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Caroline stood up and took a deep breath. She held two custom patterns in her hands. Looking between them, she was undecided and caught. Claudia was about to step in and assist her when Carolyn decided to answer Jillian.
“Renting office space is not public information.”
“I know that Carolyn. If it were public information I would just go to the courthouse. Now this is a small town, and we have to lookout for each other. So, who is renting Isley’s old building?” Jillian asked with a bit more pushiness than Claudia had ever heard her with before.
“I’m sorry, I can’t say. Can I get help getting something for my grand or should I go to another place?” Caroline challenged.
Jillian shrugged.
“Small businesses stick together if they don’t realize that, then they won’t be in business long here anyway. I’ll show you some made items if you need them right away.”
Caroline nodded and Jillian went to get some items and then turned to Claudia.
“I hope you aren’t going to ask me the same thing?” Caroline pleaded.
“No, I’m not.”
Claudia could see the relief on Carolines’ face.
“Good because I actually wanted to ask you a favor.”
Claudia was curious and nodded for Caroline to go on.
“Jess is Mark’s only daughter and she’s coming to town pregnant. I would like for her to see a better part of Cooper Sand’s from a young person’s point of view. Maybe you could tell her what has been good for you here.”
“It’s odd you ask me Caroline. You are the authority on all things in the town.”
Caroline gave Claudia a sad smile.
“Normally you would be right. However, I have come to find that no child or stepchild wants to be shown around town by their stepmother. I think the words the kids say is that that is a real killjoy.”
Claudia listened to what Carolyn said. Claudia had lived in a big city once and now the only memories she had were of it being so busy. Sometimes she missed the activity. You could find something going on at any time of night. Then Claudia remember that with that activity had come a life of secret abuse.
“I will do my best to show her the best of Cooper’s Sand, but I have to tell you that people come to the town for all sorts of reasons. If she is looking for a life with a child, she’ll find it but if she is just wants to bide time until it’s time to leave, I don’t think any of us will be able to help,” Claudia confessed.
Claudia felt bad for Caroline. She could see the fear in Caroline’s face. Claudia was no stranger to fear. Maybe she had a reason to be afraid. Claudia had not heard a lot of good things about Jess. It seemed as though Jess knew her father had always loved Caroline and the marriage between Jess and her parents had never really been given a chance. Just had been the center of her father’s love and affection. The rumor was that Jess was a spoiled brat who had gotten whatever she wanted because her father was guilt ridden over the failed marriage.
Now Jess was a mother and Caroline a stepmother. Claudia didn’t want to be the bringer of bad news, but she didn’t see this being a happy reunion. Too much had to be talked about and too much had probably gone unsaid. That was one of the first things she had discovered while she was in therapy. You had to talk about an issue and name it before you could get rid of it and then turn it from a weakness to a lesson.
Another customer came in and caught Jillian. While she was talking with another customer Carolyn slipped out of the store. When Jillian had finished ringing up the customer she came back to Claudia.
“Did she tell you anything?” Jillian asked.
“No Jillian she didn’t say anything that she hadn’t already said.”
“Well then I hope she doesn’t come back in here until she has some news she can share,” Jillian said affronted.
“Maybe it doesn’t matter. In due time we’ll find out anyway,” Claudia said.
“Well, that doesn’t seem very right at all. I mean we are neighbors with the store we should know first. Besides the only time people don’t want to tell you what’s coming is when it is something nobody wants.”
Claudia listened to Jillian and chuckled to herself.
“Jillian this town is so small that is something of ill repute should happen to be built there I’m sure everybody would vote to close it right away.”
Jillian sniffed.
“This is just one more sign that Caroline isn’t as focused on her job as she should be. At this rate I’ll have to go and ask the new guy who came in who’s acting as the town manager.”
