Chapter Four
Soren
Now I knew what Jovan was trying to tell me that day at the shop.
The day after their visit, I received another from someone I knew well.
Ms. Lily who was in charge of the little room and most special events at Chained was waiting outside when I arrived at work.
It took me a second to recognize her because I realized, I’d never seen her anywhere but at the club.
A lot like seeing your teacher at the supermarket.
Person out of context. Instead of clubwear or one of the costumes she sometimes donned for special parties or holidays, she wore capris and a floral button-down with casual sandals.
A canvas shopping bag hung over her shoulder. Just another lady out shopping.
“Soren, it’s a pleasure to see you. I know you’re not open yet. But if you can spare a few minutes, I would like to discuss something I need help with.”
“Of course. I hope everything at the club is all right.” I opened the door and beckoned her inside. “Come in and make yourself at home. Coffee?”
“Don’t put yourself out for me,” she said, setting her bag on a table. “Unless you’re making it anyway.”
“I am. For me, and we do affogatos as well. Hot coffee poured over ice cream?”
“Oh, I know what that is. I had one with gelato when I was in Italy. Is it too early to…”
“Not at all.” I hit the button on the coffeemaker, listening to the beautiful sound of the beans grinding. “Traditional vanilla? Or would you like something different?”
“Vanilla.” She giggled. “It’s a fun choice for one of us, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes, but there’s nothing ordinary about my vanilla. We make everything here, by hand.”
“So I hear.” As the coffee dripped into the pot, I held up the scoop. “One or two?”
“One is decadent enough for this time of the morning, don’t you think?”
“I am the chief taste tester of my own product. I’ve been known to eat a lot more than one scoop before breakfast.” I made the scoop a little large, closer to one and a half, then filled a double shot glass with coffee and took it all, along with a spoon, to the table.
“You aren’t joining me?”
“Just for coffee. One moment.” Filling a cup, I added a splash of heavy cream and sat down opposite Ms. Lily. “Now, how can I help you?”
She dipped up a spoonful, creamy and melted at the edges from the hot coffee, and slipped it in her mouth. Her eyes closed, and she sighed. “Jovan was not wrong about you.”
“Well, thank you, I think. He said he and Ernie had been trying ice cream all around town. I’m assuming there’s a connection to your visit and your request for some help?”
“I asked the boys to check out the ice-cream shops around town and tell me which one they liked best. You’re the winner.”
“What’s my prize?”
“It’s more like a mission, should you choose to accept it. We are planning an ice-cream party in the little room shortly, and we’re looking for someone to provide the catering. Is that something you can do?”
“It would be my first, but I can’t think of a reason why not. I’d be honored to help you out. Chained means a lot to me.”
She reached into the canvas bag and pulled out a manilla envelope. “Here’s the contract. Take your time and read it over while I finish my breakfast.” She winked. “If you need longer, I’m going to take you up on the extra scoop.”
It was just a few pages. I would provide ice cream and toppings and utensils, etc.
for the party in exchange for a very generous sum.
I took my time, though, so Ms. Lily would have time to have that extra serving.
She was always doing things for other people, and I valued the opportunity to do something nice for her.
On the day of the event, I arrived early to set up.
Prepping had been a bit more work than I anticipated, and I’d used a bit of the profits in advance to buy a portable freezer that I could use on future catering gigs or maybe set up a booth at a community event.
It was pricy, but I loved it. Imagined a Fourth of July picnic or a wedding?
Thanks to Ms. Lily and her great ideas, a whole new world had opened for me.
But I was getting ahead of myself. Best to see how I did this time before planning my worldwide ice-cream tour.
The staff at Chained had offered me every assistance, but all I needed were the folding tables they brought out for all sorts of events.
I had tablecloths embossed with dancing ice-cream cones, paper napkins in a rainbow of ice-cream hues, bowls and spoons guaranteed to warm the hearts of littles, six flavors of ice cream, more toppings than even I could count, and of course the important and magical edible glitter.
Also, a coffeepot for the mommies and daddies who might like an affogato like Ms. Lily.
While I laid everything out, with the help of Karen the cake decorator—a mommy and fellow member of Chained—I recalled learning I’d inherited the storefront from an uncle I’d only met once long ago.
It wasn’t an ice-cream shop then. Just a failed boutique that hadn’t been open in years.
I’d arrived intending to arrange to empty out the place and have it cleaned.
I’d take a couple weeks off from my office job to handle it, but when I loaded the last box in the dumpster I’d rented and looked around at the four walls, I suddenly saw more than an old dress store that needed a good scrubbing and a fresh coat of paint.
What if…
“Boss?” Karen said. “Unless you can think of something else, I’d say we’re ready.”
“Hey! Looks like you brought the whole shop.” Jovan had come in while we were working. “I wanted to thank you for that pint you sent home with us. Ernie loved every bite, and we’ll be by for more soon.”
“Thanks. I brought chocolate, by the way. Make sure he gets in line early in case it’s popular.”
“I will. I left him in the changing room, so I’m going back there to finish up and then he’ll be in.”
“All right.”
He started for the door and then stopped and turned back. “Ernie asked me to find out if you brought the glitter?”
I tapped two containers on the table. “Tell him I got the stuff.”
After Jovan left, littles began to filter into the room, and Karen and I were on duty. In the time I’d known her, she’d spent time with both boys and girls, but never one in particular for very long. Like me, she hadn’t met her person.
“Everyone make an orderly line,” Ms. Lily said, working her way toward the sundae stand I’d set up. “Daddy Soren has plenty for everyone, so practice your best patience and when you are all served, I have a story to read you about the biggest ice cream cone in the world.”
A chorus of “Oooohhhs” filled the room as they all got in line. I wanted to hear that story myself!