10. Minnie
Chapter 10
Minnie
“ Y ou just take the orders. I’ll rustle them up. We can power through.” Tor comes around the counter, grabs an apron, and puts it on.
“But what about Connor? Why’s he so angry, what have I done?” I’m treading water, holding my head up, but I’m suddenly overcome with hopelessness. I’d been waiting all night to see him, full of the blossoming love inside me, and yet instead of the welcoming arms I’d expected, he’s done a complete personality switch on me.
“Don’t think about him now, Minnie.” She puts some orders on the strip, and jerks her chin at the line. “Let’s get these people through.”
I do a double take, then get back into the moment. I’m so relieved that Tor is here, and gosh, she’s quick. She’s like a whirlwind—I can see her restaurant training coming through. In about thirty minutes, everyone has either passed through or sat down with their food and the rush is over.
Way too soon, she says, “I’ve got to go, honey, I’m late for work.” She takes off the apron and hangs it on the hook.
I’ve been trying to stay calm by filling my head full of the orders and transactions, making coffees, and grabbing muffins and snacks, but at the prospect of being here on my own and stewing over Connor’s dark mood, I’m in a panic again.
“Tor, thanks so much for stepping in.” I grab a cloth and wipe a smear off the bench before I continue. “I’m so confused, this is horrible. What caused that outburst with Connor? Does he hate me? Is he prone to mood swings? I don’t think I can cope if he’s bipolar.”
Tor looks a little stricken, which has me even more scared. She puts her hands on my shoulders.
“Connor is one of the most gentle people I’ve known. Even for a PT, he’s quiet, thoughtful, and kind. He looks like a hell’s angel, but he’s more like a Labrador Retriever. I’ve never seen him mad like that, and I can’t believe he’d be mad at you . What he said was confusing, I agree. But try not to jump to any conclusions. Just hang in there and serve as many people as you can. And call me when you know what’s going on. I’ll try to get off early and come back to help.”
I give Tor a hug and take a deep breath. She squeezes my shoulder as she goes, walking out of the café and leaving me and my scattered mind wondering if I should prep more fruit for the next run of smoothies or bus some tables. I go to the fridge, but there’s no more fruit. Eventually, the decision is made for me, because after the next rush of customers, I’m out of milk, bread, and almost everything else. I’ve started opening up in the mornings, and Jimmy usually fills the fridges the night before—or there’s a delivery on the doorstep—but today, there’s nothing. I stand there for a while, manning my station, trying to do a good job, but I get tired of turning people away. There’s no point in staying open. I get the keys and close up the café, locking the door and moving across into the parking lot to find a place where I can sit and watch the café but can’t be seen.
I pull out my phone and start texting Tor:
Me: There was no food left so I had to close the café.
Tor : Nothing else you could do. Where are you now?
Me: On a bench in the parking lot. I can see the café from here if Jimmy comes back. I couldn’t wait out front. The customers were annoying and kept asking me awkward questions.
Tor: Connor will come back soon, I know it.
Me: I can’t believe you still have faith in Connor.
Tor: You have to believe in him.
Me: I’m scared. I want a simple life. Make great food, have good friends and security. I don’t want my heart to be thumping like this about a man. Men are too much trouble.
Tor: I know, I feel the same.
***
Two hours later, Jimmy arrives.
Me: Oh, Tor. Jimmy’s back. He’s bashing on the café door. He looks mad. Should I go over?
Tor: NO. STAY THERE. You should probably get out of sight.
Me: Wait, Connor’s there too. He’s shaking Jimmy by the shoulders. Now Jimmy’s hugging him. WTF?
Tor: Minnie. What? It’s been two whole minutes. WHAT’S GOING ON?
Me: Sorry Tor. All good, I’ll get back to you in a sec.
“Connor?” I’m almost scared to go up to them. Connor and I have—had—a connection. I can approach him. I know he was weird this morning, but I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt because we have that spark… I remember how he held me, and how we spoke to each other.
He looks at me. “Minnie? You closed the café? I thought you’d gone.” He’s rubbing his fist across his chest.
In my defense, I say, “I had no food to sell, and no sign of Jimmy, so I didn’t know what to do. I had to close.”
We both turn to look at Jimmy, who is now sitting at one of the outside tables with his head in his hands. I’m angry at him too, for leaving me like that. So I turn to Connor and raise my eyebrows.
Connor nods, opening his arms to me. “Minnie. Come here. It’s going to be okay.”
I’m not sure I forgive him yet and I look into his eyes skeptically. He nods, beckoning with his hand. Our connection is so strong, and in that moment, I know what I see looking back at me is true, so I go to him. I take a moment to feel his body around me like a cloak of protection.
To Jimmy he says, “Bro, let Minnie know what’s going on. You owe that to her. She’s covered for you for weeks in good faith. Minnie is an angel. You owe her.” He rubs my back.
Jimmy looks up at me. I don’t see his usual absentminded, irritable face or his sarcastic eyebrow. Instead, his eyes are wide and a little… scared?
“Thank you, Minnie, for all you have done, and I’m sorry.” In spite of this apology, I can’t say a thing, and I gulp.
Connor says, “Jimmy? You need to tell her everything. We want to help you.”
I’m full of questions but try to keep my face like ice. I look from Connor to Jimmy.
Jimmy clears his throat and continues. “Minnie, I haven’t been around lately because of problems with Harper. Connor didn’t know and I’m sorry I didn’t tell people. I just couldn’t… can’t… handle it. I don’t know what to do.”
Harper? I look at Connor and he clears his throat.
“Harper is Jimmy’s little girl, his daughter. When I found him, they were in the medical center, right here in the mall. Harper’s eight years old and she’s not well at all.”
I can see that Connor is broken up by this, and at the sight of his fearful face, my heart becomes a puddle of warm chocolate.
“I didn’t even know…” I start to say.
“Nobody knew that Jimmy was taking time off work to take Harper to doctors’ appointments, care for her. He’s been angry and confused. Upset. He’s taken it out on his business. On us. He should have told us the truth.” Connor has his hands on his hips and he’s not letting Jimmy off lightly. This tough love from Connor is giving me chills. Good ones.
I look at Jimmy, now sitting with his head in his hands.
I remember that Tor’s waiting to hear from me, so I grab my phone and send her a text.
Me: It’s OK. I’m good. Connor and Jimmy are back now. See you when you get here.
Tor : What happened?
Me: Turns out Jimmy’s daughter is sick. That’s why he’s been such a crappy manager lately.
Tor: I’ll be there in an hour. See you soon.
I curl myself within Connor’s arms again. He’s such a kind person. I know he’s trying to see the good in Jimmy.
“You’re right. We have to help him,” I say. I feel the strength come and I’m ready to help. If Connor thinks it’s right, then I’m in.