“I suppose one or two of them could help,” Mimi muttered. “But they’reawfullybusy.”
Riley pressed her fingertip against her temple, feeling her pulse throb. She had vowed not to return to Maple Falls until she made it big in New York—or at least could say she wasn’t living from hand to mouth, and she was barely doing that. She knew the Bosom Buddies wouldn’t hesitate to help her grandmother if Mimi asked. Most of the seven women had been friends since grade school, except for two who had been folded into the group over the years.
“I...”
She turned and looked at Melody, whose thin brown arms were crossed over her chest, her dark eyes peering over bright-green square glasses. Riley knew that reproving look, and she didn’t like being on the receiving end of it.
In truth she didn’t need Melody to prod her. Riley couldn’t refuse the woman who had practically raised her after her mother abandoned Riley for God knew where. If Mimi needed her, Riley would be there—just like Mimi had always been there for her.
“I’ll get the next flight out,” Riley said, holding back a sigh. The expense would almost max out her one credit card, but she’d worry about that later.
“Oh, Riley, thank you! Thank you!” Mimi gushed. “I can’t tell you how much this means to me. I know the shop will be in good hands with you while I recuperate. I won’t keep you. Once you’ve made your reservation, text me your flight info, and I’ll have someone pick you up from the airport.”
“I’ll just get an Uber,” Riley said.
“Nonsense. The airport is over an hour away. That would cost way too much money. Don’t you worry, sugar. I’ll make all the arrangements to get you back home.”
Home? Maple Falls had never felt like home.
“Love you, sweetie,” Mimi added before Riley could say anything else. “Talk to you soon!”
She stared at the phone after Mimi hung up. A few seconds later, she glanced at Melody, who had sat back down on their lumpy, secondhand couch and was now grinning at her.
“I knew you wouldn’t let her down.”
Riley trudged over to the couch and sank onto it again, her phone still in her hand. She continued staring at the black screen. “I don’t know about this.”
“What’s the big deal? You’re taking care of Mimi, who means a lot to you.”
“But that also means going back to Maple Falls.”
“So? You’re overdue for a visit home, Riley. I’ve been back to Minnesota three times this year alone. When was the last time you were in Arkansas?”
Nearly ten years ago, when she first moved to New York. She wasn’t about to tell Melody that. The two of them had become good friends over the last two years since they became roommates. But there were things Riley didn’t want to share with her—or anyone else, for that matter. Like her reasons for staying away from Maple Falls.
Shifting the subject, she said, “You’re right. I need to focus on taking care of Mimi. That’s what matters. I’ll make sure she’s following doctor’s orders.” She smirked as she set her phone on the coffee table. “She has a tendency to think she’s invincible.”
“No way.” Melody chuckled. “Imagine that.”
“I can’t believe she slid into third base,” Riley said. “Or that she is even playing softball at her age. Then again, Mimi has been in sports all her life. She and Myrtle were on the first girls’ softball team in Maple Falls, and they were both excellent. She still plays tennis with Gwen too.” Riley looked at her slightly pudgy tummy, the result of cheap food, a few too many glasses of wine alone in her apartment, and more than a little stress. She didn’t doubt her grandmother was in better shape at seventy-two than Riley was right now.
“I had no idea Erma was so athletic,” Melody said.
“I shouldn’t be surprised she’s on the team. Well, maybe a little because of her age. Whoever is coaching ought to be smacked upside the head for letting her do something so ridiculous.”
“You think they could have stopped her?”
“They could have stalled her at second.” Riley shook her head and turned to her friend. “Anyway, what’s done is done. I’m heading back to Arkansas.” A sour lump formed in her stomach at the thought. She would have to quit her job and cancel her upcoming “show.” “Don’t worry about rent, Melody. I’ll still pay my share.”Somehow.
Melody nodded. “Any idea how long you’ll be gone?”
Riley shrugged. “Depends on how fast Mimi’s leg heals, I guess. I’ll be back as soon as I can, but it could be a while.”
Nodding, Melody adjusted her headband, seemingly deep in thought. After a pause, she said, “Would you mind subletting to Charlie?”
“The guy in your acting class?”
“Yeah. He’s been couch surfing for the past two months after a bad experience with his last roommate. He’s looking for a place to land until he can find something more permanent.”
