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“Definitely not as busy as yours,” I offered with a chuckle. “I had breakfast with Dennis and talked to my parents. They are planning to come up sooner.”
“What do you mean?” She turned onto Main Street, asking, “Do you mind if I swing by Firehouse Café? I could use some coffee.”
“Not at all. I’ll get one myself. We should get something for Gram. She loves their hot chocolate.”
“Perfect. Anyway, back to your parents. They’re coming to visit?”
“Yeah. They were planning to come to visit no matter what for a little bit because…” I paused.
Alice filled in, “Bea is sick?”
“Exactly. They want to stay until she passes.”
“It’s really nice they can do that,” she said, her tone soft.
“It is. My dad is a professor, and he can work online. My mom’s retired from teaching. They decided to bump their arrival up when they heard she went to the hospital.”
Alice turned into the parking area at Firehouse Café, and we walked in a moment later. “Where will they stay?” she asked when we stopped at the back of the line.
“That’s a good question. Gram’s place isn’t that big.”
“Is her house where your dad grew up?” Alice asked as we waited.
“No. She had a bigger house with my grandfather, who passed when I was little.”
“I don’t even remember him,” she said.
“He died when I was little, massive heart attack back in the days when they couldn’t make people live forever,” I explained.
“I’m sorry,” Alice said quietly.
We stepped forward with the line as I replied, “Thank you. It’s been a long time. After that, she decided to downsize, and that’s when she bought the house where she lives and the cabin. She’s been renting out the B&B for years.”
“It’s weird how people have lives before you know them, and it feels like what you knew was how it always was. All I remember is her being next door. It’s like she’s been there forever.” She paused, glancing ahead. “Oh, it’s us!” She bounced forward to the front of the line.
Janet was waiting behind the counter and smiled at us. “How’s the knee?” she asked by way of greeting.
“How do you know about my knee?” I countered.
Janet grinned. “I know almost everything, plus Nate was just here and told me he dropped you off. He should’ve brought you here.”
I chuckled. “Alice is taking me to pick up Gram. We’re getting coffee and whatever Gram’s favorite hot chocolate is.”
“The peppermint,” Janet said firmly. “And I don’t have your usuals memorized. What can I get for you?”
“I’ll just take the house coffee. It’s plenty strong,” I said.
“I’ll take an Americano with a little bit of cream,” Alice offered.
She reached to open her purse, and I slipped my wallet out of my pocket quickly. “This one’s on me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. You gave me a ride home yesterday, and you’re helping me pick up Gram tonight. This is the least I can do.”
Janet grinned as she prepped our coffees. “How is Bea?” she asked.
“Good, I think. I talked to her today on the phone. She was annoyed they didn’t let her loose this morning.”
