Page 11 of Key West Homecoming

“Family. My grandmother had a place here. It’s been a long time since I visited.”

Leah’s expression softened. “Had?”

“She passed a little over a year ago.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you.”

“What was her name? Maybe Connie knew her. Tess and I are relatively new to Key West, but Connie’s been running this bar for more than thirty years. She remembers everybody who ever came through the door.”

Emma set her glass down. “Gloria Kendrick.”

Leah’s eyes shifted to the back of the bar, then came back to Emma. “Give me a second.”

She walked down to the end of the counter, and Emma watched her lean close to Connie and say something Emma couldn’t hear. Connie set down whatever she was working on and looked up in Emma’s direction. Then she wiped her hands on a bar towel, said something to Leah, and walked toward Emma.

Emma sat up a little straighter without thinking about it.

Connie stopped across the bar from her. Up close, her eyes were pale blue. She took her time before she spoke.

“You’re Gloria’s granddaughter?” she asked.

“Emma, yes.”

“I’m Connie. Sorry to hear she’s passed. I knew your grandmother a little.”

“Thank you. Leah said you might have.”

“I didn’t know her well, mind you. She used to come in on weekend visits from Miami. Sat at that corner table over there.” Connie tipped her head toward a two-top by the window. Ordered a French dip and a glass of red wine. It was the same every time. Nice woman. Quiet. Kind eyes.”

Emma put her glass down. “You remember what she ordered?”

Connie smiled. “It’s something I’m proud of. I remember what the regulars’ orders.”

“Thank you for telling me.”

“Hadn’t seen her in a while, though. Four years, maybe. Something like that. Before she stopped coming she’d bring a fellow with her. Older gentleman, well spoken. He’d read to her right there at the table. Books, out loud, in a quiet voice. Not many men do that. She was well cared for, in case you were wondering.”

None of what Connie said was anything Emma had expected. She’d had phone calls with her grandmother but not once had she ever mentioned there was a man in her life.

“I had wondered that, actually so thank you for telling me,” she said.

Connie nodded, “You’re staying in town a while?”

“A few days, maybe longer.”

“Then you’ll be back in.”

“Count on it.”

Connie picked up her bar towel and moved back down the counter.

Tess pushed back through the swinging door with a plate of fritters and a small, tossed salad. She set them in front of Emma. “Ketchup, tartar, or key lime aioli? I know it’s a trick question so here’s all three.” She set down three little cups.

“Thank you.”

Emma ate slowly, enjoying every bite. The fritters were as good as advertised. She hadn’t felt taken care of by strangers before and was surprised to find she didn’t know how to react to all the attention. When she was most of the way through her food, Tess drifted back over and leaned on the bar across from her.