AVERY
Idon’t know why I’m so nervous. Today isn’t even the day people are coming to the coffee shop, and I’m already a wreck.
It’s been a steady flow of people without the focus of the event since we’re on the schedule for Sunday morning. I’m grateful for all the little things we’ve done to change this business. We’ve had a lot of sales in just the last hour, especially of the breakfast sandwiches, and I’ve heard a lot of compliments about them, which gets my mind going about other options. It would be fun to have a rotating menu so there’s not always the same thing, but we’ll have to see how it goes.
We work for several more hours, serving more people than before, which already shows that our process can use some work. But at least Second Tide Coffee is at this point.
The shop is clean and ready for tomorrow when I lock up to enjoy the other activities offered today.
Lila is practically jumping up and down. “I can’t believe they’re letting us go on the go-karts for free.”
Ashley stands next to her with a much more subdued level of excitement.
“I think it’s pretty cool too,” I say, walking over.
We have to sign a form to allow Lila to go on the go-karts, but I’m okay with that, and I’m sure Cora wouldn’t mind either. She called to say she made it to her destination, which is Denver, or Detroit, or Des Moines. Who knows at this point?
“I just need to sign the paper for her,” I say, pointing to Lila once we get up to the main desk.
“Okay, what’s your name?” the woman asks.
“I’m Avery Parker, and this is Lila Marymount. The girl next to her is Ashley Turner.”
“Got it. I just need you to sign here for the three of you.”
I wave my hands quickly. “Oh, no. This isn’t for me.”
“Why not?” she asks. “Now’s a good time for us to test out everybody, and it’s part of the fun for today.”
I hesitate, glancing over at the line of people waiting for the go-karts. As much as I love people, I don’t know if I’m going to survive this weekend with my nerves already shot, worried about how Second Tide Coffee will be received.
“Come on, Aunt Avery. You’ll do awesome,” Lila says. “You can try to school me, although I don’t think you’ll beat me in this kind of race.”
I laugh. “Are you kidding me? I’ve been driving way longer than you’ve been alive.” Then I think through the math and remember I was only thirteen when she was born. “Okay, that’s not really true, but close enough.”
“That means we need to battle, so sign it for us,” Lila says with a grin.
I sigh and pick up the pen, scribbling my signature on the page.
“What do we have here?” a voice asks from behind us.
I turn to find Max’s friend grinning at me with Max just a few feet behind him. Max looks up and smiles, sending my stomach into a full flip.
“I don’t believe I’ve actually met you,” his friend says, holding out his hand to me. “I’m Aiden Pearson.”
“Avery Parker. Looks like we have the same initials.”
“Are you racing?” Aiden asks.
“Yeah, they convinced me to try it.” I hand the pen back to the woman at the table. I want to say her name is Brenda, but it’s been too long to ask. “Are you guys racing as well?”
“Absolutely,” Aiden says, elbowing Max in the shoulder.
“I like it better when you’re not in Penrose Beach,” Max says dryly.
Aiden gives a dramatic look of hurt. “What do you mean? I’m always fun.”
Max looks at me as if searching for someone else to commiserate with. I can most certainly be that person.
