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Ironic timing. And when Phoebe shoots me a sheepish smile, it’s obvious she’s thinking the same thing.
“There’s my favorite niece.” He leans onto the counter with two hands. “What are you up to today?”
“Hey, Uncle Frank.” Phoebe peers at the menu on the wall, the letters peeled off to where most of it has to be deciphered. “You know I’m aware that I’m your only niece, right?”
“I do,” Frank agrees as he begins working.
On what, I’m not sure—neither of us has ordered.
“I’ll have a large caramel macchiato,” Phoebe says.
“No surprise there.” Frank chuckles. “I’ve got that started for you.”
“Just a large black coffee with a shot of hazelnut, please,” I tell him.
I pull out my wallet and hand him a twenty. When he hands me the change, I dump it into the tip jar. Even if he’s Phoebe’s family, he’s not mine, and I don’t want him to think I’m rude.
“I’ll bring it right out to you if y’all want to grab a seat.” Frank nods at us, but his eyes linger on me a moment before he turns back to the coffee.
We take the booth closest to the counter, and she picks up our conversation from before we ordered. “So, as I was going to say—some things are worth the wait.”
“Like what?”
“Well…babies, for one.” Her eyes light up. I can’t help but laugh.
“They better be.”
“What do you mean?”
“My daughter is taking a long-ass time to get here. We still have, like, five months to go!”
Something shifts between us, and Phoebe’s features seem to tighten. “You’re expecting?”
“Yep, Ashley, the mom, is due in May.” I pull out my phone and swipe to the ultrasound photos I have saved. “See, isn’t she cute?”
Phoebe stares at the screen, something sad lingering in her eyes. “She’s perfect. A little bean.”
“A coffee bean,” I joke, and Phoebe joins in on my laughter, but it doesn’t reach her eyes like the other chuckles I’ve witnessed today.
“Sorry to seem sad. It makes me miss my son, though.” She sighs wistfully.
“You said he’ll be home this summer, right? Is he close enough to visit?”
“He is. And I’m sure I will plenty of times before it’s his turn to come here. It’s just not the same to not have him come home every day and leave his shoes where I trip when I come in. Stuff like that.” She laughs. “A silly thing to complain about, I know.”
“Here you go, guys.” Frank approached us so silently that I didn’t realize he was near us. “If you need anything else, just give me a yell.”
“Why don’t you join us? You could use the break.” Phoebe smiles at him before taking a slow sip. “Oh my god. This is the best drink I’ve ever had.” She closes her eyes as she savors it.
Frank beams down at her. “That’s good to hear, Phoebe. It’s been really slow lately.” He slides into the booth beside his niece, his movements slow and jerky as if he’s in pain. “But your aunt can’t work like she used to, so maybe that’s kind of a blessing.” Frank’s smile falters, and Phoebe locks in on it immediately.
“Frank. What’s going on?”
“Oh, nothing.”
“Bullshit, Frank. I know you’re lying. You’re twiddling your thumbs.”
“Well. This isn’t how I wanted to tell you.” Frank nods toward me, and Phoebe waves me away.
