AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We haven’t gotten to spend the night together since then. I know she needed time. I would have understood if she wanted nothing to do with me considering the circumstances and how new everything is between us. But instead of splitting us apart, it’s brought us closer.
As I get to work in my kitchen, I wish she was here with me. But this is my treat for her. She’s working later than usual today because it’s The Grays Ferry Triangle Block Party.
It’s a small neighborhood event, but it’s been an annual thing for several years. Local musicians play music in the park. The bars set up beer gardens. Food trucks set up in the street. It’s a good chance for the bakery to get some extra business.
The cooking distracts me for a bit. Around 6:30 p.m., I’m ready to put the lasagna in the oven. The block party was set to go until 5, so Caroline may have had enough time to clean up the shop by now. She might be on her way home to get ready. I call her to see how things are going.
No answer. Voicemail. Maybe she’s in the shower?
I wait ten more minutes. She hasn’t called back. I try again. No answer.
I’m starting to worry. This doesn’t feel right. It could be nothing, but my gut tells me it isn’t.
I call Jake. He’s on shift to watch the bakery again tonight. No answer there either.Fuck.
I text Jake, “Status report?”
I may be overreacting, but I have to go make sure everything’s okay. I take off my apron, turn off the oven, and grab my shoes, jacket, and gun. I rush down to the garage, hoping one of them will call or text me back.
15
CAROLINE
Today was a good day.The block party went really well, but I’m glad it’s over. After this extra-long day, I’m looking forward to a quiet dinner at Raf’s. I finally feel like I can allow myself to be with him again.
He’s been so supportive. When I decided to come home, my only thought was to take care of Aunt Lisa, and hopefully my uncle, too. I never really considered that I might need someone to lean on, but now that Raf has become that person, I can’t imagine going through this without him. He’s been there when I need him and, even more than that, in the way that I need him. I would never have guessed from our first meeting how comforting his presence could be.
I still get upset about losing my uncle. It hasn’t gotten easier. I’m just getting used to it. I don’t expect that sadness to go away. I just feel like that sadness is willing to share space with other emotions.
Allen would want me to be happy. He’d want me to do what I want to do. I know he didn’t leave me the bakery so I’dhaveto run it. He wanted me to have the choice.
I’m so fond of this place and all the memories it holds, the obvious love my uncle put into it. I see his handwriting on notes around the office and on the chalkboard menu on the wall, feel his imprint in the chair when I sit down to plan the day. I’m not ready to let it go. The neighborhood is changing and now I know I want to be a part of shaping its future. It makes me happy, and I know that would mean as much to him as it does to me.
The block party ran a little bit over. Music didn’t stop playing until after 5:30. Food trucks started packing up around that time too. We still had customers coming in, but we sold out of everything soon after that.
By around 6, the block has quieted down. Nearly everyone has left, except for a few people packing up one of the beer gardens. Anyone coming out to the bars probably won’t be around for a few hours.
I send everyone else home. They’ve had a very long day and already stayed well past their usual shifts. There’s a lot left to do before I can leave, but if I hurry, I can get it done quickly so I can meet Raf for dinner. I could leave some things until tomorrow morning, but I’m hoping to stay with him tonight. I don’t want to make him get up any earlier than necessary in the morning.
I rush through the day’s receipts and calculations before moving on to clean up the back. I’m focused on getting the work done, but also daydreaming about being with Raf tonight. I’m barely aware of my surroundings.
Until I hear glass smash in the front of the bakery. I freeze in place. Unfortunately, I already know that exact sound. I hear the familiar crunch of footsteps on broken glass.
I know who it is even before I see him in the doorway to the back room. It’s Nevan Kelly.
I’m still paralyzed, not knowing what to do.
He glances around the room. He already knows I’m alone. I’m sure he watched me lock the door after everyone left. “We have unfinished business.”
I’m speechless. I know Raf has someone on duty. I’m just hoping they’ll come in any second now.
Nevan walks closer toward me. I take a couple steps back, bumping up against the table.
“It’s time to pay up.”
He walks right up to me. We’re face-to-face again. I’m frozen with fear, enveloped by the odor of stale cigarettes the surrounds him. Why isn’t anyone coming to help?
“I-I don’t have any money.” It’s all I can think of saying.
