Violet
"Coffee first, everything else later."
Today is Thursday, which means Everett is coming into the café after closing tonight to plan the theater fundraiser.
When Lily suggested that I help him, I was hesitant at first. Getting involved with someone means trusting them, and he has walked away from this town once. Maybe he will do it again.
After the café closes, it always feels bigger.
I’m wiping down the counters and tables while I wait for Everett to show up. I told him around 7:30 p.m., and right on the dot, there he is.
I sense him before he knocks on the door. He’s been coming into the café on the days I don’t bring him coffee, and I’m not sure how, but I started to feel his presence before I even saw him. Like a magnetic pull. I chalk it up to all the time spent together and nothing more.
Opening the door, I step aside to let him in. He’s carrying dinner, which is good since I haven’t eaten since lunch. I’m sure he can hear my stomach grumble as he walks past me.
“Any table?” he asks.
“I thought we’d go up to my apartment and work, it’s more comfortable,” I say as I finish wiping down the counters.
“Oh, I see how it is, you want me to come upstairs,” he says, raising his eyebrow suggestively and winking.
What is it about a man winking at you that turns you into a puddle?
“You wish. You’ll be on your chair, and I’ll be on mine,” I say, teasing him back.
“Would you like a coffee? I can make decaf if you don’t want the caffeine this late?” I ask as we approach the door to my place.
“A decaf would be great, thank you.”
Once the door is open, I switch on the light in my apartment.
I give him a small tour. It’s not a big place, so it doesn’t take long.
You walk in, and right ahead of you is the living area, and to the left of that is the kitchen with a big window that looks out onto Main Street.
To the right of the living room, there is a small hallway with a bathroom and my bedroom a little farther down.
He seems to like it, not that I care. Right? Why do I care what he thinks?
Shaking my head, I hope to shake out thoughts of how nice he is, and how hot he is.
Heading back toward the kitchen, I go to make some decaf coffee for us both. As much as I want a full caffeine hit, coffee this late would be a horrible decision.
He watches me make our drinks, and we have some small talk about our day and work.
I didn’t know what to expect when I found out he was back in town. Everyone seems to have their own opinions and judgments about him, but from the moment I recognized him, I knew there was something there that no one else took the time to see.
“So, tell me, what did you bring for dinner? It smells delicious.”
“Well, I hope you like lasagna, my mom found out I was coming here to work on the fundraiser with you, and she insisted on making us dinner.”
“She actually made us a whole lasagna for you to bring here?”
“She did, plus garlic bread.”
“I love your mom,” I say, laughing.
I preheat the oven, and in the meantime, we sit at my tiny little table that seems to fit us both perfectly.
After eating, we clean up, and he pulls out his computer and notebook.
He is wearing a plaid pullover jacket over his black t-shirt.
He takes off his jacket, and all I see is a sleeve of tattoos.
I can’t stop staring. How does he make a basic black t-shirt and jeans look so good?
Don’t even get me started on his tattoos.
I don’t want to stare too long so every time I get a chance to look, I glance at a different spot to take it all in.
He must really like being outside. So far in my silent tattoo journey of Everett’s arm, I have seen some flowers, mountains, and trees with some birds flying in the sky.
“Ok, two months to plan everything? Which should be enough time to get the local businesses involved. Hopefully, they will want to donate something for the silent auction.”
He seems a little nervous.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’ve heard some rumblings and opinions about being back.”
Waving my hand and saying, “I’ve heard the same small-town gossip.
They just need to get to know you again.
You can’t judge someone by who they were twenty years ago without getting to know them for who they are now.
I can visit the stores and explain what we are doing and see if they want to donate or help in any way.
I have a good standing here, so I am going to use that to our advantage.
Plus, it gives me a chance to talk about how much time and energy you’re putting into the theater.
I’ll talk you up a bit. Maybe that will get some people to look at you in a more positive light. ”
“You don’t have to… but do you think that could work?”
I’m getting more and more excited about the event when I answer, “Sure it will! I could have a coffee station there for refreshments and treats, with all proceeds going to the theater.”
“You would do that? You do have the best coffee around.”
I blush at the compliment.
I don’t know why I can’t stop talking. “I always wanted to be the coffee shop that everyone loves.”
As the conversation moves on, I continue, “We should make sure there’s something there for kids, like a petting zoo, a balloon artist, or something.”
It’s like my excitement is infectious; he meets my energy, adding, “Our family is good friends with the Brocks. They live in the next town over and have a whole lot of animals. I am sure they would bring some animals for a petting zoo. I’ll call them tomorrow and ask!
” Everett taps his keys, making a note on his laptop.
“That sounds great, the kids would love that,” I say, taking a sip of my coffee.
I’ve seen Everett around town a lot since he’s been back. He has always been the guy who left, but now he seems to be the guy who shows up.
Maggie was in the hardware store buying lightbulbs the other day, and Everett was there too. He dropped what he was doing, went to her house, and changed them for her.
Then the older couple that comes into the coffee shop every morning, Bill and Sarah, mentioned that they needed someone to help them with a few tasks around the house. I told Everett, and he went over the very next day.
He has also shown up to the theater every day, and now he has taken detailed notes for the fundraiser. He cares. He’s not the guy everyone thinks he is.
“Well, I’d love to stay and chat longer, but it’s getting late, and I have to be up early again to get some work done. Maybe we should exchange numbers so we can keep each other updated on the fundraiser,” he suggests, packing up his computer.
“Ya, that sounds good,” I say, handing him my phone.
As he is putting his number into my phone, I look up at him. “The town is going to love the theater. People love things with character.”
“I sure hope so,” he says, handing my phone back.
Everett is already halfway to the door when I speak without thinking.
“I’m going out tomorrow night,” I blurt.
Everett pauses and turns around to look at me.
“With Lily and my other sisters. If you don’t have plans, you could meet us…if you want?”
As soon as I said it, I wanted to take it back, not because I didn’t want him to come, I did, but I didn’t want to seem too excited.
“Yeah, I’d like that. I’ll bring Henry.”
Half panic, half anticipation, my chest tightens, and I hold back a smile.
“Great, see you tomorrow night, well, I’ll be bringing you your coffee in the afternoon, like always.”
He grins and walks out the door.
I head over to my couch and sit down, pulling my favorite throw blanket on top of me. I shouldn’t have invited him, but I also can’t remember the last time I was this thrilled.