“That’s obvious. I want to know why.”
“It’s not just us in this,” I said. “I’m afraid we’ve given Annie something to hope for that might not happen. I feel like everything was going too fast, and Annie … I can’t hurt her.”
“Your solution is to withdraw slowly? Boil the frog?” Delphine looked straight at me, without blinking. I imagined her as an attorney on a television show set in a courtroom—that calm but deadly stillness, directed toward a witness. Only this was real. She had her gaze focused on me, and she wanted answers.
“I’m just erring on the side of caution,” I said. “Because I’m not totally certain how I feel. That’s all.”
For just a split second, I saw the hurt flash across her face. But just for a second. She masked it almost immediately with a frigid smile. “Right. I’ll say this plainly. I don’t do anything half way. To me, it’s a choice. Either in or out. And it’s obvious which way you’re leaning. All good. And don’t worry about Annie. She has me. Just as she always has. You’re not responsible for her, so don’t worry another moment about that. I should be going. I’ll bring Poe back to the store at my earliest opportunity.”
“No, he belongs with you.”
“You’re right. He didn’t have any problem making up his mind about who he wanted to be with.” She walked to the door and turned back to look at me. “The summer’s been a little busy for Annie, what with soccer and all, so this will be her last day. I hope that doesn’t inconvenience you too much.”
Then she was gone, the door clicking shut behind her. For a moment, I sat there, stunned. That had not gone well. What had I expected? My avoidance just accepted? Not from Delphine Delacroix. I’d hurt her, and that had pushed her back into emotional exile. The very thing I’d wanted to avoid. And now Annie would have to give up her job here, which I knew she loved.
Could I mess this up any worse?
I got up and went out to the shop floor, hoping to catch Annie before she left. She was with Delphine by the front display window, nodding her head while looking at her shoes.
Annie untied her apron and folded it into a tidy square, then walked over to me and looked me in the eye just as her mother had. But this was different. Annie wasn’t masking anything. She was pale under her tan, her eyes dimmed from their usual brightness. There was a hitch in her voice when she said, “Thanks for the opportunity. It was great.”
Delphine had already left the shop. She was visible through the window, looking at her phone, typing furiously. I was dismissed.
“The job’s always here if you want one,” I said.
“We both know that’s not true,” Annie said. “But thanks anyway.”
“Have a good rest of the summer,” I said, lamely.
“Will do.” Annie turned to leave, hesitating for a moment, as if she wanted to say something else, but, in the end, she walked away, joining her mother outside. She took her mother’s arm and they headed down the sidewalk until they were out of view.
The shop was empty of customers and cats and the two people who made the place light up.
Theo came in the back door, ready to take over for the evening. “Hey, boss, everything good?”
“Yes, all good here. Busy day. We’re having a great summer.”
“Cool. Good time to ask for a raise?” Theo asked.
“Can we talk about it later?”
“Sure thing. I’ll keep reminding you.”
I’m sure he would.
I finishedup in my office, putting the photos into an envelope for Luci. I’d promised her the photo sooner than later. Maybe I would just head up there now and give her what I found. Not just the baby photo, but all the others she might not have ever seen. She’d want them. I’d promised her. So yes, I would head north to drop them off. It would give me something to do.
An hour later, Mark answered the door in an apron. “Dorian? You okay?”
“Yes, I have some photos for Luci. I’m realizing I should have called.”
“It’s no problem at all. I’m sure Luci will be thrilled with whatever you brought. Come in. Are you hungry? We had homemade pizza, and there’s some left.”
“No, I’m good, but thank you.” The house smelled of garlic and tomato sauce and yeasty bread. Homemade pizza. Annie would love to make homemade pizzas. So would I.
The girls came pounding down the stairs at the sound of my voice.
“Uncle Dorian, what are you doing here?” Maria asked, looking up at me before hugging my legs.
