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The day Mommawas released from the hospital was a big deal.Katie, Mary, and Timmy made a ginormous “Thank You” card for the staff.Timmy personalized the card with drawings and colorful paints.Turned out, the kid had real talent.Everyone thought he did a great job, and the nurses couldn’t stop admiring it and fussing over him.Chase was there, too, helping to get Momma in the car and driving her home.
They told Momma it was important to keep moving.She was going to rely on her walker during recovery—it could take several months for her hip to heal.She would need help with her daily activities, including getting dressed, cooking, bathing, and going to the bathroom.
Katie had moved back into her room, staying with Momma to help her.She’d turned in her resignation, in writing, the day she quit.She’d swapped the hectic, cutthroat life in the big city for the slow-paced, idyllic life in her hometown.
She settled into a new routine.She started cooking more, too, using healthy, fresh foods.Usually, dinner was set for a table of three for her, Momma, and Mary.On Sundays, Jim, Chase, and Timmy joined them for supper, and it was a full table of six.
Katie had hired someone to assist Momma on Friday nights, and as needed during the week when she had to run errands or take care of business.Momma was gradually getting better, but it was a slow process.She was determined to keep doing what the doctors ordered and stay active.
Friday night was date night—Katie’s night off.Often, it was just her and Chase, but some nights, Mary and Jim joined them.They’d all see a movie and go out to dinner afterward.It was a lot of fun.They cracked jokes, and Jim’s playacting of scenes from the movies they’d just seen brought on fits of uncontrollable laughter.He was a good sport, and he had a deadpan face perfect for his comedic acting.And it was on one of these nights when they were sitting at the diner, in-between the silliness, that things got serious.
It was Mary who started it by asking Katie what her plans were after Momma recovered well enough to be on her own.Was she going to stay in town?She had blushed, being put on the spot.But her sister had meant well, and Katie had been pondering this.Ideas had been swirling in her mind.It was time to put it out there, among family and friends.
“You’re right,” she said.“I’ve been thinking about this.”
Katie reached for a clean napkin and dug up a black ink pen from her purse.
She scribbled on the napkin.“Here are a few ideas running through my mind,” she said, and passed it around.
“You want to start a business.These are the ones you’re considering?”Chase asked, scrutinizing the words.
“Yes, my initial thoughts, but I’d welcome input and suggestions.”
Mary picked up the napkin.“So, I see cookie store, coffee shop, jewelry store, and craft shop.The first three are clear, but what’s your thinking about the craft shop?”
“I envisioned this place with three parts.One part is a specialty store selling merchandise and cool items that other stores aren’t carrying.Maybe I could start with just art sundries, special art items, coloring books, craft kits, scrapbooking supplies, stickers, et cetera.You get the idea.The second part is teaching, so we could have a classroom.If we need specific supplies for a class, the store can order it.The last part is to showcase talented artists of all ages, whether they are children or adults, even seniors.”She sat back and glanced around the table.“What do you think?”
“I like it.It’d be an asset to the community,” Chase said.
“I can’t see you in the cookie shop.”Mary frowned.
“What about the coffee shop?”Katie followed up.
“That’s a possibility.But we have several dining options that serve coffee.Would there be a need for just coffee?”Mary paused.“Would you be considering a franchise?”
She shook her head.“No, I don’t want to do that.”
“How about combining the jewelry store and the craft shop?”Jim asked.
“That’s an interesting suggestion,” Katie said.“I can start small at first, and expand later.I’d have to draft up a business plan and run numbers on the costs.Thanks, guys, you’ve been really helpful.”
Chase cleared his throat.“What about a name?”
Katie leaned back in her chair as a smile lit across her face.“It’ll be Timmy’s Place.”
