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Cricket’s eyes rolled upwards, and the corner of her mouth twitched into a sly smile. “Your neighbor loved it,” she said as she carefully set one cup on the counter. “You can’t judge something until you’ve tasted it.”
Charlotte shook her head and stared at the cup. “My neighbor threw it up along with his breakfast shortly after he visited.”
Cricket chuckled. “I bet you told him I gave him cat shit,” she replied knowingly.
Charlotte couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s comment. “Well, you did,” she said before taking a sip from the cup Cricket had handed her. The smell of chicory filled her nose and caused her to sigh in pleasure and relief.
“It’s not like they raid litter boxes. It’s the undigested beans they find in the wild, and they’ve been treated to be safe,” Cricket said. “That poor man didn’t get sick from my coffee but from stress. Rumor has it Chloe asked him to raise Ivy.”
Charlotte’s jaw dropped. “She wants him to raise Ivy?”
Cricket shrugged. “Yeah. I guess Chloe was close to Bastien, and Ivy loves him, so Chloe thought it would be best if he could take care of her.”
Charlotte shook her head in disbelief. She knew little about Bastien, but he appeared out of his element. But he also seemed like the kind of person who would do anything for Ivy. “It must be hard for him,” she said, thinking about the heartbreaking situation of losing a sister and gaining a child.
“It would be difficult for anyone,” Cricket said.
Charlotte had little experience with children, but at least she’d been around them. She had babysat before. But she also knew that having a child full-time was more than just childcare; it was parenting an individual and taking on all the responsibilities that came with it. Taking care of Ivy would be a massive undertaking for Bastien.
“It’s amazing,” Cricket said in admiration, “that he’s willing to take on such responsibility even though he has no idea what he’s doing.”
Charlotte nodded in agreement. “I think he loves her enough to make it work,” she said.
Cricket gave Charlotte a reassuring smile and picked up her cup. “Let’s hope so,” she said as they clinked their coffees together.
After being steeped in silence for several moments, Charlotte looked up at Cricket and sighed heavily. “Do you think just anyone can raise a child?” she asked as she stared out into the street from behind the counter.
Cricket seemed to ponder her question before answering. “I believe anyone can if they have the love and support needed to succeed.”
“That’s the thing. I think he is alone. He and Ivy are on their way to pick up his mother, but I get the feeling they aren’t close. Ivy doesn’t think her grandmother likes her.” Charlotte lifted her hands in the air. “Who wouldn’t love that little girl to pieces?” Charlotte gave her friend a small smile and then looked back down at the cup of coffee she had been sipping. She felt terrible for Bastien and wished there was something more she could do to help. “Do you know anything about his mother?”
Cricket shook her head. “Not much,” she said. “The rumor mill says she’s from Atlanta, but that’s all I know. Why would Chloe want Bastien to raise her daughter and not her mother?”
“Maybe they were estranged?”
“Or the mom’s deranged.”
Charlotte frowned. She didn't know how a single man was supposed to raise a child without family members’ help or support. “That poor man,” she murmured as she shook her head.
Cricket nodded in agreement, her face mirroring Charlotte’s sympathetic expression. “Is there anything we can do?” she asked, her voice thoughtful and concerned.
Charlotte sighed and looked up at Cricket thoughtfully. She knew Cricket was invested in the townsfolk's welfare, and Bastien was now part of this town.
“I don’t think there is anything we can do right now,” Charlotte said after a few moments of silence, her voice heavy with regret. “But I think it would be nice if we could check in on him every once in a while, and make sure he’s okay.”
Cricket nodded, though lines of worry still lingered on her forehead. She knew that while they couldn’t solve all of Bastien’s problems, they could at least provide moral support when needed. “I agree,” she said. “With you being next door, you’re in the best position to do that.”
Charlotte drained the last dregs of her coffee cup and nodded in agreement. She knew if Bastien needed anything, she could easily be there for him.
“That’s true,” Charlotte said after a moment of thought. “I’ll keep an eye on him and ensure he has what he needs.” She smiled warmly at Cricket and patted her hand reassuringly. “You don’t have to worry about Bastien. I’ll take care of him.”
Cricket smiled back at Charlotte. “I’m glad you’re here,” she said, her expression full of relief. “And I know Bastien will appreciate it too.” She paused for a moment before continuing, her voice serious now. “Just remember, though, that he might not be open to help or advice right away—he’ll need time to adjust.”
She and Bastien seemed to be kindred spirits because they both had to build something from nothing. He was building a family, and she a future.
“My break is over,” Cricket said as she hugged Charlotte. “I have to go.”
“I’ll see you soon.” Charlotte walked her to the door. As Cricket walked out, the postman walked in and handed her the mail.
