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“Just wonderful, honey. What can I get you?”
“I’ll have the fried chicken salad, ranch dressing, with a sweet tea, and I’d like to talk to you when you get a chance.”
“Oh. Okay. Let me get your order to Owen. Then I’ll be with you.”
“Thank you.”
Connie smiled, gave Owen the order, and walked to her.
“What do you need, hon?”
“I was told you sometimes rented the apartment above the diner.”
“I thought you were living with Fiona.”
She sighed. “I am, Connie, but her apartment above her shop is so little. I sleep on the sofa. I want my own place again.”
Connie smiled and then walked into the kitchen. Siobhan didn’t know if she’d upset her, but that was never her intention. She saw Connie leave the kitchen, pour a glass of sweet tea, and set it on the counter.
“Thank you,” Siobhan said. She was a little disappointed that Connie didn’t mention the apartment.
“And here.” Connie set a key on the counter. “You can check it out; if you like it, it’s yours. If you take it, you’ll have to go to the back of the building to the stairs, but since you’re just going to look, I’ll let you go out the service door. The stairs are next to it.”
“I love you, Connie.”
Connie chuckled. “Of course you do.”
“How much do you want monthly?”
“We can discuss that if you decide to take it.”
“Thank you so much. I love my grandmother, but don’t want to live with her.”
“I understand. You’re a young woman and should have your own place. I’m sure Fiona would understand.”
“I hope so.”
Connie touched her hand. “Of course, she will.”
Siobhan nodded and picked up the key. It shocked her that Connie didn’t hesitate to give it to her. She hoped she could afford it.
After her lunch, she asked Connie for the check and paid for it. Connie led her through the kitchen to the service door and opened it.
“These are the stairs. It’s probably a little dusty. No one has lived in it for a while now.”
“I can’t wait to see it. I won’t be long.”
“Take your time. Please don’t feel you have to take it. You’ll have to walk around if we’re busy and don’t hear you knock. I enjoy having someone upstairs, but only take it if you want.”
“Thank you, Connie. I’ll be downstairs in a few minutes.”
Connie nodded and closed the door. Siobhan stared up the stairs, then trudged up them to the stoop. She unlocked the door, shoved it open, entered the apartment, and fell in love with it. The kitchen had a bar separating it from the small living room. The front wall had tall windows that looked down over the street. She glanced down a hallway and then strode down it. A bedroom sat on each side of the hall, with a bathroom between them. When she looked into the bathroom, she laughed. If nothing else had her wanting this place, the clawfoot tub sold it for her.
She hadn’t realized furniture would be provided, which sealed the deal. She’d have to buy a bed, but that wasn’t a problem. It would be wonderful to sleep in a bed instead of a sofa made at a rock quarry. She shook her head. That wasn’t fair to her grandmother. Fiona cared more about her shop than where she lived, and Siobhan loved that about her.
After making her mind up, she stepped onto the stoop, closed the door, locked it, then ran down the stairs and around to the front door. She opened the door, then sat at the counter to wait for Connie.
When she made her way to her, she smiled.
