After checking that nothing had fallen out of my bags, I continued on homewards.It didn't take long before the antique shop came into view and while I had fridge stuff in my bags, a quick stop wasn't going to cause problems.I wanted to say hi to Faye and hope it would lift my mood because so far, today had been pretty frustrating.
I paused in front of the window and checked my reflection, pushing some of my sweaty hair out of my face before I went into the shop.The bell clattered and caused movement behind the bead curtain.
"Hello, welcome to Li's antique shop!"a familiar voice called out before Mrs Li appeared from the storage room."Oh, Cassie.Hello!"
I froze on the spot.I hadn't considered that I might run into one of Faye's family members instead of her.Seeing Mrs Li shouldn't be awkward, I'd known her for years.Perhaps that was exactly what made it awkward because this was the first time I'd seen her since I got together with Faye.
"Hi, Mrs Li," I said, still holding onto my grocery bags."How are you today?"
"Not too bad, not too bad.I was bummed that I couldn't go on the cruise but we've got great weather now so I can't complain," she answered, sounding just like usual.
Maybe Faye hadn't told them yet.
"Do you have any plans to take advantage of the good weather?"I asked, wondering if I should text Faye that I was here.
Mrs Li chuckled."Yes, mahjong and cocktails later.Mahjong is good for the mind and cocktails are good for the soul."
I knew someone else who would've said that."I see how you and Gran are such good friends."
"Yes, we certainly are."There was a knowing tone in her voice."And you and my granddaughter are good friends too, huh?"
My brain glitched."Umm...Yes, we are?"It came out as a question because I didn't want to be the one to inform Li about our new relationship.That was a conversation for Faye, but that didn't stop the unpleasant taste of calling Faye agood friend.At the very least, we werebestfriends.
A sly expression came onto Mrs Li's face, one that made the laughing lines next to her eyes appear."You crack me up.Relax.I already know about you and Faye."
"Oh, good."I let out a sigh of relief but I shouldn't have let my guard down.
Mrs Li's gaze bore into me."I've known there was something special between you two for years.Faye has never talked about anyone the way she talks about you."
Even though she was saying positives, a wisp of dread flickered up in me."Okay?"
"Faye is a sweet, kind, and generous girl.She loves hard and her love lasts long."Mrs Li's voice dropped into a cooler register."You're not going to hurt my granddaughter again, are you?"
I felt my stomach sink and it took everything I had not to wither from the fierce protective stare of Faye's grandmother.She clearly knew that Faye had been in love with me before I left and how that ended.
I forced my shoulders back, drawing strength from my gut."I have no intention of hurting Faye.I care for her and I am here to stay."
The silence grew heavy in the antique shop, only broken by the cacophony of multiple old clocks ticking away.It was oppressive but I had to endure it.If I couldn't owe up to the hurt I caused, even inadvertently, then I didn't deserve to go after Faye's heart.
Finally, Mrs Li's gaze softened."Then I'm happy for you two."
My body relaxed so much, my knees felt like they might give out."Thank you."
She nodded."Before you ask, my granddaughter is out to deliver a parcel so she's not here."
"Oh, that's alright.I don't have much time anyway, I need to get my shopping back to the coffee house," I said, picking up my bags and seizing the opportunity to make a run for it.I hadn't expected to get the talk from Faye's grandmother so it had certainly taken me off guard and off kilter.
Mrs Li looked stern for one more moment before her face slipped back into the usual warm smile she had for me."It was good to see you, Cassie.Good talk.Come again for dumpling day soon, okay?"
I nodded, still feeling tense."I definitely will, thank you.Take care."
I couldn't get out of the antique shop fast enough and the oppressive heat felt like a gentle embrace now after that conversation.It was going to take me a good moment to recompose myself because that meeting with Mrs Li really knocked the wind out of me.
SEVENTEEN
I tooka sip from my cup of tea, enjoying the serenity of the kitchen and the falling evening light.It was quiet without Gran and Betty but not in a bad way.There were traces of them all around the flat and I had a long message chain with updates of their holiday in my phone.
It was interesting how someone so far away could still feel close when my life with Agatha had been the exact opposite.We lived together, worked together, shared the same bed, and there were many times where it felt she was as far away as Mars.Back then, I thought it was normal to feel like that.Even Gran had felt distant from me during that time.
