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Angie studied her for a moment longer, neither smiling nor frowning. "Ill tell you what," she finally said. "You sit down at this table, have something to eat, and then well talk. "
"Im not hungry," she said, just as her stomach grumbled.
Angie smiled gently. Lauren felt wounded by that smile somehow. "Eat dinner. Then well talk. "
ANGIE FOUND MIRA STANDING OUTSIDE THE BACK door, sipping cappuccino, both her hands curled around the porcelain mug. Steam mingled with her breath and formed a mist in front of her face. "Winter is going to come early this year," she said as Angie sidled up beside her.
"I used to hide out here as soon as it was time to do dishes," Angie said, smiling at the memory. She could almost hear Papas booming voice come through the brick walls.
"Like I didnt know that. " Mira laughed.
Angie moved a little closer, until they were shoulder to shoulder, both of them leaning against the rough wall that contained so much of their lives. They stared out at the empty parking lot. Beyond it, the street was a silvery ribbon in the darkening night. Far away, seen in slivers between the houses and trees, was the blue-gray ocean. "Remember that list Livvy helped me come up with?"
"The DeSaria destruction list, as Mama called it? How could I forget?"
"I think Im going to make the first change. "
"Which one?"
"I found a new waitress. A high school girl. I think she could work some nights and weekends. "
Mira turned to her. "Mamas going to let you hire a high school girl?"
Angie winced. "A problem, huh?"
"Mama will have a cow; you know that. Tell me the girl is Italian at least. "
"Dont think so. "
Mira grinned. "This is going to be fun. "
"Knock it off. Be serious. Is it a good idea to hire a new waitress?"
"Yes. Rosa is too slow to handle any more business. I guess if youre going to make some changes around here, this is a good place to start. How did you find her? Employment office?"
Angie bit her lip and looked down at the gravel.
"Angie?" This time Mira wasnt smiling. There was concern in her voice.
"I saw her at Help-Your-Neighbor when I went to volunteer. She was there, asking for a winter coat for her mother. Thats how I got the idea for the coat drive. "
"So you bought her a coat. "
"You said I should help people. "
"And offered her a job. "
Angie sighed. She heard the mistrust in her sisters voice and she understood. Everyone thought Angie was so easily victimized. It was because of Sarah Dekker. When theyd been set to adopt her baby, Angie and Conlan had opened their hearts and home to the troubled teenager.
"You have so much love to give," Mira said finally. "It must hurt to hold it in all the time. "
The words had tiny barbs that sank into her skin. "Is that what its all about? Shit. I thought I was just hiring a kid to serve food on weekends. "
"Maybe Im wrong. Overreacting. "
"And maybe I dont make the best choices. "
"Dont go there, Ange," Mira said softly. "Im sorry I brought it up. I worry too much. Thats the problem with family. But youre right to hire a new waitress. Mama will simply have to understand. "
