the park. So many memories.
She pedaled back down the street and ended up putting her bike on a bike rack so she could walk along the sidewalks. She popped into a few stores and made a mental note to come back and buy some clothes that were more appropriate for a stay here on the island.
She made it to almost the end of the Main Street and there it was. The theater. The marquee, once bright and beckoning, stood faded with just a few letters clinging to it. The bright green door had faded to a pale mint color, the paint peeling, proclaiming years of neglect.
She ran her hand along the brick wall, remembering coming here with her grandmother. The excitement of opening night. Grams always liked to come on opening night. She was pretty sure these early trips to the shows were what started her down the path to her career.
She closed her eyes briefly, willing the flashes of memories of her former career to fade. No use dwelling on the past.
She turned and slowly walked around the building, spying a broken window here and the peeling remains of the last show behind a glassed panel there. She peered in through the dusty windows, so sad to see this beautiful building in such disrepair. She could almost feel the excitement and anticipation that used to fill the theater. The hushed tones of conversation as people took their seats. The quiet when the stage lights would snap on.
She walked around the building and tried the back door, not knowing what she would do if it opened, but it was locked. Sadness swept through her at this abandoned theater. No longer considered useful. Left to decay.
She walked back to the front and stood staring at the marquee. How great would it be if the theater could be restored back to its former glory? Become a functioning part of Magnolia again? Become useful. Make a comeback from this shadow of its former self.
A gentle tug at her heart let her know what she wanted to do. What she had to do. Or at least she’d try.