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I smile, taking my order book from my apron. “What can I get for you?”
She shakes her head and pats on the empty seat in her booth. “No, honey, I don’t want another order. I wanted to speak to you about Hannah.”
My body falls into the seat.
Not again.
Please don’t say she’s having a difficult time. I thought she would have told me.
Sensing my unease, she takes my hand. “You have nothing to worry about. She’s a gem.”
Pride swells in my chest.
“She’s a beautiful girl, but she’s more creative than she’s letting on.” She digs a hand into her bag and pulls out a sheet of paper. “I was going to wait until the parent teacher conferences to show you this, but I think you need to see it. I asked the kids to write a story about their favorite superhero, and every one of them wrote about the ones we already know. Batman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman, you name it. All but one child. I think you might want to see this.”
She hands me the piece of paper with a drawing on top of the page.
Mom, Logan, Me, Isabel, and Missy.
We’re all wearing capes.
In her words I find healing I never thought possible.
She thinks I’m a superhero.
And Logan… Logan is the protector of superheroes.
She describes how she asked him to protect me because even superhero moms need someone to look out for them.
“Can I keep this?” I ask, a stray tear slipping from my cheek.
“Of course.”
I finally look at her, tears be damned. “I’m so proud of her.”
She takes my hand with a gentle squeeze. “You should be.”
The bell dings over the door, but I hardly notice as I look over Hannah’s words. I don’t think I’ve appreciated how much Logan has become a part of their lives until now. How much effort he made just to have Hannah have a little trust in him.
My brain is only barely registering the voices at the counter, but then there’s something about the bass of the man’s voice that has my head snapping back just as he says, “I’m hoping you can help me. I’m looking for a Beth Ellison. I’ve been told she works here.”
The reporter.
He followed me.
Molly is quick when she answers. “Never heard of her.”
I fold Hannah’s paper and tuck it into my apron before going to the counter.
“It’s okay, Molly. I’ve got this.”
He smiles when I turn to him. I don’t smile back.
“We can talk outside.” He dips his chin and walks away. “Sorry, Molly. Is it okay if I take five minutes?”
“Sure, but is everything okay?”
I nod, trying to smile but it falters. “I’ll deal with it.”
