Chapter 21 #2
They spoke for a few minutes about who each of them needed to talk to. Jo waited for an opportunity to speak to the crowd. She made her way toward the slightly elevated corner stage where Adrian and the other musicians played.
When Adrian paused between songs, Jo stepped up and tapped the microphone. The chatter quieted, and faces turned toward her.
“I promise I won’t keep you from the coffee cookies for long,” she said after introducing herself. That got a laugh, which steadied her. “I want to say a few things while I have you all here.”
She looked around the room. Maileah raised her phone to record her, watching her with bright eyes. Knox and Penny had joined Junie. Candy turned to listen, and Dulcie, flour dust on her hands, stood in the kitchen doorway with other staff.
Everyone who could make it was here but the man who’d promised he wouldn’t miss it. Better that she knew that now, she thought.
“Ten years ago,” Jo continued, “I bought a rundown diner on this corner because it was the only thing I could afford or knew how to do. My passion for coffee and our early customers carried me. Now, look how far we’ve come, together.”
Applause filled the room.
Jo gestured to the tasting stations. “This coffee you’re sampling tonight only exists because of women.
What you’re tasting is grown by women-owned farms and cooperatives around the world, whose stories are on these cards by each station.
Please take them with you. Once the beans arrive here, we continue the packing and shipping with more women. ”
More applause and shouts of approval rang out.
“Now, please meet my good friends, two women who helped kick off the campaign, along with an honorary man.”
Jo introduced Junie, and Maileah beamed while Rocky chuckled.
“I want to thank Junie, who helps plan and source the new merchandise. To Maileah, who knows how to share my story. And to Rocky, whose spreadsheets keep me on firm footing and who is headed off to a bigger project next month. I hope he inspects the shake machine before he leaves, because I heard an odd rattle again.”
Rocky raised his cup in her direction. “Anytime, Jo.”
Jo went on, expressing her appreciation.
“To Candy, who also runs this counter and literally pushed me out the door yesterday so I could clear my head.” A few knowing chuckles went through her staff.
“And to Dulcie and my whole kitchen crew, who baked hundreds of cookies without a single complaint, or at least, none that reached me.”
Finally, Jo added, “And to my family, who couldn’t be here tonight. My grandmother Rose Dufour, and my younger brother, Hugo.”
She leaned into the microphone again. “There’s one more thing you should know.
Starting tonight, a portion of the profits from every bag of coffee we sell will return to the growing communities to fund scholarships and school supplies for the children of our coffee suppliers.
This brand started as a promise that every hand along the way would be seen and valued.
I want that to include the next generation, too. Full circle, from the ground up.”
Jo remained on the stage, letting the applause wash over her.
Over the crowd, she saw Blue walking in the door, and her heart lifted with hope.
When she thought the evening couldn’t get any better, she saw her grandmother beside him, dressed in a lovely linen outfit with one hand tucked through his arm. Like a queen, she surveyed the crowded diner with an expression of pride and satisfaction.
Behind them, grinning and slightly windblown, was Hugo. He mouthed the word ferry.
Jo could hardly believe it. She waved and called out across the diner.
Getting everyone’s attention again, Jo said, “The family I told you couldn’t make it has just arrived. I understand the ferry had mechanical issues.”
She introduced them, and Rose beamed and waved. Jo said, “Please show them a big Cuppa Jo’s welcome, friends.”
When the applause died, Blue spoke up. “If anyone crossed on the ferry, don’t worry, you won’t be stranded tonight. The ferry is open and operating again.”
Jo left the stage and Adrian and his friends played again. She cut through the crowd to Blue and her family.
“I’m so happy you made it,” she said. “But you’ve all got some explaining to do.”
“I hope you’re not upset with us,” Rose said. “I thought I’d given away Blue’s surprise last night when we spoke.” Her grandmother hugged her tightly. “This handsome young man drove all the way to San Diego to fetch me.”
“You said you weren’t feeling up to coming,” Jo said, looking between her grandmother and Blue.
“Blue called us yesterday afternoon and arranged it all,” Hugo said, coming in for his own hug. “We wanted to surprise you. My exam isn’t until next week.”
Jo looked up at Blue, who watched her with a loving expression. “You drove all the way to San Diego and back?”
“I knew you would want your family here.” Blue smiled and gave a small self-effacing shrug.
Mamie Rose patted Jo’s cheek. “How could we miss this? Now, I want to taste every one of these coffees.” She glanced at the stations. “Are those my cookies?”
Jo gestured to her baker. “Dulcie makes them from your recipe. They’re a huge hit here.”